Odisha hikes grant for around 4000 Hindu temples from Rs 5cr to Rs 7.5 crore

In a significant move aimed at strengthening the maintenance and functioning of religious institutions, the State Government on Saturday increased the financial assistance provided to Hindu temples across Odisha.

According to information presented in the Odisha Assembly, the government has enhanced the total grant amount from the earlier Rs 5 crore to Rs 7 crore 50 lakh, marking an increase of Rs 2.5 crore over the previous allocation.

Grants From State Government:

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, in a written reply to a question raised by MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, informed that more than 18,000 Hindu temples are currently under the jurisdiction of the Devasthan (Endowment) Commission.

Out of these, 4,145 temples receive direct financial grants from the State Government every year to support their operations, rituals, and regular upkeep.

The revised grant is expected to provide much-needed support to temples, especially smaller religious institutions that rely heavily on government aid for daily functioning. With the increased allocation, the government aims to ensure that these temples can carry out essential religious activities smoothly and maintain proper infrastructure for devotees.

Preserving Cultural & Religious Heritage

Officials stated that the enhanced fund will help temples manage expenses such as maintenance, electricity, rituals, and other operational needs more effectively. The move is also seen as part of the government’s broader commitment to preserving cultural and religious heritage in the state.

With this decision, thousands of temples under the Endowment Commission are set to benefit, strengthening religious infrastructure and enhancing service delivery to devotees across Odisha.