Covid 19: Financial support for temple priests likely, hints Kota Poojary

Udupi: Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary on Saturday said that the issue of offering financial support to temple priests has been discussed with the Chief Minister.

Speaking to reporters here Poojary informed that decision on allowing public darshan at temples will be taken after studying the pros and cons. An announcement in this regard will be made soon.

Usually a high influx of devotees is seen in temples in the months of April and May. However, amid the lockdown restrictions gathering at religious places have been prohibited. Poojary estimated the revenue loss arising out of the lockdown at Rs 150 crore for the temples.

He further informed that the government was planning to start online services for benefit of devotees.

“As many as 34,000 priests working in Muzrai temples in Kundapur will be provided with grocery kits and around 1000 priests in Udupi will be offered groceries at Kollur Mookambika temple,” Poojary added.