Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 19: The Karnataka Muzrai Department has revised service fees at nine prominent temples under its jurisdiction, with the new rates coming into effect from October 1.

The state’s Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments oversees around 35,000 temples. Of these, nine temples sought revisions as no changes had been made for the past four to five years. After verification by Agama scholars, the department approved a 5–10% hike in service charges.

Muzrai minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that the decision was taken by the temple management committees and not the state government.

Temples with revised fees:

• Bengaluru city: Yoga Narasimhaswamy Temple, Nandi Teertha Temple, Mahaganapati Temple (Malleswaram)
• Chikkaballapur: Vidurashwatha Narayanaswamy Temple, Venkataramana Temple (Talakaya Betta)
• Dakshina Kannada: Mahalingeshwara Temple (Puttur), Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, Sautadka Mahaganapati Temple, Suryanarayana Swamy Temple (Marali)

At the famed Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, the revision comes after 15 years, with the Ashlesha Pooje fee increased from Rs 400 to Rs 500, and Naagapratishta charges also raised from Rs 400 to Rs 500, along with hikes in other services.

Devotees visiting these temples will now have to pay the revised charges for rituals and services starting October 1.