<p>"The impact is substantial both in terms of the flow of pilgrims and offerings. But it has picked up in the last two days," I Y R Krishna Rao, Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), said here.<br />He said he cannot give the figures about the fall in the number of pilgrims immediately.<br />The Tirupati temple is visited by 50,000 to 1,00,000 devotees every day.<br />Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy said the 'bandh' calls have affected the number of devotees visiting various temples in the state.<br />"The buses run by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) become the first target in times of agitation. So naturally, it will have impact on the pilgrims travelling.<br />"Of course, this is 'Dhanurmasa', during which the flow pilgrims is generally low," he said.<br />The Minister said the government has planned to raise a security force for the protection of temple properties, set up an institution to apprise the gold donations to the temple and also a tribunal to settle the number of dispute cases over temple lands.<br />The 'Kalyana Mantapams' run by TTD in a number of cities and towns across Andhra Pradesh would be handed over to local temples, Reddy said. <br /><br />The government would strengthen 'Veda Pathashalas' run by it and also take steps for popularising Sanskrit, he said.<br />A tribunal for the welfare of 'archakas' (priests) would be set up, the Minister said.<br />Meanwhile, the State government and TTD would jointly organise the 'Bhaja Govindam' programme on December 28 on the auspicious occasion of 'Vaikunta Ekadasi'.<br />Bhajans, recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama and other religious texts would be held, Reddy added.</p>
<p>"The impact is substantial both in terms of the flow of pilgrims and offerings. But it has picked up in the last two days," I Y R Krishna Rao, Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), said here.<br />He said he cannot give the figures about the fall in the number of pilgrims immediately.<br />The Tirupati temple is visited by 50,000 to 1,00,000 devotees every day.<br />Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy said the 'bandh' calls have affected the number of devotees visiting various temples in the state.<br />"The buses run by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) become the first target in times of agitation. So naturally, it will have impact on the pilgrims travelling.<br />"Of course, this is 'Dhanurmasa', during which the flow pilgrims is generally low," he said.<br />The Minister said the government has planned to raise a security force for the protection of temple properties, set up an institution to apprise the gold donations to the temple and also a tribunal to settle the number of dispute cases over temple lands.<br />The 'Kalyana Mantapams' run by TTD in a number of cities and towns across Andhra Pradesh would be handed over to local temples, Reddy said. <br /><br />The government would strengthen 'Veda Pathashalas' run by it and also take steps for popularising Sanskrit, he said.<br />A tribunal for the welfare of 'archakas' (priests) would be set up, the Minister said.<br />Meanwhile, the State government and TTD would jointly organise the 'Bhaja Govindam' programme on December 28 on the auspicious occasion of 'Vaikunta Ekadasi'.<br />Bhajans, recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama and other religious texts would be held, Reddy added.</p>