In a controversial decision the Endowment department of Andhra Pradesh has asked Temples to not celebrate New Year on January 1st.

A notification (Rc.No.29/HDPT/2017) issued by the Hindu Dharma Prachara Trust of endowments department on 21 December is signed by its secretary Dr Chilakapati Vijaya Raghava Charyulu. The notification points how "Christian era" (Gregorian calendar) was being followed and the Telugu new year 'Ugadi' in 'Chaitra Masam' is the actual new year as per Hindu tradition.

"Greeting and holding celebrations on January 1 is not in line with the Indian Vedic System. Further, it has come to the notice of the Commissioner (Endowments) that the English culture has spread to the temples and the temples are extending greetings to devotees and are spending lakhs of rupees on floral decorations and welcome banners for the New Year which is not appropriate and in accordance with the Hindu tradition''

The communication also said that spending money donated by devotees on January 1 is not correct.

The notification issued by Andhra government The notification issued by Andhra government

The notification is sent to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and all officials of the Endowment department directing them to take necessary steps to insure the implementation of the order.

While the order has attracted a huge applause from the Hindu organisations it is also being criticized.

The Endowment minister of Andhra Pradesh P. Manikyala Rao is from BJP and has RSS background.

Meanwhile an online campaign has been started by Bharata Punarutthana Trust in neighbouring state of Karnataka, requesting its CM Siddaramaiah to not celebrate Jan 1 2018 as new year in any of the government administered Temples & not to use temple funds for any celebrations.