G.O.Rt.No.332 Dated: 28-04-2015. Constitution
of Bhajana Mandalis under the auspices of Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Trust
(HDPT) in the Endowments Department – Formulation of guidelines - Orders - Issued.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ABSTRACT
ENDOWMENTS
DEPARTMENT – Constitution of Bhajana Mandalis under the auspices of Hindu
Dharma Parirakshana Trust (HDPT) in the Endowments Department – Formulation of
guidelines - Orders - Issued.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
REVENUE
(ENDOWMENTS.I) DEPARTMENT
G.O.Rt.No.333 Dated: 28-04-2015.
Read the following
-o0o-
ORDER:-
From times immemorial, temples have
functioned as centres of Dharmik activities, social congregations, religious
folk performances, fairs and festivals, spiritual discourses and Dharmik
pronouncements. Social coherence,
spiritual effulgence, emotional integration and community discipline are the
positive impacts of the temples across the country. It has been said that temple culture has
largely contributed to national integration and national discipline in terms of
social unification and individual development.
In all these cases, the local bhajan mandals have played a predominant
role.
2. The folk arts and the demonstration of
theatrical and stage-based performances have significantly contributed to the growth
of Bhajana mandalis.
3. The Bhajana Mandalis have been in
existence right from the advent of the Bhakthi movement launched by the
religious reformers over 1000 years, may be from the time of Ramanujacharya and
Madhvacharya in the South especially according
to one count. With the intervention of non-Hindu organizations, the Bhajana
Mandalis in the villages in particular and towns in general have started
gradually degenerating. Dharma
Pracharam, being the core activity of the Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Trust
(HDPT) has to focus on this vital subject and galvanize the stake holders of
the Hindu temples and launch the activity of Dharma Pracharam by starting or
strengthening the existing Bhajana Mandalis under each temple. Hence, the immediate need for composition,
constitution and promotion of Bhajana Mandalis under each temple in a spirit of
religious renaissance and the following guidelines are formulated:-
I)
COMPOSITION:
a)
It is decided to start at least one Bhajana Mandali
initially under each temple at the village level, with the local members of the
Hindu community and one or more Bhajana Mandalis in the urban areas, for men,
women and children each separately as far as practicable.
b) Each Bhajana Mandali may consist of 25 members with
due representation for women and prominent Pandits.
c)
Good singers and Sankeertandars and Mala Dasaras,
wherever present, may be included.
d) A prominent / accredited Swamiji in the area may be
requested to preside over the Bhajana Mandali.
e)
It is also for consideration to include each and
every popular religious dignitary or personality in each Bhajana Mandali for
proper guidance.
f) Philanthropists, sponsors or donors who are
like-minded must also be encouraged to form Bhajana Mandalis.
g) This Bhajana mandali should be attached to each
temple in the village.
II) WORKING PATTERN:
a)
Each Bhajana mandali is expected to organize
Bhajans on daily basis for at least one hour during 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm or
otherwise convenient and on the rest of the days for more hours, depending upon
the convenience of the members.
b)
Bhajans may be specially organized on festive days
and on the days of special importance like Ekadasi etc.
c)
It is expected that each Bhajana Mandali maintains
a kind of attendance register to streamline its functioning and identify those
who demonstrate interest and inclination in the promotion of the Bhajana
Mandali and also for appropriate recognition and honour on special
occasions.
d)
The Bhajana Mandalis already empanelled by Hindu
Dharma Prachara Parishad of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams will also coexist
alongside the newly organized Bhajana Mandalis.
e)
Bhajana Mandalis may also be promoted to function
as Temple Brigades (protection
groups), Sevadals, Prasadam-distributors, Event Managers and self-help groups
during important occasions and festivals organized by the temple.
f)
The temple management may provide Bhajana items
such as musical items (Talams / dolaks / Tabala / Sruthi etc.) to each Bhajana
Mandali for performing Bhajans from its own resources or through public
sponsors. However, Bhajan items may be
kept in safecustody of the temple.
g)
CDs and DVDs relating to Bhajans may also be
provided to the Bhajana Mandali by the temple.
III) DRESS CODE:
The
members of Bhajana Mandalis have to wear traditional dress, or at least a
saffron scraf as to maintain a distinct identity.
IV) PRASADAM DISTRIBUTION:
It must be ensured that Daiva Prasadam
must be arranged by the temple management to all the members without fail at
the end of the Bhajan. It may also be
arranged by the donors. The Prasadam may
be in form of Pulihora, Chakra Pongal, Dadhyojanam, sundal or any other good
item of reasonable quantity.
V) BHAJAN MELAS:
It is the key objective of all Temples
to strengthen and promote Dharma Pracharam as it keeps people in peace and
promotes community harmony. It is only
possible when large number of people are enlisted as members in Bhajana
Mandalis and fully involved in its vibrant functioning. People’s participation is inseparably
intertwined with the temple-based management of any fairs and festivals.
4. Therefore, a kind of competition among
the Bhajana Mandalis at the local, regional and central level has to be carefully
planned, designed and organized.
Appropriate recognition of the demonstration of talent in terms of
singing, rendering and organizing in chorus will be given by issuing
certificates and gifts at various levels.
A detailed plan in this regard will be worked out by the Deputy
Commissioners of Endowments Department in consultation with the Director,
SITA. Bhajana competitions will be organized
accordingly at the village level, district level, regional level and state
level. The meritorious Bhajana Mandalis
will be honoured with Certificates and gifts in form of mementos and Bhajana
instruments.
5. However, the winners at the state level
competition will be provided with an opportunity of visiting prominent temples
such as Tirupati, Dwaraka Tirumala, Srisailam, Simhachalam, Sri Kalahasthi etc.
at the cost of the Endowments Department as a special recognition.
6. The Commissioner, Endowments Department,
Andhra Pradesh shall take necessary action accordingly.
(BY ORDER AND IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNOR OF
ANDHRA PRADESH)
J.S.V.PRASAD,
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT.
To
The
Commissioner, Endowments Department, A.P. Hyderabad.
Copy
to:
P.S.
to M. (Endt.)
P.S.
to Prl. Secy. (Endt.)
SF/SC
//FORWARDED::BY
ORDER//
SECTIOIN OFFICER
