Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh (AP) government, on Friday, asked temples not to celebrate New Year’s Eve or the New Year as they “were not part of the Hindu culture and ethos”.
In a circular, the Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Trust (HDPT), part of the AP endowments department, said, “As per Hindu tradition, Ugadi is New Year for Telugus... and people should offer prayers on that day and temples should organise festivities then.”
The circular was issued on the instructions of endowments commissioner YV Anuradha. HDPT secretary Vijayaragahavacharyulu said “New Year was just an event in the western calendar, while Ugadi marks the onset of a season and change in astrological position.”
Another controversy broke out in Sri Venkateswar a University in Tirupati when Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders objected to Christmas celebrations.
A video showing a VHP leader objecting to the celebrations went viral on Friday.
