Temples: history, architecture and distribution

[Guest]

I've been reading about the controversy surrounding state control of temple funds and how some of the funds donated by pilgrims are being used by the state for non-temple activities etc. Is there any way of bypassing this if I want to donate money to a temple and ensure that it does go to the temple?

I've had vastly differing experiences whilst visiting temples in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. We had people pressuring us to give them money, including 'guides' and various priests - some of whom got quite nasty. So our driver told us to ignore anyone who asked us for money and simply to put any donation straight into the handi. After reading about state misuse of temple funds, I'm starting to wonder about this too.

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