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Hans India
23-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
SC junks plea for use of indigenous cow milk for Tirumala rituals
Tirupati: Hearing a petition that sought exclusive use of indigenous cow milk for rituals at the famed Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, remarking that matters of devotion should not be confined by breed distinctions and urging the petitioner to approach the appropriate High Court instead. The petition was filed by Yuga Thulasi Foundation and others against TTD and others. A bench comprising Justices M M Sundaresh and N Kotiswar Singh, while hearing the matter, guided the petitioner to approach the respective High Court instead. 'A cow is a cow,' remarked Justice Sundaresh, underlining that distinctions based on cow breeds, languages, or regions are human constructs. 'God belongs to everyone. Can we then claim that God prefers only local cow milk?' he said, cautioning against injecting divisive interpretations into religious practices. The petitioner's counsel had argued that the Agama Shastras prescribe the use of milk from native Indian breeds in temple rituals and pointed out that TTD itself had previously passed a resolution supporting such practices. The plea, the lawyer insisted, was aimed at enforcing TTD's own stated commitment. However, the bench queried whether there was any binding legal framework backing such a demand. Upon being referred to prior constitutional judgments, the court was not convinced to admit the case and declined to interfere. 'Shall we also then ask whether Tirupati laddus should be made exclusively from indigenous ingredients?' Justice Sundaresh remarked in a lighter vein, before allowing the petitioner to withdraw the plea with the liberty to move the High Court. Justice Sundaresh said that devotion must manifest through compassion for all life forms rather than by creating artificial divides. 'Many pressing issues demand the court's attention. My observations were made with utmost respect to religious sentiments', he added. Meanwhile, it was learnt that the temple's cattle shelters house over 3,000 indigenous cows of breeds like Ongole, Gir, and Sahiwal. These cows already supply milk for rituals such as the sacred Abhishekam performed for the deity.
Hans India
23-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
SC junks plea for use of indigenous cow milk at Tirumala rituals
Tirupati: Hearing a petition that sought exclusive use of indigenous cow milk for rituals at the famed Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, remarking that matters of devotion should not be confined by breed distinctions and urging the petitioner to approach the appropriate High Court instead. The petition was filed by Yuga Thulasi Foundation and others against TTD and others. A bench comprising Justices MM Sundaresh and N Kotiswar Singh, while hearing the matter, guided the petitioner to approach the respective High Court instead. 'A cow is a cow,' remarked Justice Sundaresh, underlining that distinctions based on cow breeds, languages, or regions are human constructs. 'God belongs to everyone. Can we then claim that God prefers only local cow milk?' he asked, cautioning against injecting divisive interpretations into religious practices. The petitioner's counsel had argued that the Agama Shastras prescribe the use of milk from native Indian breeds in temple rituals and pointed out that TTD itself had previously passed a resolution supporting such practices. The plea, the lawyer insisted, was aimed at enforcing TTD's own stated commitment. However, the bench queried whether there was any binding legal framework backing such a demand. Upon being referred to prior constitutional judgments, the court was not convinced to admit the case and declined to interfere. 'Shall we also then ask whether Tirupati laddus should be made exclusively from indigenous ingredients?' Justice Sundaresh remarked in a lighter vein, before allowing the petitioner to withdraw the plea with the liberty to move the High Court. Justice Sundaresh said that devotion must manifest through compassion for all life forms rather than by creating artificial divides. 'Many pressing issues demand the court's attention. My observations were made with utmost respect to religious sentiments', he added. Meanwhile, it was learnt that the temple's cattle shelters house over 3,000 indigenous cows of breeds like Ongole, Gir, and Sahiwal. These cows already supply milk for rituals such as the sacred Abhishekam performed for the deity.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SC dismisses petition on indigenous cow milk for TTD
Vijayawada: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking directions to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to ensure that the milk used in offerings to Lord Venkateswara comes from indigenous cows only. The apex court observed that there are much more important issues to address and stated that true love for God lies in serving fellow living beings, not in such matters. Shiva Shankar Kolisetty, chairman of Yuga Thulasi Foundation, Hyderabad, along with three others filed a petition before the apex court. They contended that, according to Agama Shastras, milk from indigenous cows should be used for worship, preparation of offerings to Lord Venkateswara, as well as in anna prasadam. The counsel for the petitioners argued that TTD earlier passed a resolution but is not implementing it. He included the TTD chairman, EO, and AEO as party respondents. However, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Koteswar Singh, was not inclined to entertain the petition. The bench observed that there was no need to pass any directions on the matter and indicated that they were going to dismiss the petition. The counsel for the petitioner requested the bench to withdraw the petition, to which the bench agreed and noted it as dismissed and withdrawn.
New Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
In a first, helipad proposed at Navi Mumbai's Lord Venkateswara temple awaits TTD nod
TIRUMALA: The Lord Venkateswara temple under construction in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, is nearing completion but faces a new challenge regarding a proposed temporary helipad on its 10-acre site. The donor, Raymond Consumer Care Limited, has requested the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to consider developing a helipad on Plot No 3, Sector 12, allotted by the Maharashtra government through the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). However, site engineers have informed Raymond that there is no provision or approval for a helipad in the commencement certificate issued by CIDCO. Raymond has urged TTD to bring the matter to the attention of its management for a decision. TTD's Chief Engineer noted in official files that a helipad could serve as an emergency service provision and a secure entry-exit point for VVIPs, significantly reducing travel time. However, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao clarified that the proposed helipad would not be part of the core temple construction but within the temple premises. 'No permission has been granted yet for setting up of helipad at Lord Venkateswara temple in Navi Mumbai, as we are evaluating all parameters, including Agama Shastras,' Shyamala Rao told TNIE.
