Latest news with #HDPP
Hans India
23-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
HDPP lines up a slew of religious programmes
Tirumala: TTD Trust Board chairman B R Naidu along with the EO J Syamala Rao released the calendar of events by Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP) wing of TTD on Tuesday. The release event to place at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala after the board meeting. The chairman said so many dharmic activities which were shelved in the past have been revived with a range of innovative spiritual programmes. The HDPP will be organising Sadgamaya aimed at inculcating ethical values among children which commences on July 28. Other programmes include Sowbhagyam on August 8 on the auspicious occasion of Varalakshmi Vratam. Sanmargam involving free distribution of devotional books among prison inmates will be conducted on August 15 while Harikatha Vaibhavam aimed at imparting training in Harikatha on August 31. Mana Varasatvam and Akshara Govind will be observed on October 2, a one day spiritual programme that focuses on youth-the sacred Bhagavt Gita Anusthanam on December 1, traditional Bhajana training programme for Children, Bhaje Srinivasam during summer vacation next year. The HDPP has also mulled a programme to protect the environment by name Vananidhi and Srinivasa Kalyanams in tribal areas under the name Giri Janardhanam. TTD additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and other board members were also present.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
TTD to gift spiritual books to Tirumala pilgrims
Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is set to launch a free book distribution initiative to deepen public understanding of Sanatana Dharma and push back against religious conversions. The 'Pustaka Prasadam' will be distributed to devotees visiting the Tirumala temple. The initiative, still in its early stages, has been conceived under the leadership of TTD chairman B R Naidu and will be carried out by the Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP). While the books will be made available to all, there will be a special focus on reaching people in remote and marginalised communities, such as Dalit colonies, tribal hamlets, and agency areas, where access to spiritual resources is often limited. A wide range of texts are being prepared for distribution, including Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam, Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Venkateswara Suprabhatam, Bhaja Govindam, Lalita Sahasranamam, Shiva Stotram, and biographies of revered saints and spiritual figures. The aim is to make these works part of everyday life for those who may not otherwise encounter them. On Tuesday, HDPP officials handed over the first printed copies to chairman Naidu at the Tirumala Camp Office, marking the beginning of what the TTD hopes will become a wide-reaching movement. Along with community-level distribution, these books will also be placed inside the Vaikuntham Queue Complex at Tirumala, giving pilgrims something meaningful to engage with while they wait for darshan. What's noteworthy is that this entire project is being funded through donations. Individuals and organisations have come forward to cover the printing costs, meaning TTD's regular funds won't be touched. The programme will first be rolled out in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with plans to expand to other states gradually. TTD also intends to translate the material into different Indian languages to make it accessible to a broader audience. The TTD chairman has directed that the rollout be carried out in phases, with a clear focus on spiritual education and cultural awareness. At its heart, the initiative seeks to help people reconnect with the roots of their faith, especially those in communities that may be most vulnerable to outside influences.
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Hans India
Fraud targeting artists busted in Tirumala
Tirupati: A large-scale fraud targeting thousands of aspiring artists was uncovered in Tirumala, with police arresting a man who allegedly exploited the name of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to collect lakhs of rupees under false pretences. Sutrapu Abhishek, a resident of Kazipet in Warangal district, was arrested by Tirumala One Town Police late on Tuesday, and Rs.14 lakh in cash was seized from him. Abhishek is accused of running two cultural organisations, Annamacharya Arts Academy and Annamayya Sahithi Kala Vikasa Parishad, through which he collected money from over 2,900 artists belonging to 93 art troupes from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He promised them an opportunity to perform in a two-day dance programme titled 'Srinivasa Kalaarchana' at the prestigious Asthana Mandapam in Tirumala, falsely claiming that the event was authorised by TTD and Hindu Dharma Prachar Parishad (HDPP). Police said the accused charged participants between Rs.2,000 and Rs.5,000, promising arrangements such as accommodation, darshan of Lord Venkateswara, prasadam, and mementos. Participation letters, ID cards, and time slots were issued to the artists, giving the impression of official sanction. Although Abhishek had initially secured limited permission from HDPP, TTD cancelled the approval after receiving complaints about money collection. He then approached the High Court, which directed TTD to conduct a Vigilance probe and allowed 1,200 artists to perform on June 27 and 28. The situation turned chaotic when over 2,000 artists arrived at the venue, far exceeding the permitted number. With only 600 allowed per day, many were denied entry, leading to protests and confusion. Following inquiries, police confirmed that the entire operation was unauthorised and fraudulent. Abhishek was taken into custody and produced before the Tirupati court on Wednesday.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Time of India
Tirumala police arrest man for cheating artists with fake cultural event
Vijayawada: Tirumala I Town police arrested an accused on charges of cheating and illegally collecting money from artists and cultural groups by promising to organise a two-day 'Srinivasa Kalarchana' cultural programme at Tirumala Asthana Mandapam in Tirumala. The police seized Rs 14 lakh from the possession of the accused, identified as Suthrapu Abhishek (28), a native of Kazipet, Warangal district of Telangana. According to the police, the accused collected around Rs 35 lakh from a total of 93 cultural groups, consisting of 9,300 artists across the two Telugu states, promising to provide food, accommodation, darshan, prasad, mementos, and a shawl from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), besides organising a two-day dance cultural performance with them at Tirumala. However, the accused, who had no authorisation from TTD, collected money from artists by misusing the names of TTD and Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP). The police said a case was filed against the accused at Tirumala I Town police station under sections 316(2) and 318(4) of the BNS Act. Special teams, led by SI D Ramesh Babu and staff, under the supervision of CI G Vijaya Kumar, were formed on the directions of Tirumala DSP Vijaya Sekhar to apprehend the accused. During the investigation, SI Ramesh and his team arrested the accused on Tuesday, seized Rs 14 lakh from his possession, and produced him before the Tirupati magistrate, who sent him to judicial remand. The police department urged artists and cultural organisations to be vigilant against fraudulent individuals and informed them that no individual or organisation can organise any event without the permission of TTD and HDPP.
Hans India
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Cultural event at Tirumala sparks uproar over alleged fraud
Tirupati: A cultural programme scheduled at Tirumala's Asthana Mandapam on Friday descended into confusion and protest, as more than 2,000 artistes, many of whom had paid to participate, arrived expecting to perform, only to find entry restricted to a fraction of them. The programme, titled Sri Srinivasa Kalaarchana, was initially cleared by the Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP), with approval for performances on June 21. However, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) later revoked the permission after receiving complaints that the organiser had collected money from the performers in exchange for slots. The organiser, Abhishek from Khajipet in Telangana, is said to be running two cultural organisations - Annamacharya Arts Academy and Annamayya Sahithi Kala Vikasa Parishad. Victims allege that he collected amounts between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 from participants under the pretext of securing legitimate performance opportunities in Tirumala. Following the cancellation of the original event, Abhishek approached the High Court. The court, while taking note of the irregularities, directed the TTD to allow performances by 1,200 artistes, 600 each on June 27 and 28, and ordered a vigilance inquiry to be completed within four weeks. Despite the clear order, the turnout on Friday far exceeded expectations. With only 600 artistes permitted for the day, hundreds of artistes were left outside the venue, sparking protests and allegations of mismanagement and betrayal. Protesters demanded that all artistes who had paid be allowed to perform as promised. TTD vigilance and local police rushed to manage the situation and held discussions with the agitating crowd. Following instructions from senior officials, the remaining artistes were eventually allowed to perform, temporarily easing the tensions. The organiser's manager has since been taken into custody for questioning, and TTD vigilance officials have initiated a formal investigation into the incident, based on complaints lodged by affected artistes.
