Latest news with #TirumalaTirupatiDevasthanams
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
TTD chairman Naidu rules out hike in Common Good Fund
TIRUMALA: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu on Wednesday categorically stated that the Board is not prepared to increase contributions to the Common Good Fund (CGF). In an interview with TNIE, Naidu said, 'the Endowments Department has issued a notice to TTD to raise its CGF contribution from the existing Rs 40 crore or contribute up to 9% of TTD's revenue. We are opposing this. There is no scope for increasing the CGF,' the Chairman affirmed. 'In 2022, the State Government handed over the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) to TTD. In the last board meeting, we resolved to recruit 499 medical and paramedical staff, which will incur wage expenses of Rs 141 crore annually—up from the earlier Rs 68 crore,' the TTD Chirman added. He further said, 'In addition, we are administering several educational institutions, providing recurring grants to universities, colleges, schools, and welfare organisations, and maintaining roads and providing other facilities in Tirupati. Considering all these responsibilities, increasing the CGF is not feasible.' Aadhaar verification for TTD services approved The Chairman announced that TTD has received permission from the Centre to verify Aadhaar cards while devotees avail of its services. 'Our request for Aadhaar verification has been approved. The verification fee will be Rs 0.70 per transaction,and transactions will be conducted through an authorised link,' he said.
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Tirumala witnesses heavy rush of devotees
Tirupati: The temple town of Tirumala remains crowded with a massive influx of devotees, many of whom have been waiting for nearly 24 hours in queue lines to have a darshan of Lord Venkateswara. The influx has persisted since Friday night, with the additional queue lines set up near the Silathoranam point continuing to witness high footfall even on Tuesday. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been struggling to manage the overwhelming number of visitors, as existing facilities for accommodation and other services are stretched to capacity. Long queues have spilled out of the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, extending into the Narayanagiri Gardens and stretching up to 2–3 kilometre along the Outer Ring Road. According to TTD officials, 92,221 pilgrims had darshan of the deity on Saturday, followed by 80,193 on Sunday and 74,149 on Monday. By 6 pm on Tuesday, more than 50,000 pilgrims had already completed darshan, while thousands more remained in the extended lines. It may be noted here that darshan commenced only after 12 noon on Tuesday as a sacred ritual, 'Koil Alwar Tirumanajanam' was performed in the morning. Despite the TTD's efforts to create additional queue shelters with roofing and improve crowd management, the long walking distances and prolonged waiting periods have posed difficulties, particularly for the elderly and children. Acting on the instructions of TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao and under the supervision of Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, senior officers have been monitoring the situation on the ground to ensure smoother movement and better services for pilgrims. TTD has also arranged for the supply of Annaprasadam, drinking water, and security to manage the crowd effectively. TTD has requested devotees to be patient and prepared for extended wait times during their visit, given the continued heavy rush. Meanwhile, TTD received Rs 4.72 crore from hundi collections on Monday followed by Rs 4.43 crore on Sunday.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
TTD Announces Tirumala Darshan and Room Booking Dates for October
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has officially unveiled the schedule for the release of Tirumala Srivari Darshan and room quotas for the month of October. The ticket release dates are as follows: - Arjitha Seva tickets will be available online from 10 am on July 19. - E-Seva Lucky Dip registration is open until 10 am on July 21, with payment for Lucky Dip tickets accepted until noon on July 23. - The special services ticket release, including Kalyanotsavam, Oonjal Seva, Arjitha Brahmotsavam, Sahasradeepalankara Seva, and Pushpayagam, will begin at 10 am on July 22. - Angapradakshina tokens will be released on July 23 at 10 am. - The Srivani Trust online quota will become available on July 23 at 11 am. - Free special darshan for the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill individuals will be offered from 3 pm on July 23. - Special entry darshan tickets priced at Rs. 300 will be released on July 24 at 10 am. - Room bookings for Tirumala and Tirupati will commence on July 24 at 3 pm.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
TTD to observe ‘Anivara Asthanam' tomorrow
Tirupati: TirumalaTirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is gearing up for the annual observance of Anivara Asthanam on July 16, a long-standing temple tradition that marks the formal transition to a new accounting year at the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara. Unlike many of the more visibly grand religious celebrations in Tirumala, Anivara Asthanam unfolds within the sanctum sanctorum with solemnity and spiritual purpose. It is during this internal ritual that the TTD's principal officers submit the previous year's financial accounts before the deity, seeking divine approval to continue in their respective roles. The ritual reflects the Agamic concept of 'Asthanam,' or divine court, underscoring the Lord's authority in temple administration. Historically, this ritual originated during the period when Mahants oversaw the temple's management. It was then held on the final day of the Tamil month of Ani — hence the name 'Anivara Asthanam' — signalling the start of financial preparations for the coming year. On the day, new account ledgers are ceremonially introduced, and key administrative symbols, including the sacred coffer key-bunch known as 'Lachana,' are placed at the feet of the presiding deity. The Jeeyangar Swamijis will present new garments to the Moolavirat and to the utsava murtis of Lord Malayappa Swamy, Sridevi, and Bhudevi, who are placed on Sarvabhoopala Vahanam within the sanctum, accompanied by Viswaksena. A special ritual known as 'Rupayi Harati' follows, wherein temple staff involved in the proceedings each offer a rupee as symbolic submission, and the total offerings are then tallied in the presence of the TTD Executive Officer. As part of the festival arrangements, Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam, the traditional purification of the sanctum and temple surroundings, will be carried out on July 15 from 6 am, using herbal ingredients called 'Parimalam'. Due to this, devotees will be allowed for darshan after 12 noon on July 15. Also, VIP Break Darshan and select Arjitha Sevas stand cancelled. In the evening on July 16. Pushpa Pallaki procession will be conducted, adding a visual flourish to the otherwise administrative and spiritually symbolic observance.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New trust boards for more than 1100 temples across Andhra in August: Endowments minister Anam
. TIRUPATI: State endowments minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy has said that the Andhra Pradesh government will simultaneously constitute new trust boards for more than 1100 temples across the state in August. Speaking to reporters after a high level meeting of the endowments department with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams held at Tirumala on Saturday, the endowments minister attributed the delay in constituting new temple trust boards to the reluctance among the chairmans and board members appointed by the erstwhile YSRCP government in stepping down from their posts on moral grounds after a regime change in the state. S by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo hifting his focus to the meeting held with the TTD top brass including chairman BR Naidu, EO J Syamala Rao, Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and Endowments department secretary V Vinay Chand, Anam explained that there was an elaborate discussion on the Common good fund (CGF) on whether to fix up a lumpsum contribution from the TTD to the state government or go with the 9% on overall annual revenues model every year. 'A decision on this will be arrived at soon by the chief minister, who will take into account everyone's considerations and take a final call on the issue', the Endowments minister said. Another key issue that came up for discussion was the delay in the disbursal of Srivani trust funds meant for the construction of Hindu temples in religious conversion-prone regions of the state. 'Funds to the tune of Rs 147 cr has been blocked by the TTD as user certificates related to the expenditure incurred on earlier disbursed funds to the tune of Rs 107 cr were not submitted to the Tirupati trust. We have informed the TTD that the UCs will be submitted in due course of time and requested them to release the next tranche of Rs 147 cr funds and the TTD top brass positively responded on the issue', Anam added. Responding to the union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay's remarks of over 1000 non-Hindus working in the TTD, the state endowments minister asserted that it is a fact that there are several non-Hindus working in the Tirupati trust. There is a strong sentiment among a majority of Hindus that non-believers cannot be allowed to be on the payrolls of the TTD, and both the state government and the Tirupati trust respect their sentiments. 'While it has already been decided by the AP government and the TTD to oust the non-Hindus from the organisation, all possible means, including legal aspects, are being explored to expedite their ouster,' Anam clarified. Another key issue that came up for discussion was the proposals from the Vijayawada Kanaka Durga temple authorities to seek TTD's support in executing their plans for a twin ghat road project. 'There is a land parcel of about 2 acres close to the Indrakeeladri temple, which was donated by a devotee to the TTD. Since there exists no mechanism where in one temple trust can shift the ownership of land received as donation to another temple trust, we have asked the TTD authorities to consider the possibility of leasing out this land parcel after holding due consultations with the donor who donated it to the TTD. If this proposal materialises, it will help immensely in terms of de-congesting the existing road infrastructure around the Indrakeeladri temple at Vijayawada', Endowments minister added.
