Jul 13, 2014
No requests made to Telangana ministers
Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple (Photo: DC archives)
It has also put a big question mark on whether Telangana state will get a representation on the Tirumala Tirupati Devast-hanams (TTD) Board manning one of the world’s richest temple, which has now gone to Andhra Pradesh.
Will Telangana CM get the coveted Mahadwaram darshanam limited to VVIPs like Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors and Chief Minister of the concerned state is another moot point.
With the State bifurcation and one of the world’s richest Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (annual income of over Rs 2,000 crore) at Tirumala going to AP along with other famous temples like Srisailam, Simhachalam, Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala and others, Telangana will have no say in the temple affairs.
Ever since formation of Telangana and AP states, there were no recommendation letters issued to devotees for darshan and accommodation in Tirumala from CMO of Telangana.
Devotees are also not pestering T ministers for letters for fear of them not being honoured.
“We have not issued any recommendation letter for darshan till date,” CPRO to Chief Minister of Telangana said. Enquiries from T ministers peshis too found that not even a handful of pilgrims sought recommendation letters. Sources revealed that many devotees were taking letters from AP ministers since they are honoured by TTD.
“Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala has gone to AP. We have no say in the temple affairs. Government of AP and its Chief Minister will decide whom to nominate on TTD board. There is no rule to include this or that state,” Dr K.V. Ramanachary, Adviser to Government, Endowments, Cultural Affairs, told this newspaper.
Asked whether Telangana Chief Minister is entitled to darshan of the Lord Venkateswara Swami from Mahadwaram limited to VVIPs, he said as per TTD protocol Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Chief Minister of the concerned State (Andhra Pradesh) are entitled to darshan through the Mahadwaram (main entrance).
“Andhra Pradesh government will have to decide,” he added. But what raises curiosity is the combination of the next TTD board which will be revamped shortly. Over the years TTD board (presently headed by Mr Bapi Raju) has bigwigs from Telangana and Seemandhra, neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from where thousands of pilgrims visit annually.
At present there is one member from Telangana on TTD Board, former MLA, Mr Repala Srinivas. The board headed by Mr K Bapi Raju includes, Mr L.R. Sivaprasad (Chennai), Dr N Kanniah (Chennai), Mr Raghunath Vishwanathrao Deshpande (Bangalore), Ch Laxman Rao (Vizianagaram dist), M Venkataramana (Tirupati), Mr D Srinivasulu, IAS and Mrs Y V. Anuradha, Hyderabad, both ex-officio members. Mr M G Gopal is EO.
Even after the split in the State and formation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States, thousands of pilgrims from Telangana continue to visit the famed temple at Tirumala.
DC
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