A.P. CM calls for adoption of TTD’s best practices in major temples in State

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the Endowments Department to study the best practices followed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) at the Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala for the possible replication in other major temples, especially in the management of queues and preparing prasadams.

He ordered that only organic products be used in the preparation of prasadams, while calling for constant efforts to ensure hassle-free darshan for devotees.

Addressing a review meeting on the functioning of the TTD and the Endowments Department at the Secretariat on Thursday, Mr. Naidu said the TTD’s web portal should be linked with the Real-Time Governance System (RTGS) for monitoring and foolproof arrangements should be made for the Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival.

The 5,000 temples proposed to be constructed in the State should be redesigned in such a manner that they (the temples) exude spirituality and tranquillity under the expert guidance of the TTD.

He called for an action plan for the renovation of ancient temples (Jeernoddharana). 

TTD temple in Assam

On being informed by the officials that the Assam government has allocated 10 acres for the construction of a Venkateswara Swamy temple under the aegis of TTD, Mr. Naidu said he would speak to his counterpart for allocation of more land for the project. 

He said efforts should be made for faster darshan at Tirumala. Currently, an estimated eight pilgrims are having darshan at the temple per minute. Officials informed Mr. Naidu that the TTD was constructing new temples in Navi Mumbai and Ulundurpet in Tamil Nadu, in addition to eight temples in other States. 

Mr. Naidu saked the TTD officials to fix accountability for the assets and funds and ensure transparency. Besides, he asked the Endowments Department to strive for increasing the footfalls at the Vontimitta temple. 

The TTD officials said there had been a significant improvement in the quality of laddus and Vada has been included in the anna prasadam. They shared plans to automate the kitchen to serve anna prasadam to 2.75 lakh people per day.

Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal, Joint EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary and Board members were present in the meeting.