Naidu urged the employees to understand that the sanctity of the shrine was of utmost importance.
Published Mar 21, 2025 | 3:52 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 21, 2025 | 3:52 PM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his grandson Nara Devaansh performing Annadanam at Tirupati on Friday, 21 March.
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said non-Hindu employees of the TTD will be transferred to other departments to safeguard the sanctity of the Tirumala shrine.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday, 21 March, reiterated his commitment to protecting and upholding the sanctity of the Tirumala shrine.
Speaking to the media after visiting the Tirumala temple with his family to celebrate his grandson Nara Devaansh’s birthday, Naidu underscored the importance of preserving the spirituality of the sacred site.
He said as part of these efforts, steps were being taken to transfer non-Hindu employees working at the temple to other government departments. He urged Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employees to realise that the shrine’s sanctity was of utmost priority.
“Just as non-Christians or non-Muslims are not present in their respective places of worship, Tirumala should not have non-Hindu employees. We are committed to safeguarding the properties of Lord Venkateswara across the country and the world,” he said.
The chief minister said that over the past five years, he and his party, the TDP, have fought tirelessly to safeguard Tirumala’s sanctity.
“After assuming power, we vowed to restore the purity and sanctity of the Venkateswara Swamy Temple. We have cancelled 35.32 acres of land previously allotted to Devalok, Mumtaz, and MRKR hotels near the hills. No commercial activity or actions that undermine the sanctity of the seven hills will not be allowed,” he added.
Naidu also announced plans to construct Venkateswara Swamy temples in all state capitals and regions with significant Hindu populations globally.
“We will write to all chief ministers to seek their support for this initiative. Additionally, we aim to build temples in villages across Andhra Pradesh that currently lack Venkateswara Swamy temples,” he said. To fund these projects, a dedicated trust would be established.
Naidu recalled the Annadanam (food donation) programme introduced by NT Rama Rao and his Pranadanam (life donation) initiative.
“Now, as a third step, we are focusing on temple construction. The trust will be solely dedicated to serving Lord Venkateswara,” he said.
The chief minister assured that funds received by the trust would be utilised transparently, and any encroached properties of the temple would be reclaimed and restored.
During his visit, Naidu also performed Annadanam in Tirumala, a tradition he follows every year on his grandson Devansh’s birthday.
“The Annadanam programme, initiated by NTR, has created a corpus fund of ₹2,200 crore through donations. This noble initiative will continue perpetually,” he said.
Naidu also shared how Lord Venkateswara protected him (on 1 October 2003). Recalling an assassination attempt (by Maoists), he said, “After launching the Pranadanam programme at Alipiri, 24 claymore mines were detonated targeting me. It was only by the grace of Lord Venkateswara that I survived. His divine power is unparalleled, and I am alive today solely because of His blessings.”
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
