Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) [India], May 16 (ANI): Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD ), the administrative body of Lord Balaji temple, is gearing up to allow devotees for ‘Darsanam’ of Lord Balaji amid the coronavirus induced lockdown. TTD officials said that the limited number of devotees will be allowed for ‘Darsanam’ (worshipping).
“We will allow a limited number of devotees for ‘Darsanam’. Accordingly, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) officials are making arrangements for running buses from Tirupati to Tirumala. Markings are being done in buses. Arrangements are being done for social distancing at bus complexes and ticket counters,” said the officials.
“Once the lockdown restrictions are relaxed and the temple is opened, the RTC will run buses. In 49 seater bus, 30 passengers will be allowed. In 47 seater bus, 28 passengers will be allowed. In 45 seater bus, 25 passengers will be allowed. Every passenger must wear a mask,” they added.
APSRTC Tirumala depot’s Deputy Manager Giridhar Reddy said that authorities are ready to run buses from the day TTDÂ allows for darshan of Lord Balaji. “We are ready to run buses from the day TTDallows for ‘Darsanam’ of Lord Balaji. We are checking the maintenance of buses once in three days. Buses are in perfect condition.
We are reducing occupancy to 50 per cent for passenger safety,” he said. “Passengers must wear masks and must observe the social distance. Leg operated sanitizer machines for hand wash will be there at the bus stand. Volunteers will be there to guide.
Bus fares will be the same, as usual,” added Reddy. ‘Darsanam’ at the Lord Balaji Temple in Tirumala is suspended since lockdown and currently, all rituals are being performed in isolation at Tirumala and other affiliated temples.
No decision taken to sell any landed properties: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Trust Board Chairman
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD ) Trust Board chairman YV Subba Reddy has refuted the reports about the sale of TTD lands, stating that no such decision has been taken.
“The reports about the sale of TTDÂ lands are all politically motivated. The actual decision was taken by the earlier board and the state government in 2014-2019.
They had decided that small pieces of TTDÂ land in villages, which are in remote areas, especially properties in TN villages, should be disposed of. This decision was taken as the TTDÂ is not in a position to take care of those properties,” Reddy told ANI.
He said that the present TTDÂ board has only reviewed the earlier decision and till now no decision has been taken to sell these properties. “We have just reviewed the decision and asked the officials if they can not protect these properties.
They have been asked to review the properties and submit a report. As of now, we have not decided to sell the properties,” he said. In view of the controversy, the Andhra Pradesh government has issued an order directing the TTD Board to re-examine the issue in consultation with different stakeholders.
“Till the finalisation of the matter stated above, the proposed disposal of 50 properties by TTDÂ is hereby kept in abeyance,” reads the order of the State government.
Brahmana Chaitanya Vedika condemns sale of assets donated to Lord Balaji Temple
Brahmana Chaitanya Vedika president S Sridhar Sarma said that the forum condemned the sale of assets donated to Lord BalajiTemple by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board as directed by the state government. Addressing the media here, Sarma alleged that Visakhapatnam Sarada Peetham seer Swami Swarupanandendra is playing a key role in the sale of lands donated to Tirumala temple.
“The sale of lands includes conspiracy of selling land at Rishikesh to Swaruapnandendra. Further discussions about the land sale were done at the ashram of Swarupanendra,” he said.
Sarma demanded former TTD EO IYR Krishnarao to respond to the decision of the trust board to sell the asset donated by yesteryear actress Kanchana. “Lord Balaji’s ‘Naivedyam’ is being sold like a sweet in a sweetshop. This is highly objectionable. Lord Balaji will punish the ruler of the state and TTD Board for such sacrilegious acts,” he said. (ANI)
