Today's Tirumala News..

February 04 2012 (Saturday)

Headlines

TTD studying dress code for all pilgrims
Will reveal more on web: Jeeyar
TTD under cloud again
Vaikhanasa Pundits Refute Jeeyar's Comments

TTD Executive Officer (EO) L.V. Subramanyam disclosed this at the monthly “Dial TTD EO” programme on Friday.

The TTD had introduced a dress code for those participating in the “arjitha sevas.”

Devotees can henceforth use any bank card for online reservation of the “arjitha sevas.” At present, only Citibank cards are being honoured.

Given the “unprecedented” response to “Srinivasa Kalyanams” recently organised in Maharashtra, the TTD had proposed an exclusive body to monitor the ambitious programme.

Chinna Jeeyar swamy insisted that the removal of ancient constructions like thousand pillar mandapam (Veyyi Kaalla Mandapam) was bad.

He was speaking at Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra Parayanam programme here on Friday.

The pontiff, who for long has been demanding the reconstruction of the 1,000 pillar mandapam in front of the temple, reiterated his demand yet again.

He said the mandapam was an ancient temple, and had even linked it to the Puranas.

Reiterating that he sticks to his comments against the TTD, he said that he will reveal more mistakes on his Jeeyar web channel, which he had launched on the occasion.

Chinna Jeeyar said that in 2003 itself, he had warned TTD of terrorist threat to Tirumala temple and the TTD had not taken the issue seriously till Alipiri blast at the end of that year.

Similarly, there are several instances where the advise given in good faith was not heeded, he said.

He emphasised the need for conservation of structures of historical, cultural and traditional importance.

He said Tirumala has become a concrete jungle, losing its spiritual ambience.

Stating that people with no knowledge of sastras and Agamas are being appointed to decisions making positions at the TTD, he demanded the appointment of those with understanding of Agamas and traditions to supervise temple- related activities.

Chinna Jeeyar took the opportunity to lambast the media, especially electronic media, for sensationalising issues rather than focusing on problems for right solutions.

Around 7,000 followers of Chinna Jeeyar had attended the programme at Tirupati. About 90 percent of them were from coastal districts and most of them were woman.

The programme was organised under the aegis of Vikasa Tarangini, an organisation floated by Jeeyar swamy's followers.

At Tirumala, when Jeeyar swamy got down form the car at Rambhageecha guest house, he was received by TTD chairman K Bapiraju.

He offered Ganga Vandanam in Swamy Pushkarini.

After offering Sashtanaga Pranamam in front of Srivari temple, he started his Tiru Veedi Pradikshna, during which he was joined by Tirumala Pedda Jeeyangar and Chinna Jeeyangar and other devotees.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is again in the news for wrong reasons. Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar’s comments on Friday that there are many things wrong with both the rituals and temple administration put the TTD under the scanner.

Jeeyar’s comments irked Vaikhanasa pandits and temple employees, who maintained that everything is done as per tradition.

Lack of any reaction from TTD chairman K Bapiraju and higher officials to Jeeyar’s comments has come under heavy criticism.

Meanwhile, TTD is silent on allowing Shirdi Sai Baba’s ‘Padukas’ into Tirumala temple.

About 700 devotees of Sai Baba came for darshan to Tirumala a couple of days ago and were accorded welcome by TTD chairman K Bapiraju, who carried ‘Sai Padukas’ inside the temple personally.

When asked, TTD Agama advisor Vedanta Vishnubhattacharyulu said that carrying of the padukas past Dwaja Stambam was wrong.

Since they were made of silver and not used as footwear, but meant for worship, they did not make an issue of it, he said.

TTD executive officer LV Subramanyam being named as one of the accused in Emaar Properties case is being viewed as another negative mark on TTD.

Many people say only persons with untainted image should hold top positions in TTD.

Vaikhanasa Agama pandits in Tirumala and Tirupati condemned the comments of Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar swamy who criticised the rituals at Lord Ven-kateswara temple at Tirumala.

They maintained that rituals in the temple were being performed as per Vaikhansa Agama Sastra and it is not proper for outsiders to comment on such issues.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, on the issue of rituals being performed in Tirumala temple after midnight, members of Vaikhanasa Agama Pandita Man-dali maintained that every ritual is being performed as per Vaikhanasa Agama.

"As per tradition, Shatkararchanas need to be performed to Lord Venkateswara, that is six times in a day pre dawn, morning, afternoon, twilight, night and midnight," they said and added that it will be wrong if the ritual is not performed at midnight.

On the issue of 1,000 pillar mandapam, quoting from sacred texts, they said it has no significance in Vaikhanasa Agama.

"It was constructed by King Sada-sivarayulu for the convenience of the visiting devotees at that time.

It was demolished for the benefit of pilgrims now and it would not have any adverse effect," they said.

The pandits said that the sanctity and spiritual ambience of Tirumala Divyakshetram is being maintained with the cooperation and coordination between archakas, acharyapursha, jeeyangar, TTD, government and devotees.

"If there are any lapses in rituals, it is the duty of Agama Advisory Council, Jeeyangars and Vaikhanasa pandits to point out and rectify the same.

If anyone proves that what we are doing is wrong, we are ready to leave Tirumala for them to perform the rituals," TTD Agama advisor Vedantam Vishnubhatacharyulu said.

He expressed anguish over such a sensitive matter being made a public issue and creating confusion in the minds of people.

"If he (Chinna Jeeyar swamy) has any grievances or issues, he can discuss the same with Agama pundits of the temple concerned, instead of making it a public debate," said G Prabhakaracharulu and V Gopalakrishnamacharyulu, along with other pandits.

They described lapses that are being pointed out by Chinna Jeeyar as his imagination and not true.

"People of his stature should not make such comments, which hurt the sentiments of devotees," they said.