TTD board member objects to Shivakumar’s ‘Tirumala Nitya Harathi’ offer to Karnataka VIPs
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's offer to provide priority temple access to state officials has been criticized by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board. A board member labeled the move an 'authoritative overreach,' noting that the specific religious privilege is reserved for historical representatives.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the intersection of political influence and religious administration, raising questions about the politicization of sacred institutions.
An offer by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to provide ‘Tirumala Nitya Harathi Darshan’ to MLAs, public representatives, bureaucrats and judges from his State has raised eyebrows at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the custodian of the world’s largest Hindu temple.
The Harathi is offered to the presiding deity (Moolavirat) of Lord Venkateswara in the sanctum sanctorum in the presence of a very few Peethadhipathis, monks and special representatives, including the Special Officer representing the Maharaja of Mysore.
Mr. Shivakumar had announced that the government would extend the same privilege to the stakeholders in the government as per their protocol, and on a priority basis.
It is, however, not clear if the Karnataka government had held parleys with its counterparts in Andhra Pradesh before its Chief Minister made an announcement to this effect.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in