Don’t hurt the sentiments devotees: Bhumana

Tirupati, October 27: YSRCP State Official Spokesperson and former TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy strongly condemned the TTD Board’s proposal to curtail the ten-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan to only two days. 
Speaking to media here on Monday, he termed the move as a betrayal of faith and an insult to crores of Hindus, especially the devotees who await this sacred opportunity every year.
Bhumana said that under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government, TTD had introduced the ten-day darshan system in 2020 with the guidance of 26 Peetadhipathis and Vaikhanasa Agama scholars. The decision, approved by the then Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal and a subcommittee of senior members including Krishnamurthy Vaidyanathan, was taken after due consultation with eminent religious heads of Sringeri, Ahobilam, Parakala, Andavan Ashram (Srirangam), Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, and others. He said this was not a political decision but one rooted in Agama tradition and blessed by leading religious institutions.
Bhumana stated that around ten lakh common devotees have been getting the opportunity for darshan every year under this system, and nearly 30 lakh devotees benefited over the last three years. 
Curtailing it now, he said, would deprive them of darshan and violates Agama principles.
He accused TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu of trying to cover up last year’s administrative failures, which led to six deaths and sixty injuries during Vaikuntha Ekadasi. Instead of improving facilities, the Board has chosen the easy way by cancelling the extended darshan, he said.
Bhumana criticized the Chairman’s claim that the ten-day practice reflected “Dravidian tradition,” saying such arguments are ignorant and divisive. The Naalayira Divya Prabandham, sung by the Azhwars, has been part of Tirumala rituals for centuries. Questioning it now shows a lack of understanding of temple heritage.
He demanded that the Board immediately withdraw its regressive proposal, restore the ten-day system, and respect the sentiments of devotees. Restricting Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan to two days, he warned, would deeply wound the faith of 110 crore Hindus.