*YSR, Y Jagan elevated Tirumala’s Glory* 

Velagapudi, Feb 26: MLC Varudu Kalyani strongly countered the coalition government, stating that it was former Chief Ministers Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who strengthened the sanctity and global stature of Tirumala, while Chandrababu Naidu damaged the temple’s reputation by making baseless allegations against the sacred laddu prasadam despite calling Lord Venkateswara his “family deity.” She stated that the TDP had repeatedly undermined Hindu traditions and described it as a “Temple Demolition Party,” recalling that over 40 temples were demolished in Vijayawada during Pushkarams under TDP rule and later rebuilt during Y.S. Jagan’s tenure. She also noted that the demolition of the historic Thousand Pillar Mandapam in Tirumala occurred during Chandrababu’s earlier tenure as Chief Minister.
Kalyani highlighted that under Y.S. Jagan’s leadership, the Srivani Trust was established and 4,111 new temples were initiated across SC, ST, and BC colonies in Telugu states with an allocation of Rs. 10 lakh each, nearly 80 percent of them being Rama temples. Additionally, 801 ancient temples were modernized with Rs. 411 crore, and Rs. 70 crore was allocated for the development of the Kanaka Durga temple, a first in the state’s history. She said Y.S. Jagan personally conducted the Rajashyamala Yagam at the Durga temple for the welfare of the state.
She recalled that when miscreants set fire to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple chariot at Antarvedi, the government ensured a technologically advanced new chariot was delivered in time for the Kalyanotsavam. The Tirumala goshala was expanded to provide pure butter for the Lord’s Navaneetha Seva. Devotional initiatives such as distributing free Govinda Koti and Rama Koti books and granting darshan to participants were introduced. TTD employees received house site pattas, salary revisions, and compassionate appointments, while hereditary priests were allowed to continue service without a fixed retirement age. Traditional practices, including the opening of the sanctum doors by Sannidhi Gollas, were restored. Temples dedicated to Lord Venkateswara were established in Amaravati, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Jammu & Kashmir, Visakhapatnam, and even in the United States, expanding the Lord’s presence globally. Special emphasis was placed on Vedic education, and the Pournami Garuda Seva was introduced to allow more devotees to witness the sacred ritual.
For Brahmin welfare, she said Y.S. Jagan constituted the second Dharmika Parishad in August 2022, empowering religious heads and Agama scholars with decision-making authority. A special ordinance was brought in to protect Endowments Department lands, enabling the government to reclaim encroached temple lands within a week of notice. Through GO No. 52, priests’ salaries were substantially enhanced, and Rs. 48 crore in benefits were extended through the Archaka Welfare Trust. Sixteen Agama Veda Pathashalas trained 400 students with Rs. 3 crore in stipends. The Dhupa Deepa Naivedyam scheme, which covered only 1,100 temples during Chandrababu’s tenure, was expanded to 5,338 temples under YSRCP rule.
She further emphasized that Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy institutionalized reforms by amending the Endowments Act in 2007 to create a 21-member Dharmika Parishad to minimize political interference in temple administration. He initiated free milk and Annaprasadam distribution in Tirumala, established the Veda University in 2006, launched the Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel to promote the glory of the Seven Hills, introduced free laddu prasadam for devotees, and began Nitya Homam at Alipiri. The “Kalyanamastu” scheme provided newlywed couples from middle-class families with gold mangalsutras, silver toe rings, new clothes, wedding materials, priests, and meals free of cost, benefiting 36,000 couples. The “Dalita Girijana Govindam” initiative enabled tribal and Dalit communities to receive darshan of Lord Venkateswara in their localities, while Vedic training was extended even to fishing communities to promote inclusivity.
Kalyani concluded that while YSR and Jagan worked to preserve Hindu dharma and enhance the glory of Lord Venkateswara, Chandrababu Naidu, through irresponsible and unverified statements on the laddu issue, tarnished the temple’s sanctity and hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees.