CHAPTER - I TIRUMAL-A TIRUPATI DWASTHANAMS - An Ovewlew

1.1. Introduction

Tirupati is'one of the most ancient and spectacular places of pilgrimage in India.

It is situated in Chittoor District in southern Andhra Pradesh. The town owes its

existence to the sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated on the

Tirumala Hill adjoining it. With a history that dates back to over twelve centuries,

the temple is the jewel in the crown of ancient places of worship in southem

India. The name Tirupati, meaning the 'the Lord of Lakshml' should have been

appropriately applied to the village on the Venkatachala Hill, the abode of the

Lord. However, it has been popularly assigned to the Municipal town at the foot

of the Hill, while the village around the Hill near His temple is called Tirumala (the

Sacred Hill).

The Tirurnala Hill is 3200 fl above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area.

It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adlsesha, thus

earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri,

Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Nanyanadri and Venkatadri. The ancient

and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak,

Venkatachala venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lles on the southern banks of

Sri Swami Pushkarini. It is by the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala, that he

has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also

called the Lord of the Seven Hills.

The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religbus

lore. The Sasttas, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally

declare that, in the KaU Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkab

Nayaka or Sti Venkateswara. The beneflEs acquired by a pitigrimage to

Venkatachala ere mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranae. In them epics, Sri Vwhteswara le desaibed as the great M o w e r of boons. There are

several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala. The

temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the

principles of equality and love, and prohim animal sacrifice. The sanctum

sanclonrrn which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is

situated 10 the main temple complex of Tirumala. There are several legends

associated wkh the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala.

1.2. Temple Legends

Sfi Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which the most

important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed

work contains extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana,

Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma

Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Adiia Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara

Purana. Most of these extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills

around Tirumala and the numerous teerthems situated on them. The legends

taken from the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha Purana, pertaining to

the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala, are of particular interest.

According to the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself on the western

bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the form of Venkateswam came to

mide on the southern bank of the Swami Pushkarini. One day, Rangadasa, a

staunch devotee of Vishnu, in the course of his pilgrimage, joined Vaikhanasa

Goplnatha, who was going up the Tirumala Hill for the daily worship of Lord

Venkateeware. After bathing in the Swami Pushkarini, he beheld the lotus-eyed

and blue-bodied Vishnu beneath a tamarind tree. Vishnu was exposed to the

sun, wind and rain and was only protected by the extended wings of Gatuda.

Rangadaaa was astounded by the wonderful sight. He raised a rough wall of

stones around the deity, and started supplying flowers faithfully to Gopinatha

everyday for Vbhnu'a worship. One day, Rangadam was distraded by a

Gandharva king and his ladies. Consequently, he forgot to supply fkwers to

Gopinatha for Vlshnu's worship. The Lord then revealed Himsedf and told

Rangadasa that He had been testing the laWs continence, but Raqadasa had

not been steadfast and had succumbed to temptation. However, the Lord

accepted and appreciated Rangadasa's devoted sewiw to Him till then, and

blessed Rangadasa that he would be reborn as an affluent ruler of a province

and would enjoy the earthly pleasurecs. He wwld continue to serve the Lord,

construct a beautiful temple with a vimana and high surrounding walls, and

thereby earn eternal glory. Rangadasa was reborn as Tondaman, the son of the

royal couple, Suvira and Nandini. Tondaman enjoyed a pleasurable life as a

young man. One day, he set out on a hunting expedition on the Tirumala Hill, and

with the help of a forester, saw Wshnu under the tamarind tree. Tondaman

returned home, deeply affected by the vision of Vishnu. Tondarnan later lnheritsd

his father's kingdom, Tondamandalam. In accordance with the directions given

by Adi Varaha to a forester, Tondaman constructed a prakeram and dvara

gopura, and arranged for regular worship of the Lord (according to Valkhanasa

Agama). In the Kali Yuga, Akasaraja came to rule over Tondamandalam. Hls

daughter Padmavathi was married to Venkateswara. The marriage, officiated by

Brahrna, was celebrated with great pomp and splendour.

According to a centuriesskl belief, Kubem, the Hindu god of wealth, gave a huge

amount as a loan to Balaji or Venkateswara Swamy when he was marrying

goddess Padmavathi. Balaji promised Kubsra that in return, the aflerings made

by his devotees would go to him. If one were to eetimate the the wealth d Balajl

in Tirumala, it would not be wrong to condude that all the dues have not only

been paid in full, but in far excess as well. The Hindu scriptures say the Md of

Balaji emerged here on its own.

1.3. Tmpb Hktoy

Then, Is ample l i and spigm tsstlmMIy to the antlqufty of the temple of

Lord Sri Vsnkateswara. All the Bre;it dynastba of nrkn d tho mdhem penkrruts havepaklhomagstaLordSriVenkrtsrrwwainIhhendent~.ThsPakm

of KEnchbepuram (9th century AD), the Choh of thanjavur (8 W r y later),

Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th

century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in

endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions. It was during the rule

of the Vljayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple inaeased. Sri

Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals

of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue

of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple.

ARer the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts

of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The

Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent

endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable

jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box

named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large

amounts are the rulers of Mysore and ~ad&l .

After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Kamataka and then the

Britlshers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and

protective control. In 1843 AD, the East India Company divested itself of the

dlrect management of nonChristlan places of worship and native religious

institutions. The administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number

of estates were then entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at

Tiwmala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for

nearly a century, till 1933 AD.

Vljayanagar King Krishna Devaraya built two prakarame or outer walk to the

shrine. He visited the temple whenever he had to wagti a war. And everytime he

won a war, he attributed hls succe~88 to the blessings of Balaji.

The Qth century temple is the jewel in the crown of Hlnduim. Lying 3,200 feet

above sea level and having an area of about 10.33 square miles, it is the M s

most active religious destination attrading more than 55,000 pilgrims from all

over the world every day.

Before the 908, a majority of the devotees wen from the southem states.

Devotees come from all over the world and every year, more than 1.80 crore

devotvs offer money and gold to make Tirumala the richest Hindu shrine.

During the curtent year (2006-07), the temple's earnings have already crossed

Rs 900 crore against Rs 675 crore during the last year. Total collections from

Hundi offerings alone are Rs 360 crore till now, while Rs 226 crorcss accrue

annually from bank deposits. Even three yeam ago, 7TO used to dear the Hundi

only once or twice in a day where as they have to do It at least 10 times in a day.

Comprising the lion's share of the wealth are the jewellery and the fixed assets.

Interestingly, several medieval Muslim rulers and Chtistian colonial rulers hove

made rich donations in this respect. For instanoe, Mughal ruler Shahjahan

donated an eight-layered gold chain that wei~hs over 100 kg. Jehangir too

donated gold omaments studded with valuable stones. Later, King George and

Queen Victoria also donated several gold ornaments embossing their names on

them. Traditionally, the ornaments are used during annual Brahmotsavams every

year.

1.4. Tlrumela Tlrupatl Devruthmams Formatton and Ib growth

In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, w h i i empowered the

Tinrmala T i~pat i Devasthanams (TID) Commmsb to control Md administer a

fwd group of temples in the Tirumale-Tirupoti ares, through a Commiuionsr

appointed by the Government of Madras. Thb cammiltee was mirted by a Religious Advisory Councl for religious mettsrs and a Ryob Advisory Councll for

the management of TTD's estates. In 1951, the Act of 1933 wee repleeed by an

enadment whereby the a d m i n m of TlD war enbwted to s Boorrl of

Tnmbm, gnd an Exeu#ve Ofiicer was appdntsd by the Owbmmmt . In 1956,

tfre state of Andhra P r a m war formed, Hid the TTD Board cemb urdsr L govemance.TheprwlsknsoftheAdof~851 wen,rsts i l rc ldbythe~ble

and R d i g i ~ ~ Endowmenb Ad, 1966. Today, TID is a Eonglomsretlon of

temples, brought under the First Schedule 2 of Act 30 of 1987. Even a rough

estimation of the assets or properties of Lord Balaji put the total value at

anywhere between Rs 50,000 crore and Rs 75,000 crore. This includes fixed

assets like lands, buildings, jewellery and Hundi collections and donations.

Balaji temple is the richest shrine In India possessing abundant wealth and

according to sources in the Finance Department, the value of the gold ornaments

donated by King george and Queen Victoria could be more than Rs 30,000 crore.

There are five diamond crowns for the lord and two sets of gold ornaments adorn

the idol from top to toe. Although the Devasthanam does not accept silver

ornaments, devotees still drop hundreds of kilos of silver in the Hundi every year.

The Gold and Diamond Treasury of the Lord is getting fuller by the day. More

than Rs 10 wre worth of jewellery gets added up every year. In addition various

types of jewellery, even from designers from all over the country are offered.

The TTD keep all its money in various Public Sector Banks. The schemes

started by the Devasthanam like Nithya Annadaanam (Rs 120 crore), Praana

daanam (Rs 100 crore), Bala Mandali, homes for the destitute and homes for the

old have been ovedlowing with funds. The TTD spends a part of its funds on its

Educational Institutions besides several of its schemes. Of late, it has started

performing Kalyanotsavas in the areas where dalis are prominent in number.

The TTD offers free meals to more than 40,000 pilgrims every day and sells

more than 1,50,000 laddoos, the most sought after prasadam of the Lord. The

sale of kddoos fetches around Rs 28 wore to the TTD annually.

The Tm runs more than TOO kalyana mantapams (marriage halls), cottages and

homes all owr th state. More than 25,000 employee8 am on its payrolls. Aa per

Ule sources of lTD, "People fsel and t m t their lord is Mllllhg their wishes. That

I8 why b ~ b w pilgrim viaits llrumda mars than once".h donatiom am

secondary, the solace that the devotees get from the Lord is what keeps

Tiimala thriving.

1.6. Temples under the mapagement of TTD

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) maintain8 twelve temples and their sub-

shrines in the Tirumala-Tirupati area. The Tempks in and around Tirumala an,

Sri Venkateswara Temple , Sri Varahaswami Temple, Sd Eedi Anjaneyaswami

Temple and Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple. The Temples in and around Tirupati am

Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple,Tiruchanoor, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple,

Tirupati, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Tintpati, Sri Kapileswaraswami

Temple, Tirupati, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraewami Temple, Srinlvaea

Mangapuram, Sti Kafyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Naryanavanam, Sri

Vedanarayanaswami Temple, Nagalapuram, Sri Venugopalaclwami Temple,

Kametinagaram, Sri Prasanna Venkateswananr~mi Temple, Appalayanagunta,

Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple, Tailapaka, Sri Karlyamanikyaswomi Temple,

Nqiri, and Sri Annapuma Sameta Kasi vbwemvara$wami Temple, Bugga

Agraharam., Sri Venkateswara Temple, Riahlkesh, Srl Chandrarnoulse-

waraswami Temple, Rishikesh and Sri Pattabhifamaswami Temple, Vayalpad.

The oganisation structure of this mighty temple with so much of wealth, so many

activities to take can, of are depicted in the fOmr of organisation chart shown

Maw.

T I R W TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAMS ORGANISATION CHART

1.6. Devoteas Facilities:

TTD provides a wide range of facilities to make pilgrimage a unique spiritual

experience. Special facilities an, being provided by ll3 to meet the

requirements of pilgrims expected to visit Tirumaia duhg summer,

Brahmostavas, New Year and on other festival days.

1.6.1. Transport The transport facilities provided by ll3 will help ths devotees

to move around Tirumala and Tirupati quickly and in an organised manner.

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation runs Bus Services for the

convenience of passengers from the Railway station, Tirupati Bus stand to

Tirumala and back. On an average a bus per minute is operated from Ti~pat i to

Tirumala Hills based on the floating of the Devotees. Free bus service fadltty is

provided at Tirumaia as per prescribed timings (these buses pass through

cottages, choultries, temples and other places in flrumela). APSRTC runs Bur

Services for the convenience of air passengem from the airport to Tirumalp and

back. The Railway Booking Office is located at the Central Reception OfAce building, and issues tickets for trains and road cum rail journeys. In case of

vehicle breakdowns on the ghat roads, one can contact the Toll Gatsr either at

Tirupati or at Tirumaia. A mechanic will be sent in a mobile van equlpped M h

spares, to attend to the problem.

1.6.2. Accommodation TTD ensures that comfortable accommodation is

provided to pilgrims at a reasonable cost. It has conrtructsd over 5600 cottages,

gusa houses and choultries both at TirupPti and Ti~mnla. TTD pravkka

m m o d a t i o n free of cost to pilgrims who cannot a M to poy for their stay hr

lhpati and Tirumala. Further, to ease the demand for Pccornmdath, TTD h#

built Wic Amenlhieo Complexes at both Tirupati and Tin#nals, whidr provide

dormitory-typeaccommodationwlth~,~ofcort.

1.6.3. Food FaoUllk. A whokwrms vtbgapr(on mcuk h pmvhd fm of cost to drwotsc#, in the Sri VenbteswOTP Cantm CompkK, from 10.00 hn to 23.00

hrs, everyday. One can avail of this facility on produdion of the free meal coupon

which is distributed inside the temple after worshipping the Lord. About 20,000

piligrims avail this facility every day.

1.6.4. Darshanams The entrance for darshan is through the Vaikuntam Queue

Complex. The complex is a series of inter-connected halls that leads to the main

temple. An efficient queue system ensures that pilgrims move in an orderly

fashion through the Queue Complex, towards the main temple.

The halls in the Queue Complex are clean, spacious and airy. TTD provides a

wide range of facilities in the Queue Complex like food, soft drinks, milk, toilets,

Medical facilities, sale of TTD publications. In addition facilities for depositing

footwear and Cloak rooms are also provided at free of cost. There are officers to

look after the facilities in the Vaikuntam Queue Complex to regulate the queues

and attend to complaints.

Sawadananam means 'darshan for all'. The timings for Sawadarsanam are

different on different days of the week. On normal days, about 18 hours are

allotted for Sarvadarsanam and on peak days, It is open for 20 hours. Around

50,000 pllgrims visit the main temple every day.

Special Danhan The entrance for Special Darshan is through the PPC (Queue

Complex). The queue merges with the Sawadarsanam queue at Bangannrakili.

Pilgrims who use this queue will have a shorter welting time. Special darshan, is

charged at Rs.501- per head. The danhan timings are the same as that for

Sawadananam,

Sudaanarn Token System was introduced to minimise the waiting time for

Sawadarsanam, Special Oarshan and other pakl darshanleevass with the

features of the time of damhan i8 indicated on the tokens. Pilgrims a n enter the

Vaikuntam Qwue Complex at Tinmala at the time indicated on the tokens, they

can have darshan within two haum of entedng the Queue Compbx., As thk

system saves on waiting time, it p r o w s pilgrims with enough time to visit

temples in the vicinity like Sri Govindamjaswami Temple and Kapila Teertham at

Tinrpati, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple &t Ti~chanur and Sri Kalyana

Venkateswara Swami Temple at Srinivasa Mangapurarn.

To help TTD keep a track of the number of pilgrims and ensure thelr smooth flow,

one token is issued per head. Collective tokens for groups an, not issued.

The tokens are available free of cost at the First Choultry (opposite the Tirupati

Railway Station), Second Choultty (behind Ule Railway Station), Alipiri Bus

Stand, Tirupati, Vaikuntam Queue Complex, Pilgrim Amenitii Centre (Near

CRO) and near the Rambagicha Guest House in Tirumala.

Special Danhan for the Physically Disabled and the Aged This special

dershan Is arranged for the physicaly disabled and the aged through a separate gate at the Maha Dwaram,the main temple entrance. If necessary, wch pligrime

can be accompanied by an attendant.

1.8.5. Vow Fulfilment - Facllltler TTD has provided wven l Mibier to help

devotees to fulfil their vows in Titumala.

Walking up the Hllb Many pilgrims walk up the Mlk to fuHU vow they ham

taken, for which TTL) has con- a lootpath from AHplrS to Tlnrmala. TTD provides the following facilities for pilgrims who walk up the hills: TranoportaUon

of luggage, free of cost, to Titumala. Pilgrims will be given a taken whsn they

deposit their luggage at any of the droufMas in TItupati, or at the Toll Gate in

Alipiri. They can tokb ddiecy of their luggage at the Central Remptiarr Ollloe

Counter at Tirumah; Orinking water along ths foot~th; Toikb, 8heka Pn hnportent points along the way for ~ W n g ; Conaant patrol by le#ir#y iorcrmcl to

prevent pitgrim8 tram bedng cheated or robbed by uruaupulaur ebment8; R d y

d rdigkw programmes b done throu(ph the bcal bmdcadng syrtnm, Twenty-

four hour medical assistance all along the route, shops and vendors sell

refreshments.

Tonsuring The place where pilgrims fulfill their vow of tonsure is called Kalyana

Katta. Over 500 barbers, operating in three batches round the clock, are

available at Kalyana Katta, to perform tonsure.

To reduce the waiting time for tonsure during the peak season, over 100

additional barbers are engaged. The building is equipped with two big tonsure

halls and two side balcony tonsure halls with platforms to seat both the pilgrim

and the barber. There are four waiting compartments and a well-organised queue

system. Tonsure done free of cost at Kalyana Katta. Antiseptics are mixed with

water and applied to the head before tonsuring to prevent skin-related and other

diseases. Bathrooms, with geysers for hot water, are provided for the pilgrims

who have their heads tonsured. A computerised system is in place to issue

tokens for tonsure There are 16 mini Kalyana Kattas at important places in

Tirumala which function from 6 am to 6 pm everyday, to perform tonsure for

pilgrims staying in cottages and guesthomes. The fee charged at these locations

is Rs. 101- per head. The places at which mini Kalyana Kattas are located are: Sri

Venkateswara Guest House, N.G.G.H, Sri Varahaswami Guest House, Ram

Bagicha Guest House (RBGH)-I, RBGH-II, RBGH-Ill, SPTC, MBC, TBC, SMC,

ANC, HVC, Sri Padmavathi Guest House, Mysore Choultry, Sapthagiri Satramulu

and 1st N.C.

Angapndrkshlnam is when pilgrims lie prostrate, and then roll around the

temple, chanting the Lord's name. It is petformed in the Vimana Pradakshinam,

one of the pathways around the temple. Pilgrims who wish to undertake the Angapradakshinam will have to bathe In the Swami Pushkarini, and reach the

Main Temple Complex by 0200 hrs (through a special queue that gtarts from the

PPC Sheds). Angapradakshinam is generally restricted on the weekends

(Saturdays and Sundays). It is also restricted when there is hewy innux of

pilgrims.

Tulabhanm is offering to the Lord, one's wight in c;oins or other ltems such as

sugar candy. Tulabharam is generally pesforrned for children. Pilgrims can weigh

their offerihgs in the temple complex. The coins can be deposited In the temple

hundi and other Items can be handed over to the temple authorities wsent. The

queue for Tulabharam is the regular queue that starts from the Vaikuntam Queue

Complex or PC Queue Complex.

Niluvudopidl is offering to the Lord the ornaments, etc., that one Is wearing

when one takes the vow. Niluvu Dopidee is a ritual in which devotees giving

away all the ornaments on their body at the Hundi. bvoteea promlm to the lord

that they would drop all their ornaments in the Hundi if their wlshea are fuirlfllled.

Not less than 100 Niluvu Dopidees take place every day. All the assets are In the

name of Lord Balaji only. Even the Trumala belongs to Balajl. Since centuries,

devotees have been donating valuable land to Balaji. They simply drop land

documents in the Hundi. Ofhdals of Hundi keep them safely in the l o c h . Some

devotees have donated hundreds of acres of their land, an asmsmmt of whlch

is not possible. It is said by the TlD Executive Officer that OM) life tlme I8 not

enough to put the documents in order, let alone asmdng the value of lands.

T O have sold out some of the lands which were in far off placss and dsporlted

the m a y in banks. But they h m not completed the task of doarmentlw all tho80 papers.

1.6.6. Pnudam After dmhan, a mal l quantity of -dam b diJlrMfJutsd ftw

of cost to each pilgrim. Prasadams am roM on 1 days, the camtom oukids

the temple. Tokem for buying Prmdamr can k &hod at tho bonk counter

located dong the queue.

1.6.7. Medical Facilities l l D maintains several hospitals and dispensaries at

Ttrupatl, Tirumala and Tiruchanoor for the benefit of its employees, pilgrims and

the local population. Hospitals and Dispensaries under TTD are Aswini Hospital,

Tirumala, Central Hospital, Tirupati, Dispensary at the Vaikuntam Queue

Complex, Tirumda, Employees Dispensary in Tirumala, Dispensary at INC,

Tirupati, Dispensary at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanoor, Health

Centre at Padmavathi Women's College, Tlrupati, Dispensary in

Balragipatteda.Besides, the following medical facilities are available in Tirupati - Sri Venkateswara Institute for Medical Sciences - A superspeciality hospital,

Balaji lnatitute of Surgery, Rehabilitation & Research for the Disabled, Sri

Venkateswara Poor Home, Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic College & Hospital, Sri

Srinivasa Ayurveda Pharmacy. Pilgrims are given free medical aid at the Aswini

Hospital near Seshadri Nagar in Tirumala. Twenty-four hour medical assistance

is provided to pilgrims all along the footpathfrom Alipiri to Tirumala.

Health and Sanltatlon It is one of TTD's priorities to ensure hygienic conditions

both at Tirumala and Tirupati. The quality of food supplied at all TTD canteens

and private hotels at Tirumala is constantly checked by food inspectors. The

Quality Control Department operates out of a fully-equipped laboratory at

Tirumala, to ensure the supply of pure drinking water, and the use of goodquality

provisions. TTD also takes measures to prevent the spread of contagious

diseases In T imala and Tirupati.

1.8.8. Other Facilltier:

Sale of Ookl and Silver Dollars with the images of Lord Venkateswara and

Goddess Padmavathi are sold at l l D Counters, both inside the temple (near the

vimana of the Lord) and outside (at the TTt) AdministrrrWle Buildin$, Tlrupati).

In Publkatlot\o Stab All religious books puMtshsd by TTO am sold at the

APSRTC Bus Stand in'llrumah ,Near Sri Govindarajaswamy temple, in Tirupati,

Railway station in Tirupati and also at all lnfonnation centres upread across the

country.

TTD has organised a Purohit Sangham to help pilgrims condud Vedic rituals

like sankalpam, namakarana, chaulam, upanayanam, kalyanam and pinda

prasadam 'at Tirumala. The Sangham has learned and experienced purohits.

Fees for such services are fixed by TTD. One can approach the Purohit

Sangham through TTD's enquiry counters at the Central RscepMon Office,

Vaikuntam Queue Complex and opposite the Sri Venkateswara temple. There

are 84 purohii at the Purohii Sangham, Tirumala who perform the following

functions and pujas for visaing pilgrims by colleding the prescrlbad charges.

There are 16 ear-boring acharier who work at the Ear Boring Acharies

Sangham,

llD provides round-the-clock security at all guest houses In Tirumala, along the footpaths, and at other important places both wtttrin and out6idb the main

temple. The security is strengthened during festivals. There are thtw tom gates

operated by l lD - one at Alipiri while going to Tintmala ,#re second at Gerudadri

Nagar Cottages while descending from Timala and the thlrd one on the way to

Papavinasanam.

Subscriber Trunk Oialing/lntemational Subscriber T m k Wing (STDn%O)

booths function round the dock, at different place6 in Tirumala. The Po& &

Tdepphs Office is lacated mar the Central Recaption Ofllce kr fkumals

llD has constructed a number of Kalyrnr Msndrprm, and Infondon Contma at impMEant placss throughaut India. Some Dwobeeo twp~du& liom south India prafer to perform the mardagm of their chHdrcrn in nrupatl near the Padmavathi A m m h T e n ~ l ~ and some p f W fO pwfim in Tkwnola. The

n w n b e r o f 8 u c h ~ i s e v e r ~ n g . To catertothe rsqukembnb ofwdr

devotees TTD has constructed several marriage halls in Triupati and a few

&ages in Triumala were earmarked for performing marriages at Tirumala.

TTD has dedicated itself to sewing pilgrims who visit Tinrmala and Tirupati. It

provides facilities to make their pilgrimage a unique and rewarding spiritual

experience. It also works towards preserving the serenity and sanctity of the

sacred Tirumala-Tirupati area.

In view of financial resources availability at the disposal of TTD, in addition to

maintenance of temples under its purview and providing facilities to its devotees

R undertakes various Social, Environment Protection, Educational, Dharmic,

Religious, Publications and Literary Research activities. Social service initiatives

are in the areas of education, medical treatment, and rehabilitation of the

physically challenged and economically backward. It provides aid to authors and

subsidized equipment to other temples, Social Activities, Educational Activities,

Religious Adivitiis, Publications and Literary Research

1.7. Social Activities TTD has vast financial resources at its disposal, Hence in

addition to providing facilities to devotees they also take important social

acth~ities for the benefit of all people. A few important social activities are as

follows.

The objective of the Balajl Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation

for the Dlsabled (BIRRD) is to provide medical treatmentlfaciliies to those

suffering from polio myelitis, cerebral palsy, congenital anomalies, spinal injuries,

and the orthopaedically handicapped, particularly the poor, irrespective of

religion, caste or creed. In 1994, BIRRD was converted to a Trust. TTD provides

a matching grant to the Trust, equivalent to the donations it receives. BIRRD

operates from a spacious hospital with a capacity of 250 beds, built at a cost of

Rs. 4.5 m. It h w five operation theatres, a modem Artilidal Limb Fitting

Cenke (that provides a@ and appliance$, free of cast, to physicslRy handicapped

patients) and a sophisticated Physiotherapy Department. Research is also

conducted here. Currently, BIRR0 is in the process of cdlgctlng data pertaining

to polio-affected children in Andhra Pradesh, after which it will start screening

patients at the district level. With the help of voluntary organisations, t h m

districts have already been covered under this scheme. BIRR0 proposes to star! a Total Spinal Trauma Care Centre with comprehensive rehabilitation. It also

plans to introduce post graduate and graduate coumes In Physiotherapy.

Sri Venkateswara Poor Home IS a hospital that caters to the needs of leprosy

patients. It is one of the largest of its kind in India, and admlts persons suffering

from various forms of leprosy, from all over India. The hospital Is weliaquipped,

with twenty inpatient wards. The outpatient block has an operation theatre and

physiotherapy section. Patients are treated with intensive multidnrg therapy and

given physiotherapy. They are also educated about the prevention and care of

leprosy. The average duration of treatment varies from six to eighteen months.

During treatment, patients also undergo occupational therapy where they are

trained in skills like carpentry, shoe-maklng and weaving. The training helps in

the patients' rehabilitation in society. The inpatients are given training in

agricutture. They are trained to grow dif'ferent crops. The produce is used by the

hospital; the excess produce is sent to the other institutions of TTD. TTD set up

the Leprosy Rehabilitation Pmmotlonal Unit (LRPU) in lQ86 in the Sri

Venkateswara Poor Home campus at Tirupati under the NPtlonal Leprosy

Eradication Programme of the GovMmnsnt of India. The Government of India

provides full financial assistance - Rs 4 lakh annually. The objbcthre of LRPU is

to p r o w reconstructive surgery and artifidal prosthetic support to leprosy

patients end hetp them in rehabilitation. Patients are provkld 8areral facilitks

indudi ftbe food and accommodation. The Poor Home har 8et Ib slghtn an the

total eradiatkn of leprosy In India. tt aim to incnrrrrs waremew among the

public about leprosy through health education. It kssps ebrssrt with the late6t

tsdrnioal know-how by dsputing its crtPn' to varkur medical indlhrtionr, and

umducting seminars periodiceny to foam on the lrrtest trsndr In trsPbMmt and

rehabilltation measures. TITI has been inspired by Mother Teresa who once

remarked, ' M e n I am washing the wounds of a leper, I feel I am doing great

service to the Lord ".

Sri Venkabwara Bala Mandir (SVBM) is an orphanage established in 1943, Its

objective is to identify destitutes, feed and educate them, and work towards their

rehabilkation in society. SVBM is a charitable institution run with TTD funds.

SVBM looks after the boarding and lodging of the destitutes during the course of

their study. Separate accommodation is provided for boys and girls, in a spacious

building. The number of inmates is restricted to 500. Children should be in the

age group of five-ten years at the time of admission. Further, they should have

no record of crime, for which suitable evidence needs to be produced. Besides

the regular subjects of study, vocational courses like tailoring and typing are

included in the curriculum. SVBM organises special feeding for destitutes, on

festivals and other important national holidays.

Srl Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) caters to the medical

needs of the poor and needy in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.

The objectives of SVlMS are to render high-technology medicine and develop

patterns of teaching at postgraduate (PG) level in super specialities and to

impart high standard of medical education, to render services to the people of

Rayalaseema area and the surrounding districts in medical super-specialities at

affordable cost., Apart from patient care, teaching and research is an important

activity here. The faculty actively participates in National and International

Conferences and presents research data. SVIMS was upgraded to a medical

university in 1995.

Srl Venkatoswam School for the Deaf was established in 1974. The school

imparts free general education and vocational training to deaf children, prov'kba

placement, and guides them towards becomii independent indi iuak. l lw

school has 35 teaching and 30 non-teaching staff. Its management governs thtee

schools for the deaf - at Tinrpati, Bhimavaram and Warangal. Free boarding end lodging facilities are provided to boarders and free midday meals are provided to

day scholars. The teacher-to-pupil ratio is maintained at 1:10. Teachers interact

with parents of the children on a regular basis. Yoga is taught to help In the

physical and mental development of the children. ChiMren are trained in varioua

sports and compete with normal children in inter-school cultural and wort8

competitions. Many students have secured jobs in TTC) and other organisations.

The management proposes to upgrade the school to a junior college. it also

plans to start a separate schaol for deaf girls. It will soon go in for group hearing

aids, impedance audio meters, induction loop system and other hearing aids.

Sd Venkateswara Tralnlng Centre for the Handlapped plays a major mle in

sensitising the public to the needs of the orthopaedically and visually

handicapped, and hearing impaired. It provides aide to the handicapped, ollsnr

vocational training and counselling services, and assists its wards In securing

employment. Vocational training is provided In three areas: Group Production

Oriented Training (like cane weaving, electronic assbmbling and packing works),

Group Home Bound lndividual Programmes (like rope making), Group Urban-

oriented lndividual Schemes (like typewriting, vulcanising, rubber atamp making

and training for the Shorthandlofhca histant profession). Candldatee !mined in

the Engineering trades appear for examinations conducted by U16 lndlan

Technical Institute. Candidates trained in typewriting take examinations in Lower

and Higher grades (both English 8 Telugu) conducted by the State Board d

Technical Education & Training, Hyderabad.

1.8. Environmental Actlvitht:

~ r v r t i o n of Wabr and Forests -The Harlthr Project we8 launched by

TID at a cost of 1.5 crore to m e r v e ground water m o u m and the fomt6 on the Tbumala HiL. Developmental odMtier are kin^ taken up on e mrwhrs

scale under thk project by the TTD FoFest l h ~ h ~ N besed on ths rstsaite image of the areas provided by the Stab Forwt Ospartment with the obJdv08

to consewe rain water and improve the ground water level, to plant about 1 crore

saplings, to green 29,500 acres of forest area, belonging to TTD and the State

government, within 3 years, to protect the forests from fire and to develop the

areas adjoining the important tirthas. TTD has constructed several cement

checkdams, contour trenches, masonry embankments and percolation tanks to

prevent the rain water from draining off the Seshachala Hills. Eighty kilometre

long peripheral trenches have been dug from Rangampeta to Kodur. Besides, 89

checkdams, 136 Gabrion checkdams, 3884 rock fill dams have been built. Check

dams have also been constructed on the first and second ghat roads from

Tirupati to Tirumala to prevent the draining of water and the erosion of soil.

These sustained efforts have contributed in a substantial improvement in the

ground water level. A report given by the Department of Groundwater mentions

an increase of 3.155 million cubic metres and 6.59 mlllion cubic metres of

recharge in groundwater in the years 2000..and 2001 respectively. Over 65 lakh

seedlings such as those of Red Sanders, Margosa, Teak, Sampangi, Tamarind,

Gooseberry and Blackberry have been planted under the Haritha project. Over

40 tons of seeds of Margosa, Tamarind and Blackberry have also been planted.

To protect the forests on the hills from fires, 130 kilometre-long fire lines have

been constructed, besides 60 kilometre-long fire walls. A special squad canying

walkie talkies has been appointed to report forest fires, facilitating immediate

action. One of the main objectives of the Haritha Project is the development of

areas around the important Tirthas on the Tirumala Hills. 20,000 saplings have

been planted in the premises of S.V. Ruia Hospital, BIRRD, SVlMS and the

Ayuweda Hospital. Avenue plantation has been carried out on the Tirupati - Renigunta road and Tirupati - Tiruchanoor road, covering a distance of 15

kilometres

1.9. Educedlonsl AcUvilles In 1876, when the temple administration was under

the control of the Mahant of Hathiramjee Mutt, an educational institution called

the Hindu High School was founded in Vellore (North Arcot District, Tamilnsdu).

In 1886, another Hindu High School was estabbhed in Tirupati. After TID came

into being, the names of both schools were changed to SV High School. Today,

TTD runs separate degree colleges, junior colleges and high schools for boys

and girls, in and around Tirupati. It also runs a degree college in New Delhi. With

a view to propagate and popularise Sanskrit and other andent languages, Tm

has established the Sri Venkateswara Onental High School and Sri

Venkateswara Oriental College at Tirupati, and the SVWS College at

Hyderabad. TTD also runs a Music and Dance college to impart ancient Indian

Arts. TTD maintains a Vedapatasala and Sculpture Training Centre. TTD has

also founded an Ayuweda College, to train students in India's age old medical

system.

The list of the colleges promoted and maintained by the 'llD management is as

follows.

Unhrersities: Sri Venkateswam Institute of Medical Sciences,Tirupatl, Sri

Venkateswara Vedic University, Tirupati.

Professional Colleges Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic College,Tlrupati , Sri

Padmavathi Women's Polytechnic, TirupaU, Sri Venkateswara Yoga Institute,

Tirupati , Sri Venkateswara College of Musk and Dance, Tirupeti

Oriental Colleges Sri Venkateswan Oriental College, Tirupatl, Sri

Venkateswara W S College, Secunderabad

Degrw Colleges Sri Venkateswara College, New Rlhl , Srl Venkatewara Me

college, Tirupati, Sri Padmavathi Women's College, Tirupati , Srl Govlndaraja

Swami Alts Cdfege, Tirupati,

Junior Collegs, Sri Venkateswara Junior College, Tlnrpati, Sri Padmavathi

Women's Junior College, Tirupati

High &hook Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary Schojl, Vehm, Srl

Venkatwara High School, Tirupeti , Sri Padmavathi Girls Hlgh School, hipat1 , sos ~ i h School, Tirupati , Sri Venkatewm Orlental High School, nrupeti ,

SKRS (EM) ~ i g h school, Tirupatr , Sri Venkslsrwara Hlgh School, Tirumah,

Elementary Schools Sri Venkateswara Elementary School, Tirupati, SKS

Elementary School, Thatithopu, Sri Venkateswara Elementary School, Tirumala , Sri Venkateswara Elementary School, Tirumala.

In addition to the above, TTD board allocates certain amount of grant to the

different universities in and around Tirupati viz., Sri Venkateswara University, Sri

Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Sri

Venkateswara Veterinary University to meet the expenses for their general and

specific activities.

1.10. Dhannlc Activities: TTD is interested in propagating Dharma Concept

among the masses. To achieve this they have taken initiative in establishing

Dharma Prachara Parishad (DPP), Sri Venkateswara Employees Training

Academy (SVETA) which have been assigned specific roles.

SV Central Library and Research Centre (SVCLRC) was established by TTD

in 1993. It houses approximately 40,000 volumes of rare and valuable books,

mainly on religion and philosophy.

The Research Wing of SVCLRC works towards studying and publishing material

related to Hindu religion and philosophy, and producing authentic papers on

original Sanskrit texts along with lucid translations. The objectives of the project

are :

To enable pilgrims to enjoy a memorable and soul-satisfying pilgrimage and

provide them with the facility of reference to such appropriate documents and

publications which will make the pilgrimage rewarding and purposeful.

To spread awareness of the glories of Sanathana Dharma and to resuscitate the

fundamental values based on Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram (Truth, Joy and

Beauty).

To spread the philosophy of Hinduism, Hindu culture, Epics, Puranas, History,

Sciences, Mythology, etc., alongwith the tenets of comparative Religion.

To promote art and culture and collect at one centre outatanding works,

treatises, publications relating to the various forms, styles and modes of

Presentation of art including fine arts, dance, drama, music, folk arts, folk musk,

marshal arts,paintings and the like.

To establish a well equipped library of lndology and a Reading Room. To establish a museum of manuscripts, historical records, coins, peintings and

other antiquities.

To provide pilgrims with the facility of referring to documents and publications

during their stay in Ti~mala and Tirupati

To establish a Religious centre to continuously produce such works that throw

light upon the various facets of Sanathana Manava Dhana.

To conduct lectures, seminars, study groups, workshops, etc., on problems

related to Sanathana Dharma.

To publish research papers, treaties, books and pfiodlcals and other lltenture

relating to Sanathana Dharma.

To work in collaboraUon with similar libraries, remarch centres and univsrsitlm;

to co-operate with other societies, institutions - national and International,

engaged in the pursuit of any of the said objectives.

To receive grants from the Titumala Ti~pat i Devasthanems, Central and State

Governments and gifts, donations, benefactions, bequeaths and transfers d

properties, both movable and immovable fmm donors, benefactors, te8tatm or

tmnsferers, as the case may be.

To propagate the ideals of l l D in furtherance of well-being to humanity.

To deal with any property belonging a vested in the Institute (Library) In any

manner, w h i i is considered nscessery for promoting the said ob)ects.

To demand and m t v e such fees, dsp4sb and other charges a8 may k prescribed by regulations.

TO do all other such deeds either singly or in COnj~ndiOn with othum are or incidentel or conductive to the of the 0bl)scbr sated herein of any of

them. TO en&r into an agreement w rn- with my 0 t h roday, fo~ndvtian lor

any other party having legal ent& or indiddual for the purposm of the roday.

Apart from publishing the Sapthagiri magazine and encouraging authors of

spiritual and religious literature through the 'Aid to Authors Scheme'.

TTD is involved In several projects pertaining to the following subjects:

Rigveda: l T D has published the entire Rigveda in Telugu running to five volumes

under the editorship of Dr. Vadlamudi Gopalakrishnaiah.

Yajurveda: The entire Krishna Yajurveda has been prepared by (Late) R Krishna

Murthy Sastri. Of the twelve skandas, 6 have been published.

Athanraveda: Five volumes have been published so far in Telugu under the

editorship of (Late) Vidwan Viswam.

Arsha Vignana Sarvasvamu: This is an encyclopaedia of ancient Hindu religious

literature running into ten volumes. Three volumes (Veda Samhita, Brahmanas

and Aranyakas) have been published so far.

Srimad Bhagavatham: This project involves bringing out a critique of the

Bhagavatham in Sanskrit with Advaita, Dvaita and Visistadvaita commentaries

under the editorship of Sri N C V Narasimhacharya. So far, the first skanda and

two parts of the tenth skanda have been released.

Bhagavatha Sudhalahari: This project involves translating the Bhagavatham to

Telugu. The first three kandas were prepared by Late Puttaparthy

Narayanacharyulu and the remaining skandas were entrusted to Sri M

Sarabheswara Sarrna.

Pothana Bhagavatham: has been brought out with prose rendition in Telugu

under the editorship of (Late) Karunasri.

Srinivasa Bala Bharati: The books under this series are exclusively meant for our

young readers. Of the proposed 200 titles, 75 titles have been published so far.

Kavitraya Bharatham: TTD seeks to publish the Kavitraya Bharatham in 15

volumes, with paraphrase, word-to-word meaning and special notes on the works

of Nannayya, Tikkanna and Erranna in Telugu, under the editorship of Sri GV

Subramanyam.

Publication and Reprinting of Agama books: l T D is involved in publishing books

on various systems of temple worship like Vaikhanasa and Pancharatra

Agamas.

In addition to these projects, TTD has published works like the Bharatha Kosa,

Bhagavad Gita, Maharshula Charitralu, Sangeetha Sourabhamu and

Bharatheeya Tatva Sastramu written by reputed scholars.

TTD publications will be in different languages viz., Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil,

Kannada, Hindi, Urdu, and English.

1.11. R eligious activities

The list of the religious activities done by l T D include Dharma Prachara

Parishad, Annamacharya Project, Dasa Sahitya Project , Alwar Divya Prabhanda

Project, Sri Venkateswara Veda Recording Project , Srl Venkateswara Video

Audio Recording Projed, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Traditional Sculpture and

Architecture , Temple Renovation and Reconstruction and Supply of Equipment

to Other Temples at Subsidised Rates

Dharma Prachara Parishad The Dharma Prachara Parishad (DPP) was

established to propagate the Hindu dharma, conduct religious programmes and

inculcate spiritual awareness among the people. It has 20 centres in Andhra

Pradesh and 3 centres in the neighbouring states. Under the Veda Parayana

Scheme, nearly 500 Vedic pandits render Veda Parayanam in temples and

receive Sambhavana as per the qualifications - ghanapati, kramapati and old

pandi. The Kumara Adhyapaka Scheme encourages students to learn the

Vedas, by paying them a stipend during the period of study. Dharma Prachara

Parishad maintains two Veda Patasalas, one at Dharmagiri in Tlmmala and the

other at Keesarsgutta in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pfedesh. The students

are paid a stipend for the entire course, besides free boarding and lodging.

Rnancial assistance is provided to organisations to develop Veda Pathasalas,

conduct Veda Sammelanaa, Yajnams, etc. DPP also maintains a Pouranika

Training Centre at Tinrpati to preserve the tradition of Purana Pravachanam.

Regular programmes like Harikathas, musical concerts and discourses are

conducted at Asthana Mandapam in Tirumala, Annamacharya Kala Mandiram,

Tirupati and surrounding places like Narayanavanam and Nagalapuram. DPP

organises Yajnams, Bhajan melas and Geeta Yajnams in selected towns like

Mumbai, Calcutta, Kolhapur, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam and Guntur with the co-

operation of local organisations. The field staff organise religious programmes in

remote villages. DPP distributes selected reading materials and conducts an

Epics Study examination for school-going children throughout Andhra Pradesh,

and presents awards to the top-rankers.Under this scheme more than 2 Lakhs

children are trained. DPP also conducts special religious programmes during

fairs and festivals, like Brahmotstava, Pushkaraotsava and at celebrations

conducted by other religious institutions.

Annamacharya Project Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya was a saint composer in

the fifteenth century, who hailed from the Tallapaka village, in the Rajampet

mandal of Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Annamacharya was the

very first vaggeyakara (composer) in Telugu and established a tradition which

was later followed by a number of saint composers like Tyagaiah and Kshetraiah.

Annamacharya composed 32,000 keertanas (devotional songs) in praise of Lord

Venkateswara. The Annamacharya Project was established in 1978 with a view

to propagate the tatwa and mahatwa of Lord Sri Venkateswara. Using the vast

creative literature of the Tallapaka poet, the Annamacharya project seeks to

inculcate Madhura BhaMi and Saranagati to Lord Venkateswara, amongst the

public. The project functions through three wings - Music, Research and

Publications, and Recording. Young and talented artistes, in both vocal and

instrumental music, form music troupes which perform across India - in temples,

music sabhas (concerts), important pilgrim centres, educational institutions,

villages and other cultural organisations.Every year Annarnacharya Vardhanti

festivals are conducted in Tirumala, Tirupati and Tallapaka, the birth place of

Annamacharya. Annamacharya Jayanti festivals are also conducted at the

national level. Group rendering of Annarnacharya Saptagiri sankeertanas by

eminent musicians and artistes belonging to the project is organised in Andhm

Pmdesh during the Annamacharya Vardhanti and Jayanti festivals.

Annamacharya Aradhana Festivals are also conducted every year.

Annamacharya keertanas are rendered daily during the Unjal Seva of Srivaru in

the l hma la temple, and in other local TTD-managed temples. Annamacharya

has composed a number of folk versions of his keertanas like, Jajaras, Dampulla

songs, Suwi songs, Elapadas and duets. Music concerts, Harikathas and folk

programs are conducted regularly. The Annamacharya Project plans to introduce

a two-year certificate course, in which young music artistes will be provided with

intensive training in Annamachalya compositions. The objective of this course is

to familiarise young artistes with the literature and music of Annamacharya

Vangmayam.

On behalf of the Annamacharya Project, research fellowships are granted to

young researchers who pursue doctoral programmes on Annamacharya's life

and works. To date, nearly 50 dissertations have been produced by different

universities. Efforts are on to obtain technical recognition from Sri Venkateswara

University to streamline research activities with a techno-academic outlook.

Annamacharya's compositions and the works of other Tallapaka poets are

printed and published from time to time, according to the demand from devotee8

and researchers.

To popularise Annamacharya's songs, audio cassettes are produced and

marketed. The recording work is carried out by the Sri Venkateswara Recording

project in coordination with the Annamacharya project. Artistes belonging to the

Annamacharya project, as well as other professional artistee lend their voices for

recotding. Music stalwarts like M S Subbulakshrni, M Balamurall Krishna, Voteti

Venkatmarlu, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Nookela Chlnna Sathyanarayana, Mani

Krishnaswamy, Vani Jayararn, Sobha Raju and others have lent their voices to

the cause of the project.

Ahar Divya Prabandha, Dasa Sahitya, Bhagavata, Veda Recording, and

publicatjons are coordinated and Uley are kept under the direct control of

Annamacharya Project.

Dasa SahiVa project The Dasa Sahitya Project propagates and ~o~ularises the literature of the saint composers of Karnataka, p0pularlY known as Kamataka

Haridasas, who enriched Kannada religious literature with their hymns.

Kamataka Haridasas who brought the esoteric Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas

within the reach of the common man in lyrical form in simple Kannada, composed

thousands of hymns in praise of Lord Sri Venkateswara, thus preaching devotion

of God. Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, Vijayadasa, Sripadaraja, Vyasaraja,

Vadiraja, Gopaladasa and Jagannathadasa were some of the luminaries in the

galaxy of Karnataka Haridasas who treaded the path of dualism paved by Sri

Madhwacharya. This lineage of Karnataka Haridasas has produced around 400

saint-composers. The Dasa Sahitya Project aims at acquainting people with the

lives and teachings of Kamataka Haridasas; spirituality, righteousness and

morals preached by them, thus inculcating devotion in general and devotion to

Lord Sri Venkateswara in particular. This is achieved through Publications,

Exhibitions, Audio Cassettes, Religious and Cultural Programmes. The

publications of the Dasa Sahitya Project inc1ude:Abridged biographies of

Kamataka Haridasas for children in various languages, Biographies of Kamataka

Haridasas in the form of essays, Harikathas, Burrakathas, plays, ballets, etc.in

various languages , Kamataka Haridasa literature with exhaustive commentaries

in various languages , Hymns with musical notations , Sayings of the Kamataka

Haridasas in various languages in the 'Thus Spake' series , Booklets in various

languages with brief information on the main features of the Dasa Sahitya

Exhibition, such as the Process of Creation, Devatas, Ornkar, Kesava and other

forms of the Lord, Kamalas, Papapurusha Visarjana, etc.

Papers presented by scholars at seminars conducted by the project, Works of

comparative studies on the literature of Kamataka Haridasas and saint-

composers of other languages, Glossary of Kamataka Haridasas Literature ,

Rare, unpublished works of Kamataka Haridasas, Photos of Kamataka

Haridasas, in tricolour.

Photographs of places connected to the Kamataka Haridasas; idols of Gods and

Goddesses worshipped by them; articles used by them and photographs of

temples constructed by them Oil paintings depicting the teachings of the

Kamataka Haridasas; philosophy and the secrets of Creation as evinced by them

Audio Cassettes of songs composed by Kamataka Haridasas and their

biographies in the form of Harikathas by renowned singers are brought out.

The Project conducts the following religious and cultural programmes:

Amdhanas of Kamataka Haridasas: These programmes have religious

discourses, Harikathas, and musical concerts as main features, and Bhajans and

quiz contests as special attractions, arranged at various places in connection

with the VardhantislJayanthis of Karnataka Haridasas.

Summer Camps: Recitation of 'Harikathamritasara' discourses on Dasa Sahitya,

teaching of Haridasa compositions and religious texts are the main features of

the Summer Camp.

Metlotsavam: Climbing the Seven Hills in the traditional manner, as taught by the

Kamataka Haridasas; singing of Bhajans by thousands of members of the

Bhajan troupes attired in Haridasa-fashion, and processlon of Haridasa portraits

through the main streets of Tirupati. Bhajan and quiz contests are the main

features of Metlotsavam.

'Samyojana' of Bhajan Troupes: Teaching Bhajan troupes Haridasa compositions

according to the tradition introduced by the school; providing them with perfected

versions of Haridasa compositions in the order of Taaratamya; registering the

Bhajan troupes with h e project for achieving uniformity in Bhajan singing and

popularising sankeertans through Bhajans.

Seminars on Dasa Sahiia: Arranging discourses on 'Dasa Sahiia' by reputed

scholars and publishing the papen presented by them. Dasotsavams; Lectures

by scholars on the literature of 213 Kamataka Haridasas, based on comparative

study; music concerts and Bhajans comprising songs compoBed by Haridasas

and Harlkathas. The above programmes are arranged at various places every

year. Local Aradhana Comm.Mm, Bhajan troupe8 and other religious and

wltural associations are encouraged to participate and condud programmes The

easy path to deliverance, as shown by the Haridasas, is through Hari Bhajan.

They taught, "Hari Bhajana Maado Nirantara - Paragatigidu Nirdhara", meaning

perform Hari Bhajan always;The only way to Mukti is the preachings of

Haridasas. The great soul who introduced the Taaratamya-Bhajan was Saint

Purandaradasa, a pioneer of kamatic music. He spread the Taaratamya Bhajan

culture throughout the nation. However, the ethos and regulations he introduced

have since disappeared. The Dasa Sahitya Project has taken up the task of

popularislng the traditional Bhajan. Its main objectives are to: Inculcate dharma in

society through Bhajan Mandals, Establish Bhajan groups throughout the Nation,

Encourage existing Bhajan Mandals, Encourage Bhajan Mandals to celebrate the

Aradhanas of Karnataka Haridasas, Popularise the use of "Hare Srinivasa" as a

salutation among members of Bhajan Mandals. To turn out good quality work the

project has an Advisory Board and Expert Committee, comprising eminent

scholars, which reviews programmes and helps plan various activities involving

research, publication and propagation. -

Alwar Divya Prabandha ProJecf was launched by TTD in 1991. Its main

objective is to popularise the l ie and works of the twelve Alwars and other

Acharya Purushas who belong to Srivaishnava Cult. The programmes and

discourses are designed in such a way as to spread the message of Madhura

Bhakti and Saranagathi that was preached by the Saint Composer of Nalayira

Divya Prabandham. The programmes are arranged throughout the country. The

project emphasises the contribution of Sri Ramanuja, the great Srivaishnava

saint. He had travelled extensively in South India to popularise and propagate the

4000 Tamil hymns which are known as Nalayira divya Prabandham. Among the

4000, 206 hymns are in praise of Lord Sri Venkateswara and sung by nine

Alwars and Andal. The Tiruppavai discourses during Dhanurmasam (from about

December 16th to the middle of January), are being arranged in All India Level.

Sri Ramanuja also arranged and regularised several temple procedures, of which

the Divya Prabandham is given a unique honour in the daily rituals at the Sri

Venkateswara temple and other TTD temples. It is recited before the procession

of deities forming the Adhyapak Goshti, and the twelve Alwars belonging to the

6th and 8th centuries who are considered incarnations of the Lord's several

divine Ayudhas and attendants.

Srikrishnadevaraya festivals are also being conducted every year.

Srikrishnadevaraya is a distinguished ruler of Vijayanagara Empire who

contributed a lot for the promotion and propagation of Hindu Dharrna in general

and Srivaishnava cult in particular. The Avatharotsavams of the sages belongs to

Vaishnava tradition is also being conducted on behalf of this Project. Through

special programmes on specific occasions, publications and audio cassettes the

project popularizes the work of Alwars.

Veda Recording Project The Vedas which are a source of spiritual wisdom,

reflect the ancient culture of India. Out of 1100 sakhas, only a few of the original

sakhas survive today. They have been handed down orally from guru to sishya,

so as to preserve their correct rendering with proper accent and intonation.

The number of such preceptors who can render the different sakhas are

gradually dwindling due to economic and social changes. Reallsing the urgent

need for preserving the rendering of the surviving Vedic sakhas, TTD has taken

up the gigantic project of recording the rendering of Vedas available today, for

posterity.

Apart from recording, the rendering of the Vedas, chanting8 are also recorded.

Srl Venkateswara Recording Pmject was established in 1990 to group all the

activities of l 7 D relating to recording. l l D is focussing on the propagation of

Lord Sri Venkateswara's Bhakti Tatva through the compositions of Ahvan,

Annamacharya and the Kamataka Haridasas. Further TTD is also concentrating

on the propagation of vebic literature.

This project produces, distributes and markets TTD prs-recorded cassates (both

video and audio) of Vedas, Puranams, Sankeertanas, Pravschanams, Temple

chantings, Srivari Brahmotsavams and other ternpie rituals at s u b s i i rates.

srt Venkatesvm ~ n ~ t ~ t ~ t e of T d o n a / Scufpfure and Archifecfun was founded to preserve and promote the age-old cultural heritage of lndia in the areas of traditional scu$ture and architecture. This institute is the first of its kind

in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the second in India. The instit~tion was

started to train students in the traditional arts of stone carving, sudai (cement),

metal and wood sculpture, traditional painting and temple architecture. The

institute provides the skill base for renovating temples managed by TTD as well

as those that come under the governance of the Endowments Department,

Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Production Unit of the institute currently

deals in stone sculpture according to traditional Hindu mythology and Shilpa

Shastra. The unit is proposed to be expanded to cover metal and wood

sculpture, temple architecture and traditional painting. There are also plans to

start a degree level course in traditional sculpture and architecture The institute

sculpts stone idols based on specifications given by various temples in lndia and

abroad. Idols of Sri Venkateswara and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru are supplied

and installed, free of cost, at different temples, on request. Other idols are

supplied at subsidized rates. The institute offers a certificate course in Traditional

Sculpture and Architecture (CTSA). It also offers a diploma in Traditional

Sculpture and Architecture (DTSA), which is affiliated to the State Board of

Technical Education and Training (SBTET), Hyderabad. Both courses are of four

years duration. Currently, the institute has 20 students for CTSA and 20 for

DTSA. The non-local trainees are given free boarding and lodging. Local

candidates are paid a stipend. Final year students are taken on an educational

tour to temples of historical importance across lndia for conducting a detailed

study of temple sculpture and architecture of the ancient dynasties.

Temple Renovathn and Reconstruction The Renovation sub-division of TTD

was established to restore Hindu sculpture and architecture according to the

Silpa Agarna Sastra. It safeguards and promotes ancient Hindu architecture.

Apart from the temples in the Tirurnala-Tirupati area, TTD also manages the Sri

Pattabhi Ramaswami Temple at Vayalpad, and the Sri Venkateswara Temple

and the Sri Chandra Mouleswaraswami Temple, both at Rishikesh.

Plans for the Future Redesign of the Putakulla Mitta area, construction of the

Kalyanotsava Mandapam at Tirumala , construction of an Aina Mahal at the Sri

Govindarajaswamy Temple and at Tiruchanoor, new steps to Pushkarini,

construction'of the second Prakaram around the Sriveri Temple at Tirumala,

rennovation of the gopuram and maha ratharn at the Sri Pattabi Ramaswami

Temple in Vayalpad, construction of the second Prakaram around the Srivari

Temple at Tinrmala , Cut stone steps to Srivari rnettu foot path and flooring at

Kalyana katta , Ornamental arches at important places at Tirumala and Tirupati

and Cut stone flooring at Kalayana Katta Annadanam, etc.

Supply o f Equipment to Other Temples at Subsidised Rates TTC) supplies

stone and panchaloha vigrahams (statues) at subsidised rates to other temples.

For temples dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, TTD supplies stone vigrahams of

Sri Venkateswara and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru, according to the height

specifications (the height of the vigrahams should not exceed five feet). These

vigrahams are supplied free of cost, on production of certificates and

recommendations from the officials (of the rank of Assistant Commissioner and

above) of the Endowments Department.

Stone and panchaloha vigrahams of other deities are supplied by l l D at a

subsidy of 50%. TTD also supplies microphone sets and temple umbrellas at a

subsidy of 50%. The microphone set includes an amplifier, two speakers, a tape

recorder and cable with some audio cassettes. Umbrellas include two six-span

umbrellas.

Seshavasthram is a silk saree that has been used once in temples of Srl

Venkateswara, Tinrmala and Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple, Ti~chanoor.

These seshavasthrams are also supplied to temples. An application for the

seshavasthrams should be made by the wncemed temple authorities and is to

be routed through the State Endowments Department. Attematively, any sitting

member of the TTC] Trust Board can recommend the supply of such items.

An overview of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams covering the aspects of

Temple legends, history, TTD foramation and its growth, different temples under

TTD management, devotees' facilities, Social Activities, Environmental Activities,

Educational Activities, Dharrnic Activities and Religious activities is discussed in

this chapter.