The TTD is determined to convert the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara into ‘Akshaya Kshetram’ — wherein every pilgrim visiting the renowned shrine is provided with free food.
The free supply of food which earlier was made available only at the TTD Nitya Annadanam Complex is now catered at the Vaikuntam-II meant for the ordinary pilgrims and to those being housed in the newly-constructed Divya and Seeghra darshanam waiting sheds.
This apart, the management has also recently opened additional annaprasadam counters at three vantage points — the Central Reception Office (CRO), Pilgrims amenities Complex – 1 and at the bus station in the vicinity of the Ram Bagicha Guest House (RBGH) — for the supply of food to the devout.
The scheme under which a meagre 2,000 pilgrims were fed during the initial stages of its inception in 1985 at present takes pride in providing free food to about one lakh pilgrims everyday.
With a corpus fund of about Rs. 800 crore, the Nitya Annadanam Trust, which operates the scheme, has turned into a lucent feather in the crown of the celebrated religious institution, regarded as the second richest next to the Vatican in terms of income.
With a wish to make the trust self-reliant and ensure that every devotee visiting the sacred town is provided with free food, the management has now
liberalised the donation process under which the donor shall be provided with the e-passbook within 48 hours of his making the donation.
According to TTD Executive officer D. Sambasiva Rao, devotees can also generously contribute to the scheme to mark the special occasions in their lives like birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
In case a devotee comes forward with a donation of Rs. 25 lakh, he will be treated as the privileged donor who shall be bestowed with the honour of bearing the entire cost of feeding about one lakh devotees on that particular day and extended with additional facilities on par with other donors.
Likewise, 1,000 pilgrims will be fed in a day on behalf of the donor contributing Rs. 25,000.
Presentation to temple
The Tirumala-based TTD JEO K.S. Srinivasa Raju on Monday presented a pair of ‘silk vastrams’ to the famous temple of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Yadagirigutta in Nalgonda.
The customary presentation was made on behalf of the TTD in connection with the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams at the temple.
Nalgonda Collector Anitha Ramachandran, temple Chairman Narasimhamurthy, Executive Officer Geetha and chief priest Lakshmi Narasimhacharyulu were among those present.