Tirupati: Year 2024 posed challenges to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), with a series of controversies that significantly influenced the socio-political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. So much so, that the premier devasthanam of the south figured in the campaign for the nation-wide Lok Sabha elections and AP assembly polls.
The year’s biggest scandal emerged in September when Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSR Congress government of adulterating Tirumala laddus with ghee containing animal fat, sparking a national outrage. The CM referred to a report of the NDDB CALF laboratory in support of his charge. Supreme Court intervened by appointing a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter.
However, this and other controversies had no effect on Lord Venkateswara’s devotees. They continued to come to the hill temple on Tirumala in millions. Over 2.55 crore devotees had the darshan of Venkateswara Swamy in 2024.
The temple of the richest God received Rs 1,365 crore in hundi collections, the highest monthly collection of Rs 125 crore coming in August. The peak of 23 lakh footfalls came in May, driven by summer vacations, whereas other months saw devotees between 19 lakh to 22 lakh.
TTD’s annual budget of Rs 5,000 crore became a focal point of political discussions. However, the financial figures got overshadowed by a series of controversies. The year began with protests against the devasthanam’s decision to demolish ancient mandapams near Alipiri and Paruveta Mandapam in Tirumala, citing safety. Conservationists criticised the decision, accusing the TTD of neglecting the restoration efforts.
The devasthanam got embroiled in financial controversies during February when TTD deposited Rs 10 crore into Tirupati Cooperative Bank. It drew allegations from opposition parties, as the deposit came ahead of the State Legislative Assembly elections. TTD officials justified the move saying multiple options had been evaluated. The deposit went to the cooperative bank as it provided a higher interest rate of 8.4 per cent compared to the nationalised banks.
Again in February, a significant controversy arose on the spiritual side with the removal of Dr. A.V. Ramana Deekshitulu as the honorary chief priest. Ramana Deekshitulu had accused devasthanam officials, priests and Jeeyar Swamijis of violating Agama principles. However, TTD’s current chief priest A. Venugopala Deekshitulu has defended the temple’s practices, saying they are in consonance with the Vaikhanasa Agama traditions.
In June, the Jana Sena Party accused 32 mutts in Tirumala of indulging in corruption in collusion with TTD employees and leaders of YSR Congress, which had then been the ruling party. JSP president K. Pawan Kalyan, now the Deputy Chief Minister, alleged the mutts exploiting pilgrims by overcharging them for accommodation.
Amid these scandals, allegations of hundi offerings being stolen from the Parakamani arose after a clerk from the Tirumala Pedda Jeeyar Mutt stole foreign currency.
In November, the new TTD trust board led by chairman B.R. Naidu suspended Special Entry Darshan (SED) ticket allocations to state tourism corporations. This happened after TTD officials discovered that some of the staff had been diverting the tickets to private entities for personal gain.
Despite these controversies, TTD reached some significant milestones during 2024. TTD executive officer J. Syamala Rao launched the “Tirumala Vision 2047,” which aligns with the state’s “Swarna Andhra Vision 2047.” The Tirumala vision includes heritage preservation, environmental sustainability and urban planning to enhance the pilgrims’ experience while maintaining the temple’s sanctity.
The devasthanam has continued playing a role in national religious events, such as dispatching one lakh laddus to Ayodhya for the Ram Temple consecration. Its welfare initiatives included announcing house sites for over 6,000 workers and raising wages of 9,750 contract employees.
TTD is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the darshan process, so that devotees could have a quick darshan.
Overall, TTD is continuing to play a significant role on India’s religious and cultural landscape.
Key Highlights
Pilgrim Footfall and Achievements:
Over 2.55 crore pilgrims visited Tirumala temple in 2024.
Rs 1,365 crore Hundi collections, short of the Rs 1,600 crore target for 2024-25.
"Tirumala Vision 2047" aligned with "Swarna Andhra Vision 2047" launched, focussing on heritage preservation, urban planning, and ecological sustainability.
National Religious Events: Dispatched one lakh laddus to Ayodhya for the Ram temple consecration.
Employee Welfare Initiatives: House sites allotted to 6,000 employees, and wage increases for 9,750 contract workers.
Technological Advancements: Exploration of AI-based solutions to streamline darshan processes.
Controversies and Allegations:
Demolition of ancient mandapams near Alipiri and Paruveta Mandapam for safety.
Rs 10 crore deposit in Tirupati Cooperative Bank faced allegations of political bias.
Honorary Chief Priest Dr. A.V. Ramana Deekshitulu was removed after allegations of Agama deviations.
32 Mutts in Tirumala accused of overcharging and corruption by the Jana Sena party.
Alleged kickbacks in engineering works contracts, involving crores of rupees.
Misuse of SRIVANI Trust funds under scrutiny.
Theft of foreign currency in Parakamani revisited; opposition parties demanded a fresh probe.
Allegations of animal fat in ghee sparked outrage, supreme Court-constituted SIT initiated investigation
