Tirumala: In recognition of the services, offerings, and acts of devotion rendered to Lord Venkateswara by the descendants of the Mysuru Maharaja, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams allotted 7.5 acres of land for Karnataka devotees to stay. The Karnataka government built a choultry there. Located opposite the museum, many devotees book in advance and stay there with their families.
In this situation, a resolution was passed at the cabinet meeting led by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to hand over this fort to the Tourism Department. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board of Trustees member Bhanuprakash Reddy, along with parties including the Telugu Desam Party and several Hindu organizations, has expressed opposition to this.
In an interview given to ‘Hindu Tamil Thisai,’ Banupirakash Reddy said: Every inch of Tirumala belongs to the deity of Seven Hills. No one else can claim ownership. The land was allotted as a mark of respect to the Maharaja of Mysore. But the Karnataka government has allotted it to the tourism department and is planning to hand it over to a private party. Behind this, there is a former Congress MP.
They are planning to run shops and hotels and make crores in profits. That will never happen. We will not give even an inch to private parties. The Karnataka government must abandon this project. Otherwise, the temple administration will take the land back. Under Devasthanam Act 30/1987, these properties belong only to Lord Venkateswara.
The Karnataka government has no authority over these matters. No one accepted Sivakumar’s statement that Karnataka ministers, MPs, and MLAs visiting Tirumala should offer nitya harathi. A notice will be sent to him after consulting with the trust board and officials. It is not good to try to turn a sacred pilgrimage site into a commercial center and a political arena. He said this.
