It is now official! The Tirumal Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Monday formally launched the donation-linked darshan facility at the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateswara.
Briefing the media, TTD Additional Executive Officer A.V. Dharma Reddy said whoever donates ₹ 10,000 to the newly floated Sri Venkateswara Alaya Nirmana (SRIVANI) Trust will be given a privileged darshan ticket and facilitated with the darshan of the deity on par with protocol VIPs.
24x7 facility
A standalone 24x7 counter has been set-up for the purpose at the Gokulam Rest House. There will be on the spot issuance of darshan tickets and contributions to the Trust can be made either in cash or by card. Devotees can avail up to nine tickets by donating ₹ 99,000 without any recommendation. They will be allowed through a separate compartment at the Vaikuntam Complex for the deity’s darshan. However, each ₹ 500 VIP darshan ticket has to be paid for separately.
All the privileges being extended under other TTD run trusts will be available to those contributing ₹ 1 lakh and above. There is no upper limit for the donation.
The facility will be made available online by the first week of November.
Trust for expansion
The main idea behind the floating of SRIVANI Trust is to take up construction of the temples of Lord Venkateswara at all feasible towns and cities in the country, ensure dhoopa deepa naivedhyams and proper maintenance of existing temples in addition to promotion of Sanatana Hindu Dharma.
Mr. Reddy categorically said the scheme is not of commercial nature and has been introduced to encourage small donors who cannot donate ₹ 1 lakh and above. “This is the reason why the TTD has thought it wise to extend them (those donating less than Rs. One lakh) with one time darshan facility,” he said.
