Limit Tirumala visits, V-P to VIPs

Tirumala: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu advised VIPs not to visit Tirumala frequently, especially during auspicious days as it would create inconvenience to common devotees in having Lord’s darshan. “The VIPs who are coming repeatedly for darshan of Lord Venkateswara should cooperate with TTD officials in the larger interests of the common devotees,” he said.

In his maiden visit to the temple after assuming the office of Vice-President of India on Thursday, Venkaiah Naidu offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara and paid obeisance to the deity along with his family members inside the sanctum sanctorum. 

Earlier, the Vice-President entered Tirumala temple through Vaikuntham queue complex as a common devotee. At Mahadwaram, he was accorded a warm welcome with amidst chanting of Vedic hymns.

Speaking to media persons outside the temple after having a darshan, Venkaiah said Hindu culture is the epitome of the world. “Hinduism is not a religion or cult but is a way of life as told by our ancestors, saintly persons like Sri Ramanujacharya. Our life as a human being will become meaningful only if we help others. If you can’t help, at least do not harm others.

Live and let others live. Keep all your egos, disparities and discriminations aside and follow the divine words of our predecessors who taught us ‘Sarve Jana Sukhinobhavanthu",  to lead a righteous way of life and live as ‘Vasudaika Kutumbam" (universal family). People should live in peace and harmony on the concept of universal brotherhood," he said.

Complimenting the pilgrim-friendly initiatives taken up by TTD authorities, the Vice President said, “TTD is doing impeccable service to a multitude of visiting pilgrims. I seldom come for darshan of the Lord, as every common individual should get the opportunity of Lord’s darshan.

I came along with my family and our village folks during my childhood. But still I feel darshan of Lord afresh whenever I visit His abode. That is the magnificent power of Universal Lord Venkateswara.”  Wishing every one Makara Sankranti wishes, the Vice-President aspired that Sankranti will bring ‘Navya Kanti’ (new light) in all our lives.  

Earlier, after the darshan, he was rendered Vedasirvachanam by vedic pundits in Ranganayakula Mandapam. TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal and JEO K S Sreenivasa Raju presented the dignitary sesha vastram, teertha-prasadam and a lamination photo of Lord Venkateswara.