Seers seek probe by apex court Judge

Tirupati: A meeting of heads of Hindu religious institutions held here on Saturday demanded the government to set up a committee headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge for the verification of the jewels of Lord Venkateswara temple, Tirumala to dispel the doubts raised on the safety of the jewels.

1. The heads of Hindu religious institutions at a meeting demand setting up of State-level Hindu Dharmika Parishad 
2. The Swamijis oppose use of TTD funds for government sponsored schemes

The Swamijis who met along with the functionaries and activists of various Hindu organisations under the aegis of Tirumala Tirupati Parirakshana Samithi (TTPS) had in-depth discussion on various issues relating to the temples, measures to be taken up for the rejuvenation of the temples and other aspects like hereditary temple services before adopting the five resolutions.

Briefing media on the resolutions adopted, Hampi Peetadhipathi Virupakasha Vidyaranya Swamiji said considerable number of donation of valuable ornaments made of gold, diamond and other precious metals were received in the famous temple of Lord Venkateswara after the verification of jewels was done 10 years ago. It is rather imperative to take up the verification again, more so in the wake of serious doubts raised by many people on the safety of jewels.

As the verification of Tirumala temple jewels was done by Justice Wadhwa Committee and Justice Jaganadha Rao committee ten years back, the verification of the jewels should be done again by a sitting Supreme Court judge, he said.

Swamijis meet wanted the government to set up the state level Hindu Dharmika Parishad immediately as it was pending since 2014 i.e. after the new government came, to look after the issues of the temples in the state. It also sought the government to continue the hereditary services in the temples including the famed Tirumala temple without any dilution and felt that it was essential to ensure day to rituals done in a proper manner uninterruptedly in all the shrines in the state. 

With the retirement of the hereditary Archakas, many temples were left with no priests, they pointed out while seeking the continuation of all hereditary services including priests and other categories.
The meet also demanded the government to repatriate the employees who are not Hindus, working in the temple administrations (Devasthanams) including TTD to other government departments and also urged to stop utilisation of TTD funds to government sponsored schemes or development initiatives. 

The TTD funds should be spent only for devotees’ purposes and also on the services taken up by the TTD, they said. Sri Kamalananda Bharathi Swamji said that the religious heads lauded the TTD which as the biggest Hindu religious institution taking up propagation of Sanathana Dharma at global level and also for taking up social services like health, education and poor feeding on a massive scale while stressing on upholding its image and sanctity. Everyone should observe restraint while making any criticism on TTD, he pointed out.

He said that a delegation Swamijis will meet the higher officials and also TTD management for the implementation of the resolutions. It was also decided to hold a similar meeting of Swamijis after a month in Amaravati to decide future course of action based on the response from government and TTD. Notable among the Swamiji attended include Sri Paripoornananda Swamy of Sri Peetam, Swamy Swarupananda of Lalitha Peetam, Nirmalananda Yogabharathi and others.