TTD to construct Sarva Darshan Complex

- EO unfurls national flag at Republic Day celebrations
- Calls upon employees to serve pilgrims to the best of their abilities
- Reiterates TTD’s commitment to render services to devotees with transparency utilising technology

Tirupati: The 68th Republic Day fete was celebrated with patriotic fervour by the temple management of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) here on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national flag, Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao called upon the employees to draw inspiration from the great leaders of the country and rededicate themselves to serve the pilgrims to the best of their abilities.

He reiterated the TTD’s commitment to render services with transparency making use of technology. Setting up of the swiping machines at Tirumala and Tirupati helped the pilgrims to cope up with cash crunch in the aftermath of demonetisation, he said adding that the `Mobile app’ to be introduced soon for booking rooms and darshan will see Tirumala pilgrimage more smoother for devotees.

He said efforts are on to enhance IT services in accommodation and darshan booking with the help of TCS and HCL.

On the future initiatives, the EO said construction of a Sarva Darshan complex will be taken up on the lines of the existing Divya Darshan complex soon and added that the TTD will make special efforts for development of local temples, protection and promotion of Desi cows under Gosamrakshana.

He maintained that the temple Pujas, festivals and rituals are being observed as per the prescribed norms of Vaikhanasa Agama without any deviation and dwelled at length on the details of pilgrims who had darshan and the revenue the TTD had earned in 2016. In all 2.66 crore pilgrims had darshan of Lord Venkateswara out of which 67.66 lakh are pedestrian pilgrims and 71 lakh are Rs 300 special darshan pilgrims.

So far about 85.36 lakh pilgrims from 120 countries had darshan of Lord through Rs 300 special darshan after the new facility was introduced.

On the measures taken up by TTD for promotion of Bhakti, Rao said Annamaiah Sankeertans went global with the TTD displaying 14,000 Sankeertans and 3,800 publications on its official website and so far 11 lakh netizens browsed the site for the songs. Annamaiah Pataku Pattabhishekam CDs@Rs 30 each have been placed for sale at all TTD stalls.

To improve services to pilgrims, the Satya Sai organisation has been training Srivari Sevakulu, he said and informed that over seven lakh Srivari Sevaks took part in service in TTD during the last 16 years.

EO complimented TTD PR and IT wings for rendering best services. He said that the sales wing of Publication under the PR department has done a marvelous job by selling 32 lakh calendars and 10 lakh diaries in three months.

Earlier, the students of S V Balamandir presented `Talli Bharathi Vandanam’ ballet which was followed by many cultural programmes.