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Srivari’s sibling gets paltry offerings from devotees
Money makes many things. The shrine of Sri Govindaraja Swamy in this temple town is a classic case in point suggesting that even the deities are seemingly no exception to this popular maxim.
Tirupati: Money makes many things. The shrine of Sri Govindaraja Swamy in this temple town is a classic case in point suggesting that even the deities are seemingly no exception to this popular maxim.
When multitudes of devotees literally make the deity at Tirumala feel stifled, the temple in Tirupati however wears a near-deserted picture for want of visitors almost round the year. When both the deities are siblings as per sthalapuranas, why is this difference then in every respect?
Thousands of devotees keep chanting the divine name “Govinda. Govinda and Govinda”—meaning the finder and protector of Veda-while driving up the Seven Hills, trekking through the steep pathways and in long queues—but grossly ignore the deity in existence by that name in the town at the foot of the hill.
The devout go to any extent in pulling the strings and secure recommendation letters by hanging around the power centres for a darshan at the Balaji temple for a few seconds weathering jostling by the discourteous temple personnel and near-stampede situations and get back in the same haste skipping the ‘Big Brother’.
According to Sthalapuranam, it’s the deity of Govindaraja who helps his younger brother Balaji enter wedlock with Goddess Padmavathi by securing a loan from Kubera, the god of wealth. It is also believed that Govindaraja is the custodian of the wealth of Venkateswara Swamy .
But the belief that the visit to Govindarajaswamy temple brings in a `jinx’ robs the temple of its glow. As if lending credence to such beliefs, a top VVIP stepped down from his office soon after his visit to the temple at Tirupati sometime back.
As the word spreads from mouth to mouth, it has an adverse impact on the VIP footfalls. It is evident that even the officers appointed as Executive Officers of the TTD choose to avoid visiting Govindaraja Swamy temple.
As per Vaishnava tradition, the deity of Govindaraja is on a higher plane. Yet, He looks `dwarfed’ before his younger brother. Meanwhile, the ancient temple was acclaimed by Vaishanava saints, Alwars and the Peetadhipathis of age-old Vaishanva Mutts like Ahobilam, Parakala, Andavan, Vanamamali etc. who even today scrupulously follow the practice of visiting the shrine at Tirupati first and then move to the abode of Venkateswara Swamy.
A senior official in the Tirumala Tirupati Devesthanams (TTD) said the devotee footfall in the Govindaraja Swamy temple will never cross 2 per cent when compared to the crowds hitting Tirumala.
The annual revenue of Lord Govindaraja Swamy temple through Hundi offerings is about Rs 10 crore where as the earnings of Balaji crosses Rs 1,000 crore. While about 20-25 lakh devotees visit the shrine at Tirumala every month, the figure never cross 2 lakh at Govindaraja Swamy temple.
