Jewels row: Siva Swamy to launch Maha Padayatra on July 29

Tirupati: Sri Saiva Kshetra Peetadhipathi Siva Swamy will take up a ‘Chalo Tirupati Maha Padayatra’ movement to press for probe into the jewels of Tirumala temple and to overhaul the TTD administration.

Speaking to media here on Sunday, Siva Swamy said the Maha Padayatra will start from Sri Durgamalleswara Swamy temple in Vijayawada at 8 am on July 29 and conclude at Tirupati on August 12, where a massive public meeting will be held at Indira Maidanam in the pilgrim city.

Though a high-level probe was announced a month back after a series of allegations levelled by former chief priest of Tirumala temple A V Ramana Deekshitulu, he said nothing was materialised so far. Moreover, the TTD management failed to respect the sentiments of devotees of Hindu devotees which was evident with its recent move to stop darshan in Tirumala temple for more than a week, he said.

However, the TTD later hastily revoked its move after a wide spread condemnation from Hindu devotees all over the country, he said. About 500 seers including Peetadhipathis, Hindu activists and social body representatives will join the padayatra.