All about Tirumala trust, powerful board managing one of the richest temples in world

The Tirumala temple collects over Rs 1,400 crore each year and has assets worth Rs 3 lakh crore.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has passed a resolution this week, asking all non-Hindu staffers to either opt for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) or look for other jobs in other government sectors.

The temple trust seeks to remove all non-Hindu workers as a part of the reforms being introduced after the laddoo row and the subsequent political slugfest.

All about Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams

The newly formed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, led by BR Naidu, has set out a bold plan for managing the world’s most prosperous and most respected temple.

The Tirumala temple collects over Rs 1,400 crore each year and has assets worth Rs 3 lakh crore. The Lord Balaji temple is one of India's most respected and richest temples. It attracts nearly 100,000 visitors every day.

Its wealth includes 11,225 kilograms of gold, land covering more than 7,600 acres, and significant bank deposits. These resources and the temple’s spiritual importance influence the TTD Board, making it one of the most sought-after positions in Andhra Pradesh.

The chairman of the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) has an influential and respected position. This role involves overseeing ample resources and connecting with important political leaders, business people, and spiritual authorities. Notable individuals like liquor baron D.K. Adikesavulu Naidu, infrastructure leader T. Subbarami Reddy, and educationist Chadalavada Krishnamurthy have held this title. Each appointment shows how highly sought after this position is, often seen as a link to divine and earthly power.

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh chooses the chairman and board members of the TTD, but politics often affect these choices. In 2004, then-Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy could not appoint his relative, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, due to pressure from Congress leaders. Instead, he selected T. Subbarami Reddy. Similarly, during YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's government, some appointments, such as that of his uncle YV Subba Reddy, faced criticism over concerns about their Christian faith. These issues show how closely politics and religion are linked in temple management.

The TTD Board has faced many controversies. There are accusations of embezzlement, misuse of VIP darshan quotas, and poor preservation of historical ornaments donated by Vijayanagara Emperor Krishnadevaraya. Critics have raised concerns about proselytisation and irregular administrative practices. These ongoing issues have led to calls for more transparency and accountability, especially from devotees and activists.

Under the new Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, officials are working to make the temple more welcoming for devotees. They aim to improve the spiritual experience while solving logistical challenges for the millions of pilgrims who visit Tirumala. The administration also focuses on using technology and implementing reforms to streamline operations.

Despite some challenges, the newly formed board has started several reforms to improve efficiency. BR Naidu focuses on using artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to reduce long waiting times for darshan, which can last up to 20 hours. The board has suggested transferring non-Hindu employees to different departments or offering them voluntary retirement to better match staff with the temple’s values. They are also making financial reforms, like moving deposits from private to nationalised banks, to enhance security and accountability. To improve the quality of laddoo prasadam, the board has invited tenders for better-quality ghee.

The TTD Board was established in 1932 under the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions & Endowments Act. Its responsibilities have increased over time; it manages many temples, promotes Hindu dharma, and oversees education and cultural programs. The board has 24 members from different political, industrial, and judicial backgrounds, including Suchitra Ella, co-founder of Bharat Biotech, and former Union minister Panabaka Lakshmi. However, some critics worry that the involvement of politically connected individuals could affect the board's independence and its focus on service.

The temple is very wealthy and has great spiritual importance, making its management a careful balancing act. Activists and former officials, like IYR Krishna Rao, emphasise the need for dharma and public service over political and personal interests. They argue that board members must be committed to maintaining the temple's sacredness.

The new board and Chandrababu Naidu's government's efforts to focus on devotees signal a strong commitment to reform. BR Naidu’s leadership offers a chance to fix past issues and restore trust in managing one of the world's most sacred sites.