Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh – July 28, 2025: Former Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, has issued a heartfelt appeal to VIPs and high-level dignitaries visiting the sacred Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, urging them to restrict their pilgrimages to a maximum of once a year. His suggestion, made after offering prayers at the revered hill shrine with his family on Monday, stems from a deep concern for the convenience and accessibility of the temple for common devotees.
Naidu highlighted the inherent limitations of the temple’s space and the time available for darshan (sacred viewing) of Lord Venkateswara, despite the tireless and commendable arrangements made by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple’s administrative body. He underscored that with the ever-increasing influx of pilgrims, frequent VIP visits can inadvertently lead to extended waiting times and heightened overcrowding, thereby posing significant challenges for ordinary devotees who travel from far and wide seeking the deity’s blessings.
“For the convenience of common devotees, former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has suggested that VIPs should visit Tirumala only once a year to have darshan of Sri Venkateswara,” an official release from the TTD stated. Naidu emphasized that such a practice, if adopted by public representatives and other dignitaries, would significantly ease the pressure on temple management and allow for greater access for the general public.
Beyond the frequency of visits, Naidu also reiterated his long-standing stance on the utilization of temple funds. He asserted that donations made by devotees should be primarily channeled towards religious and spiritual programs, as well as for the direct benefit and welfare of pilgrims, firmly advocating against any governmental intervention in the temple’s financial resources.
His appeal seeks to foster a spirit of inclusivity and selflessness among those in privileged positions, ensuring that the spiritual experience at one of the world’s most visited religious sites remains as accessible and unhindered as possible for all devotees.
