- Wednesday, October 02, 2024
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams rules mandate that non-Hindus have to declare their faith in the deity before visiting Sri Venkateswara temple
By: Shajil Kumar
ANDHRA PRADESH deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan’s daughter on Wednesday gave a declaration at Tirumala temple that she has faith in Lord Venkateswara.
The Deputy CM’s youngest daughter Palina Anjani Konidela is reportedly a non-Hindu and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati – rules mandate that non-Hindus have to declare their faith in the deity before making a visit to the temple.
“Palina Anjani Konidela gave the declaration for Srivari (deity) visit in Tirumala. She signed the documents provided by TTD staff. As Palina Anjani is a minor, her father Pawan Kalyan also endorsed the documents,” said a Janasena press release.
Currently, Kalyan is on a three-day visit to the temple as part of his 11-day penance to atone for the alleged sins committed by the previous YSRCP regime at Tirumala.
The declaration assumes significance as BJP leaders and several Hindu outfits had demanded that YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, a Christian, has to issue a similar declaration before his recent cancelled visit to the temple.
Kalyan on Wednesday visited Tirumala temple accompanied by his daughters. On Tuesday, he took the Alipiri Srivari Padala steps route to reach the temple.
During his visit, the Deputy Chief Minister carried ‘Varahi Declaration’ with him to the deity, which he will proclaim in a meeting in Tirupati on Thursday.
“This is not just about one prasad issue (laddu adulteration). Maybe it came out. Maybe this was a triggering point to initiate this. Prayaschitta Deeksha (penance) is (the) commitment to take forward Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) protection. (It) is very essential. That is the order of the day,” Kalyan told reporters while leaving for Tirumala on Tuesday.
The actor-politician claimed that temple desecrations occurred continuously in the past five years under the previous YSRCP regime.
Kalyan will return from Tirumala on Thursday evening to Vijayawada.
