TTD has witnessed comprehensive spiritual rejuvenation: Endowments Minister

Published 22 June 2026 · politics

Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy on Monday said Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had witnessed a comprehensive spiritual rejuvenation over the past two years

Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy on Monday said Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had witnessed a comprehensive spiritual rejuvenation over the past two years under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, resulting in enhanced pilgrim services, administrative transparency and renewed public confidence. Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, the Minister said the coalition government had initiated wide-ranging reforms in TTD aimed at protecting Sanatana Dharma, strengthening temple administration and leveraging technology to improve the pilgrim experience. Ramanarayana Reddy said TTD had launched a programme to construct 5,000 temples across the State, with special emphasis on Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and fishing communities to promote spiritual awareness at the grassroots level.

He noted that the salaries of priests, attendants, kitchen workers and prasadam distribution staff in TTD-run temples had been increased substantially, while financial assistance was being extended to unemployed Vedic scholars. As part of heritage conservation efforts, TTD had created a dedicated wing to preserve ancient temple structures and historical assets and was undertaking restoration works in smaller temples across the State. The board was also pursuing its vision of establishing Lord Venkateswara temples in the capitals of all States in coordination with the respective governments. Highlighting technological interventions, the Minister said an Artificial Intelligence-based Integrated Command and Control Centre, launched in September 2025, was monitoring pilgrim movement, queue lines, traffic, security, sanitation and medical services through a single platform.

According to Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy, TTD recorded an all-time high footfall of 25.46 lakh devotees in May 2026, while the sale of 1.21 crore Tirupati laddus set a new record. A record 12.43 lakh devotees offered their hair at Tirumala during the same month. TTD currently serves nearly three lakh free meals daily and has established an advanced food analysis laboratory to ensure quality standards. The institution has also allocated ₹161.40 crore for the development of its educational institutions and increased health insurance coverage for employees from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh. At the same time, the Minister said TTD would not spend its funds on Sai Baba temples as Sai Baba did not find mention in Sanatana scriptures.