Latest news with #EndowmentsDepartment
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Notices served to exhibition management of ‘Ram Mandir'
The III Town Police have issued notices to the management of a commercial exhibition, which features a replica of the 'Ayodhya Ram Mandir' , following objections from the authorities of the Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam in Bhadrachalam. The complaint pertains to the alleged unauthorised use of the temple's name. The exhibition, which opened a few months ago, has been drawing large crowds of devotees. The management has been collecting an entry ticket of ₹50 per person. Controversy arose after the organisers allegedly announced plans to conduct Sree Seetha Rama Kalyanam at the end of this month, reportedly charging high ticket prices for the event. They also announced that priests from Bhadrachalam would be participating in the ritual. Assistant Commissioner of Police (East Sub-Division) K. Lakshmana Murthy confirmed that the Bhadrachalam temple authorities had raised their objection in an email to the Endowments Department. Acting on this, the local endowments officials lodged a formal complaint with the police. 'We have served initial notices to the exhibition organisers. Further action will be taken after a thorough inquiry,' said ACP Lakshmana Murthy.
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
TTD board approves cybersecurity lab to protect devotees from fraud
Agency: PTI Tirupati, Jul 22 (PTI) The TTD trust board, headed by chairman B R Naidu, on Tuesday approved the establishment of a cybersecurity lab to protect devotees from online fraud and sanctioned an allowance for unemployed vedic reciters, among other decisions. The board sanctioned a grant of Rs 2.16 crore to be disbursed through the Endowments Department as unemployment allowance to vedic scholars. Approval has been given to set up a cyber security lab to prevent Srivari devotees from falling prey to cyber fraud. As part of vedic protection, Rs 2.16 crore from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams funds has been granted to the Endowments Department for distribution among unemployed vedic reciters, said an official release. Based on directions from the Endowments Department, the board also decided to classify Srivari temples and bhajan mandirs built in SC, ST, and BC areas under the SRIVANI Trust into three categories. These will receive grants of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 15 lakh, and Rs 20 lakh respectively, the release added. The board also resolved to conduct a feasibility study on setting up fully equipped rest centres (lounges) across Tirumala for the convenience of devotees. It further approved the formation of a sub-committee to act on the recommendations of an expert panel regarding the construction of Srivari temples overseas to spread the deity's glory. This initiative follows directions from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to establish such temples in various countries. Additionally, the board approved the construction of a new administrative building in Tirumala to bring all departments under one roof and streamline operations. PTI STH SSK view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 21:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Rangam 2025 at Ujjaini Mahakali: Oracle predicts abundant rains for Telangana
The traditional Rangam or soothsayer ritual, one of the most awaited events during the Bonalu festival, was held with fervent devotion at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad on Monday (July 14, 2025). This year's oracle voice struck a deeply stirring and cautionary tone. Beginning with blessings and praise for the people's devotion, the possessed woman conveyed the goddess's happiness over the offerings made in her honour. Yet, her words soon turned to warning. The tradition believed to embody direct communication between the goddess Mahakali and her devotees, a woman — known as Vishwamatta or Shakti — in divine trance made predictions and emotional appeals for the year ahead. 'To all my people, to all my children, I am very happy. I have been blessed with wealth for a long time but every year, you play games with me. I have been saying this for seven years, you do not listen,' the oracle declared. The temple priest, representing the voice of the devotees, sought forgiveness and asked for guidance. The exchange that followed was emotionally charged, as the goddess demanded a greater degree of devotion and sacrifice, symbolised through the repeated phrase, 'Show me blood.' While acknowledging that pujas and offerings had been conducted well, the oracle stressed that it was not enough. 'I carried you in my womb, I protected you. but my patience is wearing thin,' she said. Among the moments of the ceremony was a prophecy foretelling a possible pandemic and the danger of fires in the near future. 'In the coming days, there will be a pandemic. You should be careful. Follow the rules. There will also be fire danger. I am warning you now,' she said. In response to the priest's enquiry about rainfall and harvests, traditionally foretold during the Rangam, the oracle offered some optimism. 'Yes, this year the rains will be good. The crops will be good. There will be sweets and festivals,' she said, before returning to a more somber tone. 'This year, it is my turn to stand. Show me blood. If you do not, I will not stay quiet' she warned. The ritual concluded with the priest bowing in prayer, seeking peace and reassurance. 'Don't show me blood. Bless me. Next year, everything will be fine. With your blessings, we will celebrate this festival.' Shortly after the Rangam, Telangana's Minister for BC Welfare and Civil Supplies, Ponnam Prabhakar, addressed the media and reiterated the State government's commitment to the Bonalu tradition. Referring to the prophecy of good rains and harvests, he said, 'It is a good sign for farmers and for people across the State. For everyone to live in happiness, the goddess has given her blessings.' He added that all rituals prescribed by shastra would be performed under official supervision through the Endowments Department. 'As instructed by the goddess through the prophecy, the State will respond with full responsibility,' he said.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
TTD-Endowments Department meeting resolves key issues
TIRUMALA: The joint meeting of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Endowments Department held at Tirumala on Saturday discussed various long-pending issues and took several key decisions. The meeting was chaired by Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy along with TTD Chairman BR Naidu, Executive Officer J Syamala Rao and Endowments Secretary Vinay Chand. Several issues pending between the Endowments Department and TTD were reviewed at length. Speaking after the meeting, Ramanarayana Reddy said that the discussions were fruitful and that solutions had been found to several issues. Some of the major decisions included a Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance to 590 unemployed Vedic pandits and the cooperation of TTD for laying a second road to Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada. The board meeting also discussed other major issues such as filling 192 posts in TTD-run colleges and the release of Rs 147 crore for the renovation of various temples. The presence of non-Hindus in TTD institutions and recent statements by Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay that 1,000 employees belonging to other religions were working in TTD institutions across the country also came up for discussion. Further, discussions were held on the release of Rs 147 crore funds from TTD for temples under reconstruction. The meeting deliberated on allocating a percentage of the income of temples to the Endowments Department as per Endowment Act-9 and the proposal to allocate nine percent of the Common Good Fund to the department. With regard to the announcement of new trust boards to temples, the Minister said that the exercise would be completed by the end of August. 'All the 1,010 temples will soon get new Trust Boards. In fact, the government is ready to announce the new committees to all the said temples. But because of some political and legal hurdles, the government is waiting for some time,' he said. 'Even today, some of the Trust Boards appointed by the previous government are functioning. Some of the Chairmans are still continuing while their Trust Board members submitted resignations. As there is possibility of those still continuing in their posts approaching court, the government is waiting to announce the new committees to temples once the tenure of existing boards expires so as to avoid legal hurdles,' Anam said.
Hans India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Endowments Dept to get 9% of TTD's Common Good Fund
Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Endowments Department have agreed to increase the contribution from the Common Good Fund (CGF) to the Endowments Department from the existing five per cent to nine per cent towards strengthening temple infrastructure and increasing priest welfare across the State. This decision was taken during a high-level meeting held at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala on Saturday. The meeting was convened following the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who wanted certain issues that had come to the fore in recent times to be resolved. Senior officials discussed at length the facilities that need to be improved across temples in the state, including Tirumala, and addressed pending matters between the Endowments department and the TTD. The meeting was attended by Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, TTD Chairman BR Naidu, TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao, Endowments Secretary V Vinay Chand, TTD Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, JEO V Veerabrahmam, and other officials from TTD and the Endowments Department. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister Anam stated that under the Endowments Act, there were provisions requiring the TTD to contribute up to nine per cent of its funds to the Common Good Fund. Until now, this contribution has been only five per cent. The board has decided to increase it in line with the provision. Anam explained that the state government, in keeping with its manifesto promise, wanted to provide financial support to unemployed priests across the State. As many as 590 unemployed Vedic scholars had been identified, and the government had decided to provide them with a monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000, he said. On temple renovation, he said that Rs 147 crore had previously been sanctioned from the Srivani Trust funds for the reconstruction of temples across the state. However, that amount has remained unused. An additional Rs 11 crore was due to be released from the same trust. The board and officials discussed these pending amounts and agreed to take appropriate decisions soon.
