Latest news with #Peetham
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
TTD Chairman participates in Varahi Navaratri fete at Sri Shakti Peetham
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) Trust Board Chairman B.R. Naidu prayed at the famed Sri Shakti Peetham situated at Rayalacheruvu, near Tirupati, and took part in the Varahi Navaratri festivities on Sunday. The Peetham is known for the revered shrine of Shvetha Varahi Ammavari shrine, which attracts the devout from across the country. Mr. Naidu also offered prayers to the unique deities of Sri Marakata Shakti Kali Devi and Sri Marakata Siddeshwara Swamy at the Peetham. Calling on the Peetham's founder Sri Siddeswarananda Bharathi Mahaswami and the monk Sri Ramyananda Bharathi Swamini at the Peetham premises later, he enquired about the ongoing activities of Sri Shakti Peetham , which has, of late, become a major attraction for the devotees visiting Tirupati. The TTD Chairman assured to extend all support on behalf of the Devasthanams management to the Sri Sakthi Peetham as part of propagating the Hindu Sanatana Dharma. TTD's board member M. Shantaram, Chief Public Relations Officer T. Ravi and the Peetham's representative Srikanth were present.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Development of 29 parks will protect land worth ₹150 crore in Nellore, says MLA
MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy on Thursday said that lands worth ₹150 crore were protected with the development of 29 parks in Nellore Rural constituency under 'Chandranna Parkula Baata' programme. The MLA was speaking during the foundation stone laying event for parks in divisions 21, 22 and 23 in the city on Thursday (June 19). He said, 'The government can only develop the parks, but the responsibility of maintaining the parks lies in the hands of the people. With the blessings of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the cooperation of the people, Nellore Rural constituency is witnessing unprecedented development.' Meanwhile, the revenue department on Thursday (June 19) reclaimed two-acre plot of land belonging to Ahobilam Peetham in Survey No. 295 in Nellore Rural constituency worth ₹15 crore, which was allegedly encroached by a former Member of Parliament. The ex-MP has reportedly acquired this land using his power, influence and financial strength. The Peetham members fought for this land many times but failed. They had brought it to the notice of the district authorities. However, no action was taken by the previous government. After the Coalition government came to power, the representatives of the Peetham met Nellore Rural MLA and conveyed their problem. He immediately directed the Revenue officials, who collected the land records, and declared that the two-acre plot belonged to Ahobilam Peetham.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
From Vedic scholar to Uttaradhikari of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
Visakhapatnam: Duddu Satya Venkata Surya Subrahmanya Ganesha Sharma Dravid (26), a native of Annavaram, has been announced as the successor (Uttaradhikari/junior pontiff) to the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham in Tamil Nadu. He will ultimately become the next Peetadhipathi (head). The current head of the Peetham, Jagadguru Vijayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya, will initiate Ganesha into Sanyasa Deeksha (renunciation) on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on April 30, and will anoint him as the 71st Acharya. Ganesha Sharma was born to Duddu Dhanvantari and Alivelu Mangadevi, a couple from Annavaram, where his father works as a priest at the Annavaram Devasthanam. His mother is a homemaker. He began his primary education under his father's guidance and cultivated a refined way of life. From the age of six, he studied the Rigveda under Ratnakara Bhattu at Dwaraka Tirumala temple, achieving great proficiency. Later, he served as a scholar at the Gnana Saraswati temple in Basara, Telangana. Ganesha, a Rigvedic scholar (Salakshana Ghanapati) has also completed Yajurveda, Samaveda, Shadangas, Dashopanishat and has been pursuing Shastric studies. On one of his visits to Basara, Vijayendra Saraswati noticed him and brought him to the Peetham. There, under the direct guidance of the Swamiji, he was trained in logic (tarka), Mimamsa and Vedas. Following the mahāsamadhi of the 69th head of the Peetham, Jayendra Saraswathi, on Jan 28, 2018, Vijayendra Saraswati — the then-successor — assumed the role as the 70th head of the Peetham. The induction of Ganesha into Sanyasa Deeksha coincides with the 2534th Jayanti Mahotsavam (May 2) of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, who established Kanchi Peetham in 482 BCE. According to the Peetham, Ganesh has enjoyed the blessings of Shankaracharya Swamigal since his initiation into Vedic studies in 2006. After receiving Sanyasa Deeksha, Ganesha is also set to participate alongside Vijayendra Saraswati in the Adi Shankara Jayanti celebrations. His appointment has been met with great joy among local scholars, priests, villagers of Annavaram and the Basara temple staff. Speaking to STOI, Boosala Srinivasa Rao, a TDP leader from Annavaram and a well‐known associate of Ganesh's family, said it is a proud moment for Annavaram to see Ganesha becoming the Uttaradhikari of the renowned Kanchi Peetham. Mamidala Lokesh, another local, echoed Srinivasa Rao's sentiment and mentioned that his family travelled to Kanchi to perform various rituals before the main event on April 30. "There was a joyful atmosphere at the Annavaram Devasthanam, with the child of one of the priests assuming an important position at the Kanchi Peetham," Lokesh added. According to priests at Annavaram temple, Sanyasa Deeksha is a sacred initiation into monastic life that symbolises the renunciation of worldly ties. Once it is done, Ganesha participates in daily rituals, pujas and temple festivals, fulfilling religious duties at the Peetham and its associated institutions. In terms of leadership and succession, the Uttaradhikari shadows the current Acharya, Vijayendra Saraswati, learning from him to understand the spiritual, administrative, and philosophical dimensions of the Peetham's functioning. This process prepares Ganesha for a gradual transition into full leadership, ultimately becoming the next Shankaracharya. The role also demands active public engagement through travel for 'dharma pracharam', as the Uttaradhikari visits temples and communities across India and abroad to disseminate spiritual teachings. In a social media post, Prof S Venugopalan said being a Shankaracharya at the Kanchi Matham is not a showy position, but one that carries tremendous responsibilities. "He must perform the trikala puja — lasting for six to seven hours every day — while also managing the administration of the organisation. Furthermore, he is required to offer a patient ear to all devotees and provide dharmik solutions," he noted. Ganesha Sharma, who moved to Kanchi a few years ago to study Sanskrit and sastras under the pundits of Srimatham, now speaks Tamil fluently. "He is well-versed in the daily pujas dedicated to Lord Chandramouliswara Swamy as performed by the Acharya Swamigal, and the transition is expected to be very smooth in his case," added Venugopalan.
Hans India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TTD cracks down on unauthorised constructions of Visakha Sarada Peetham
Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has initiated firm action against Visakha Sri Sarada Peetham for unauthorised constructions that violated sanctioned building norms in the sacred hill town of Tirumala. The Peetham has been issued a final 15-day eviction notice to vacate its newly built premises near Gogarbham Dam. The controversy dates back to 2005, when TTD leased approximately 5,000 square feet of land to the Peetham for pilgrim accommodation. However, over time, the institution expanded its operations, occupying an additional 4,817 square feet, a move that became the crux of the dispute. Although this expansion was regularised in 2020 by the TTD trust board under the YSRCP government, a subsequent inspection by the Engineering Department revealed serious deviations from the approved building plans. Notably, the building constructed in 2007 exceeded the sanctioned design by over 1,100 square meters. Similar violations were observed in the newer structures. The Peetham attributed these discrepancies to the challenging terrain and spiritual considerations, including vastu compliance. It acknowledged the deviations and offered to pay a penalty of Rs 25.99 lakh. In December 2023, the then TTD trust board passed Resolution No 443 to regularise 1,851.06 square meters of unauthorised construction and forwarded the proposal to the state government for approval. However, the move sparked protests from Hindu groups, who staged demonstrations outside the Peetham, objecting to the perceived encroachment on sacred land. The matter was referred to the state government for a final decision. Following the 2024 Assembly elections, the newly formed NDA coalition government, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, rejected the regularisation proposal. The government instructed TTD to strictly enforce construction norms and resolve the matter. In response, TTD formed a committee which identified several violations, including inadequate setbacks and the encroachment of a nearby canal during the Peetham's expansion. Acting on the committee's findings and in accordance with trust board directives, TTD's Estate Department issued show-cause notices to Peetham. While the Peetham challenged these notices in court, the judiciary upheld TTD's regulatory authority. The court observed that the Peetham had clearly breached established construction norms and warned that condoning such violations could set a dangerous precedent for other religious institutions. It further noted that continued non-compliance could result in license cancellations or even criminal proceedings. TTD had already halted the Peetham's unauthorised construction activities in accordance with earlier court orders. With the judiciary reaffirming its stance, TTD has now issued a final eviction notice, requiring the Peetham to vacate the premises within 15 days.
