Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh:
From their mouths to God's ears. But just in case there's a bit of a communication gap, both Chandrababu Naidu and Chiranjeevi visited the Tirumala temple to assert their objection to the way the world's richest temple is being managed.
The actor went first. It took Chiranjeevi, who is the MLA from Tirupati, seven hours to trek up the Tirumala Hills. He looked around the facilities, asked pilgrims what problems they faced and asserted that the trust that manages the temple needs to more accountable.
A fortnight later, came Chandrababu Naidu, who beat Chiranjeevi by taking three hours less to make it up the 3600 steps to the temple. Upon his arrival, the Chief of the Telugu Desam Party declared, "When a precious temple is not maintained properly by the Trust or the government, not only people like me but even the people should protest."
The temple has faced a series of controversies recently, including allegations that some officials were making money on tickets for darshan and special pujas. The Trust's move to gold plate the entire temple has also run into controversy with several eminent devotees writing to the state Governor urging him to interfere to stop it. They say ancient scriptures are inscribed on the walls of the temple which will be lost if the gold plating is done.
Traditionally, the temple is meant to be off-limits for politics. Campaigning is not allowed on the Tirumala Hills, for example. But with a new chairman and new members to be appointed by the end of August, the stakes are obviously high. The Trust has an annual budget of around 1200 crore rupees.
"Democratically anyone can protest. But people will give verdict on who they think is correct," said Chief Minister K Rosaiah, acknowledging that party lines are forming around the temple.
The actor went first. It took Chiranjeevi, who is the MLA from Tirupati, seven hours to trek up the Tirumala Hills. He looked around the facilities, asked pilgrims what problems they faced and asserted that the trust that manages the temple needs to more accountable.
A fortnight later, came Chandrababu Naidu, who beat Chiranjeevi by taking three hours less to make it up the 3600 steps to the temple. Upon his arrival, the Chief of the Telugu Desam Party declared, "When a precious temple is not maintained properly by the Trust or the government, not only people like me but even the people should protest."
The temple has faced a series of controversies recently, including allegations that some officials were making money on tickets for darshan and special pujas. The Trust's move to gold plate the entire temple has also run into controversy with several eminent devotees writing to the state Governor urging him to interfere to stop it. They say ancient scriptures are inscribed on the walls of the temple which will be lost if the gold plating is done.
Traditionally, the temple is meant to be off-limits for politics. Campaigning is not allowed on the Tirumala Hills, for example. But with a new chairman and new members to be appointed by the end of August, the stakes are obviously high. The Trust has an annual budget of around 1200 crore rupees.
"Democratically anyone can protest. But people will give verdict on who they think is correct," said Chief Minister K Rosaiah, acknowledging that party lines are forming around the temple.
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