TIRUMALA: The world famous Venkateswara temple has earned a record income of Rs 4.23 crore through Hundi offerings on the New Year Day. The TTD netted Rs 3.8 crore only through Hundi offerings last year.
The pilgrim rush was average this year. It is expected to increase in the coming days. About 55,000 devotees had darshan till Sunday evening. TTD chairman K Bapiraju and executive officer LV Subramanyam jointly offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara for world peace and prosperity of people on the occasion of New Year.
Interacting with mediapersons, Bapiraju said Sarva Darshan commenced at 2:35 am. The timings of Tiruppavai and other rituals were changed to enable more devotees to have darshan of the Lord. The TTD implemented Maha Laghu Darshan to meet the pilgrim rush. MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao said Maha Laghu Darshan implemented by the TTD on the New Year Day disappointed many devotees who came from far off places. Supreme Court judge Dalveer Bhandari, MP Chinta Mohan, minister Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, TTD Trust Board member C Muthyam Reddy, JEOs KS Srinivasa Raju, P Venkatrami Reddy, CVSO MK Singh, chief engineer Chandrasekhar Reddy and others also worshipped the Lord on the occasion.