TIRUPATI: Yet again, Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Chinna Jeeyar swamy dragged the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the rituals at Lord Venkateswara temple into controversy on Friday.
The pontiff who had set on a padayatra from Tirupati to Tirumala had stopped his trek midway and got into a car to reach Tirumala, reportedly due to a knee problem.
Chinna Jeeyar, who was in the temple town to participate in Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra Parayanam on the occasion of Bheeshma Ekadasi, alleged that there were serious lapses in rituals and the administration of Srivari temple which he had brought to the notice of the TTD in 2003 itself.
“I have shown 110 mistakes and had even held discussions with TTD officials to give them some suggestions.
Despite an assurance from officials, they were never implemented,” he said.
Jeeyar swamy who earlier stated that the temple town has been turned into a pub by the TTD, was critical of devasthanam for thinking on commercial lines and providing luxurious facilities to visiting VIPs like in a resort.
“Rather, they should ensure spiritual atmosphere and ensure everything is done as per the sastras and age old traditions.
It is incorrect to conduct rituals like Ekanta Seva beyond midnight as the Lord is not getting rest for more than two hours,” he said.
TTD chairman K Bapiraju, who participated in the programme, said if there were any mistakes or issues, he will discuss them in the TTD board meeting and do the needful.
The programme commenced behind schedule and Chinna Jeeyar set-out on his padayatra to Tirumala from Alipiri in the evening.
But he ended his trek mid-way at the Seventh Mile and from there he went to Tirumala in car.
Reasons for the change were not revealed.
Meanwhile Agama pundits and Vaikhanasa Pandita Mandali condemned Chinna Jeeyar’s comments and said he was no way related to the rituals and customs of Lord Venkateswara temple and it was not within his right to make such comments.
They said everything at Tirumala temple was going as per the traditions introduced by Rishi Vakhanasa.