TTD Trust Member Rejects DK Shivakumar Proposal On Tirupati Aarti

On Monday, a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust member rejected a proposal announced in Bengaluru on Sunday by Karnataka leader D K Shivakumar to allow the state's lawmakers and visiting dignitaries to participate in the first daily aarti at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.

TTD trust member G Bhanuprakash Reddy strongly criticized the proposal, urging Shivakumar not to politicize the temple rituals. He stated that the privilege of attending the first daily aarti, known as the Tirumala Nitya Aarathi, historically belongs to the Maharaja of Mysore and is not meant for the Karnataka cabinet, ministers, or MLAs.

In a video statement, Reddy asked Shivakumar to withdraw his words, calling the temple a spiritual place rather than a political arena. Reddy warned that if Karnataka's demand were accepted, other neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala would make similar demands. He announced plans to raise the issue at a TTD board meeting on Tuesday to pass a formal resolution opposing the proposal.

The controversy began on Sunday when Shivakumar announced in Bengaluru that the first aarti performed daily at Tirupati belongs to Karnataka. He stated that, until now, only the chief minister had that privilege, which was witnessed daily by a special officer representing the Karnataka government in Tirupati.

Shivakumar explained that he had instructed officials to issue an order extending this privilege to any visiting dignitary representing the Karnataka government, including ministers, MLAs, senior officials, and judges. He noted that many MLAs had previously returned from Tirupati without getting a darshan, and this change would allow those serving the state to pray before the deity.

Shivakumar also recalled historical links to the temple, mentioning a seven-acre plot granted during the era of the maharajas. He noted that former Chief Minister S M Krishna had previously established a Karnataka trust at Tirupati with plans to build a grand structure, though the work was not completed before their government's term ended.