Tirumala to be developed as global model of spirituality: Babu

Metro India News | AMARAVATI : Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said Tirumala would be developed as a global model of spirituality, with the focus on enhancing the pilgrim experience while integrating spirituality, environmental conservation, service and modern technology. Naidu said Tirumala has 89.5 per cent green cover and stressed the need to protect and further strengthen its ecological environment. He was speaking after inaugurating several development initiatives in Tirumala on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the Pilgrims’ Experience Centre at the Vaikuntam Queue Complex-I, the modernized SV Museum and flagged off 32 electric buses provided by Reliance Foundation and Bharat Biotech for pilgrims. The Pilgrims’ Experience Centre enables devotees to virtually experience the daily rituals and pujas performed for Lord Venkateswara and view various locations in Tirumala through 3D technology. Naidu experienced the virtual darshan facility using six DVR-based virtual reality systems.

He also reopened the renovated SV Museum, redesigned by TTD to present the history and spiritual significance of Tirumala, mythological narratives and the divine wedding of Lord Venkateswara in an accessible format. The museum was developed by TCS Trust at a cost of Rs.104 crore. The exhibits include replicas of ornaments offered to Lord Venkateswara by rulers including Sri Krishnadevaraya, historical artefacts from different periods and 3D models of crowns and ornaments used to adorn the deity.

The CM further viewed an AI-generated presentation on the divine wedding on a panoramic screen and took interest in musical instruments used by musicians in earlier times. Later, he flagged off the 32 electric buses and travelled in one from Narayana Giri Circle to the SV Museum along with Reliance E-Mobility CEO Nitin Seth, Bharat Biotech Managing Director Suchitra Ella, Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu and TTD members.

He said that TTD would provide Rs.2 lakh insurance coverage to every pilgrim visiting Tirumala through an Aadhaar-based online facility in association with LIC. In the event of a pilgrim’s death in Tirumala, the scheme would provide Rs.2 lakh financial assistance.

He also said the government was planning to construct 5,000 Sri Venkateswara temples across the State through the Srivani Trust. Proposals to construct temples in Mauritius and New Zealand were also under examination, he said. An action plan was being prepared to utilize the services of Srivari Sevaks in education and healthcare, the Chief Minister added.