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Jagan's temple visit raises hackles

Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's visit to Lord Tirupati Venkateswara temple has grown in to a controversy following the allegations of rival TDP and Congress leaders. The leaders accused the MP of not giving a mandatory declaration to the authorities despite being a non-Hindu.

Senior TDP leader Dadi Veerabhadra Rao contended that Jagan, being a Christian, should have given the mandatory declaration during his visit on Wednesday to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which manages the affairs of the shrine, that he had faith and respect for the Lord.

'Jagan has hurt the sentiments of devotees by not giving such a declaration,' Rao alleged. He also took exception to a number of followers accompanying Jagan at the highly-sacred temple.

Dismissing the allegations, YSR Congress spokesperson Ambati Rambabu said that Jagan had visited the holy shrine earlier as well and that the allegations are aimed at gaining political mileage in the bye-elections scheduled to be held next month.

When questioned about Jagan's supporters raising slogans like 'Jai Jagan' at the temple premises, which is prohibited, Rambabu claimed the slogan was in fact raised by a devotee standing in queue and was not part of the Kadapa MP's group.

Meanwhile, LV Subrahmanyam, Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) told PTI that those accompanying Jagan were told about the declaration prior to the darshan but they refused.

'Two explanations they (Jagan's supporters) gave; one is that this is not his first visit but the second one, second was that his father (late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy) was presenting 'vasthrams' to the Lord. How can his son not be allowed to enter for darshan. I am not empowered to stop someone from darshan.'  

He however said that he would enquire about the number of people who were allowed to enter with him.


TEMPLE OF BLOOM

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is the most visited place of worship in the world. The temple is the second richest pilgrimage center of any faith, worth more than Rs 50,000 crore. The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000  pilgrims daily. On special occasions and festivals, like the annual
Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000.
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