Andhra Pradesh

PM Modi to visit Tirupati on June 9 to offer prayers

President of BJP's state unit Kanna Laxminarayana on Saturday said Modi would reach Renigunta Airport at Tirupati at 4 pm and reach Tirumala by road.

Written by : TNM Staff

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh on June 9 and offer prayers at Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala.

President of BJP's state unit Kanna Laxminarayana on Saturday said Modi would reach Renigunta Airport at Tirupati at 4 pm and reach Tirumala by road.

He said the BJP's state unit would accord a warm welcome to Modi on his first visit to Andhra Pradesh after leading the party's massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections.  

After the recent elections, several politicians have been visiting the Sri Venkateswara temple  atop Tirumala, to pay obeisance to the presiding deity. 

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was one of the first leaders  to do so, as he, along with his family members offered prayers at Tirumala on May 27. 

KCR, his wife Shobha Rao and other family members worshipped and participated in various rituals conducted by temple priests, after officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the hill shrine, welcomed the Telangana Chief Minister.

A day ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy offered prayers at Tirumala as well. Clad in traditional dress and sporting a 'thirunamam' on his forehead, the YSRCP chief prayed in the temple and took blessings from the priests.

Jagan was accompanied by party leaders Vijay Sai Reddy, R K Roja, B. Karunakar Reddy, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and others.

Believed to have been constructed over a period starting 300 AD, the temple attracts 50,000 to one lakh pilgrims every day. The number on special occasions like the annual Brahmotsavam and festivals goes up to 4-5 lakh.

During 2019-20, the TTD expects an overall revenue of about Rs 3,116 crore including Rs 1,231 crore from offerings and Rs 846 crore from interest on deposits in nationalized and private banks. According to sources, the temple has over Rs 12,000 crore in fixed deposits in various banks.

It is also believed to be earning about 100 kg of gold as annual interest on gold deposits in the banks, as it has pure gold reserves of 9,000 kg.

IANS inputs

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