PNS | Vijayawada
In a resolute commitment to elevating the experience of common devotees, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, the newly appointed Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, has outlined a comprehensive vision to extend the radiance of Lord Venkateswara’s worship across the world through a diverse array of Dharmic initiatives.
Taking the solemn oath within the hallowed premises of Srivari temple, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, for entrusting him with the esteemed responsibility of leading the TTD Board.
Addressing media representatives at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala, he stated, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Lord Venkateswara, who has bestowed upon me the privilege of chairing the renowned Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams not once, but twice. This appointment is a testimony to the faith placed in me by the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy during his tenure as Chief Minister and now by his successor, CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. It is a divine calling to serve in this capacity, having been a special invitee to the previous board for four years. I humbly acknowledge the benevolent blessings of the Almighty that have sanctified my service to His devoted followers.”
Reflecting on his prior term as TTD Board Chairman from 2006 to 2008, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy recounted a series of momentous Dharmic initiatives that he championed. These included the celebrated Kalyanamastu program, facilitating free mass marriages, the Dalita Govindam project, Srinivasa Kalyanams, and training programs for marginalized communities such as SC, ST, BC, and fishermen to become priests.
He also underscored his role in securing enhanced salaries for temple priests, the introduction of monthly Pournami Garuda Seva, the Dharma Rathams procession, Chaturyuga Bandham, the installation of a towering 108-foot statue of Tallapaka Annamacharya to commemorate the Saint Poet’s 600th birth anniversary, the initiation of the Shravanam Project, the establishment of Venkateswara Vedic University, and the placement of bronze statues honoring TTD Sadhusubrahmanya Shastry, Rallapalli Ananta Krishnamacharyulu, and Veturi Prabhakara Shastry. Notably, he highlighted the successful implementation of the Venkateswara Bhakti Channel and the altruistic distribution of free Annaprasadam at various locations.
Bhumana Karunakar Reddy expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from the administration and a dedicated workforce, which contributed to the successful execution of these pilgrim-centric endeavors in recent years. He also disclosed that CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has allocated 435 acres of land for housing TTD employees, a testament to the government’s prioritization of their welfare.
Among those present at the event were Chandragiri legislator Bhaskar Reddy, TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy, Joint Executive Officers Sada Bhargavi and Veerabrahmam, along with other dignitaries.
