The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a trust which manages the Tirupati Temple, has offered to provide idols and religious products on subsidised rates to other temples, as part of its propagation of the Hindu Dharmic activities.
The offer includes idols, audio systems meant to broadcast devotional/spiritual content, temple umbrellas used for processions, sesha vastram (ritual fabrics).
“As part of its commitment to the promotion of Sanatana Hindu Dharma, the world-renowned TTD will provide mic sets (PA systems), umbrellas, sesha vastram, and stone and panchaloha (five-metal) idols to Hindu temples at subsidised prices,” the temple body said in a press release.
Under the scheme, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will extend a 90 per cent subsidy on public address (PA) systems, which otherwise cost Rs 25,000 per unit, to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) applicants.
To avail of the subsidy, temples will be required to submit recommendation letters from the local tahsildar, assistant commissioner, or the Endowments Department.
Stone idols of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru up to five feet in height will be supplied free of cost. Stone idols of other deities will be provided with a 75 per cent subsidy.
However, SC and ST beneficiaries from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will receive stone idols free of cost, the release said. Mutts, trusts and ashrams will be supplied idols of various deities at a 50 per cent subsidy.
TTD is the official custodian of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, is widely regarded as the richest Hindu shrine in the world.