TTD socio-spiritual campaign aims to reach Dalits, tribals

Ashadh Shuddha Dwadashi

Tirupati (AP) : As it marks its platinum jubilee, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is intensifying its "socio-spiritual" campaign that aims at reaching out to Dalits, backward communities and tribals, bringing the message of Vedic religion to them.

The TTD, the managing body of the Lord Venkateswara hill shrine here, says the programme, which has three wings — ‘Dalita Govindam’, ‘Matsya Govindam’ and ‘Girijan Govindam’ — is part of a "social revolution" that will help eradicate social evils and strengthen the Hindu religious structure.

As part of Dalita Govindam, the idols of the Lord and other deities are taken to Dalit colonies and prayers and spiritual discourses are held there, TTD Board Chairman B Karunakar Reddy says.

Matsya Govindam involves training of fisher folk in Hindu rituals while Girijan Govindam is an endeavour to bring tribals to the Hindu religious mainstream through propagation of Vedic religion and improvement of infrastructure in their areas.

The "socio-spiritual programme" has been undertaken as the TTD has an important role in bringing "social change" and "Hindu awakening," Reddy says.

However, the Dalit project, which is seen by some as an attempt to woo the backward castes amid reports of conversion to Christianity in Tirupati and nearby areas, is in the midst of a controversy for several months now.

Dalit organisations have been alleging that the TTD is "insulting" and "discriminating" against the community by not placing the idols taken to Dalit areas inside the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple of Lord Balaji.

Source: www.ptinews.com

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