In a major decision to uphold the sanctity of Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu announced the cancellation of land allocations to Mumtaz Hotel, along with Devlok and MRKR Hotels on March 21. A total of 35.32 acres near the sacred Seven Hills had been allocated to these establishments, but the government has now revoked these permissions.
“No one should conduct business or desecrate the sanctity of the Seven Hills. We have fought relentlessly to protect Tirumala’s sacredness, and this decision is part of that effort,” said Naidu.
He further stated, “We have vowed to safeguard the assets of Venkateswara Swamy across the country and the world. Employees working in TTD must be Hindus. Just as Christian and Muslim religious institutions do not appoint outsiders, the same principle applies here.”
Additionally, Naidu revealed plans to construct Venkateswara Swamy temples in all state capitals across India. “We will write to all Chief Ministers regarding this. We will also establish Venkateswara Swamy temples in regions with a significant Hindu population worldwide,” he said.
Reflecting on a past assassination attempt, Naidu credited his survival to divine intervention. “When I launched the Pranadanam initiative, 24 claymore mines were detonated against me. If all of them had exploded, I wouldn’t have survived. It was only due to the grace of Venkateswara Swamy that I am alive today.”
Naidu concluded by reiterating his commitment to temple construction. “Many villages still lack Venkateswara Swamy temples. We will establish a trust to fund temple construction in such places. The collected funds will be utilised with complete transparency, and any encroachments on the deity’s assets will be reclaimed.”
“In the past, NTR introduced the ‘Annadanam’ (food donation) programme, and I initiated the ‘Pranadanam’ (life donation) scheme. As the next major initiative, we are launching temple construction. This trust will be exclusively for Madhava Seva (service to the divine). Every rupee donated will be meticulously spent, and if anyone encroaches upon the assets of Venkateswara Swamy, we will ensure they are reclaimed,” declared CM Naidu.
He further affirmed his commitment to preserving the sanctity of Tirumala, stating, “The Seven Hills belong to Venkateswara Swamy alone. There should be no desecration or commercial activities in this sacred space. Just as Christian and Muslim religious institutions do not appoint outsiders, only Hindus should serve in the TTD.”
“I Am Alive Only Because of Venkateswara Swamy’s Grace”
Reflecting on his deep faith, CM Naidu credited Lord Venkateswara for saving his life in a past assassination attempt.
“When I launched the Pranadanam initiative, 24 claymore mines were detonated against me. If all of them had exploded, survival would have been impossible. But Venkateswara Swamy granted me life. This is his divine power,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of Annadanam, noting that NTR had pioneered the programme in Tirumala and that, through public donations, its corpus fund has now reached Rs 2,200 crores. “Annadanam is a noble initiative, and it will continue forever,” he asserted.
The Mumtaj Resort project, developed as part of a joint venture between the Mustaq Group and The Oberoi Group, was sanctioned under the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2020- 025. The state government allocated 20 acres of land on a lease basis for the project, intending to boost high-end tourism in the region.
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