Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Friday stated that only Hindus should be employed at the Tirumala Temple, emphasizing that if individuals from other religions are currently working there, they will be relocated to other places without hurting their sentiments.
“Only Hindus should be employed at the Tirumala Temple. If individuals from other religions are currently working there, they will be relocated to other places without hurting their sentiments,” Naidu said.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to construct Venkateswara Swamy temples in all state capitals across India. He further highlighted the importance of safeguarding the temple’s assets globally, adding that many devotees wish to see Venkateswara temples established in foreign countries as well.
Regarding commercial activities near the Seven Hills of Tirumala, Naidu said that prior approval for a hotel project had been revoked.
“Permission had previously been granted for the Mumtaz Hotel adjacent to the area. However, the government has now decided to cancel the approval for the hotel, which was planned on 35.32 acres of land. There should be no commercialization near the Seven Hills of Tirumala,” Naidu asserted.
While the hotel management had proposed serving only vegetarian food, the government has decided against allowing any private commercial establishments in the sacred area.
Expressing his deep devotion to Lord Venkateswara, Naidu recounted a past assassination attempt on his life, attributing his survival to divine grace.
“I was targeted with 24 Claymore mines. Surviving such an attack was impossible, but I lived solely due to the divine grace of Lord Venkateswara. The fact that I survived such a massive explosion proves the Lord’s immense power,” he said.
Earlier, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Trust Board had demanded the cancellation of the land allotment to Mumtaz Hotel in the Alipiri area, adjacent to the Tirumala temple.
TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu stated that the temple board had passed a resolution in November 2024, urging the government to cancel the lease and reclaim the land for temple use.
“Yesterday, we passed a resolution and requested the government to cancel the lease. We are going to hand over that land for the temple,” the TTD chairman said.
He further remarked that the hotel’s location near the temple was “objectionable” to Hindus.
“The government had initially allotted land for the ‘Devalokam’ project under Tourism. However, the last government changed the decision and granted it to Mumtaz Hotel. Since it is adjacent to the temple, it is highly objectionable for Hindus,” he added.
With these decisions, the Andhra Pradesh government is reinforcing Tirumala’s religious sanctity while taking steps to preserve the temple’s heritage and traditions.
