Tirumala, December 13 (H.S.): The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is making arrangements to provide high-quality Annaprasadam to devotees at all temples under its administration, including affiliated temples, by March 2026. The initiative is being taken following instructions from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

As part of the plan, TTD has already initiated Annaprasadam distribution at 60 affiliated temples, of which 12 temples have begun serving devotees. TTD chairman B R Naidu and executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal have conducted review meetings to speed up implementation in the remaining temples.

TTD is also considering entering into memorandums of understanding with religious organisations and mutts, including ISKCON, that are willing to take up the preparation and distribution of Annaprasadam.

The Annaprasadam programme was first introduced by TTD on the suggestion of the then Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, who inaugurated the service on April 6, 1985. On April 1, 1994, the programme was institutionalised as the Sri Venkateswara Nithyannadanam Trust, later renamed the Sri Venkateswara Annaprasadam Trust. Initially, the old Annadanam complex opposite the Kalyanakatta in Tirumala was used for the service.

On July 7, 2011, the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam building, equipped with modern facilities, was inaugurated by the then President Pratibha Patil. On normal days, around 1.80 lakh to 1.90 lakh devotees partake of Annaprasadam at Tirumala, while the number rises to about 2.10 lakh on weekends.

Officials said that if the trust’s corpus reaches Rs 2,316 crore by November 15, expansion of the scheme would not face any hurdles. Priority will be given to donor support, and if required, TTD will independently manage the expansion. Officials are also examining the procurement of necessary equipment for kitchens currently under construction.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar