Tirupati: Spiritual guru drags Tirumala into controversy
Speaking at a TV show, Sahasra Tulasi Srinivasam programme, the Swamy brought the instance of ancient Roman culture and stated that going to Tirumala is like going to a club.
Praising the catholic culture and bashing the present state of Hindu temples, the spiritual guru also asserted, "Church gives. Temple takes." Chinna Jeeyar also said that Hindu temple authorities have started using the religious places as their pomps.
Expressing his views about the comfort of the pilgrims visiting Tirumala, the swamy also claimed that everything on the hills belonged to the Lord himself and comforts to pilgrims should be considered secondary.
His controversial statement came following the act of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) authorities' demolishing the historic 'Veyyi Kaalla Mandapam' to provide a wide space to give comforts to the devotees and to organise festivities.
Chinna Jeeyar, during the time demolition of the Mandapam, had warned the TTD authorities about the risk that wild animals of Tirumala forest could attack pilgrims. However, reacting to the spiritual guru's statements, TTD authorities said, "If there is truth in what Swamiji has said we will try to correct our ways. In a democratic society every one is entitled to have their own views."
OneIndia News