Tirupati Temple to Give Copies of the Bhagavad Gita To Prisoners

[suchandra]

Well yes, there was a time when so many people wanted to have a Bhagavad-gita that there wasn't any time for visiting prisoners.

This has changed now.

 

 

Tirupati Temple to Give Copies of the Bhagavad-Gita To Prisoners

 

Source: http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=89908

HYDERABAD, INDIA, August 26, 2008: In an attempt to bring a change in the mindset of prisoners, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has decided to gift them copies of the Bhagavad Gita. The TTD, which manages the affairs of Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati, said it would distribute copies of the holy book among prisoners lodged in various jails in Andhra Pradesh.

The board also decided to gift prasadam, holy food offerings from the temple to prisoners at least once a year. TTD chairman Karunakar Reddy, who presided over the meeting at Tirupati, hoped that distribution would change the prisoners.

The governing body also decided to impose a complete ban on footwear in the area around the temple. In a move to maintain the sanctity of the place, it banned footwear in the complexes and lanes.

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Tirupati temple to give `Bhagavad Gita' to prisoners

 

Hyderabad, Aug 23 (IANS) In an attempt to bring a change in the mindset of prisoners, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has decided to gift them copies of "Bhagavad Gita".

The TTD, which manages the affairs of Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati, said it would distribute copies of the holy book among prisoners lodged in various jails in Andhra Pradesh.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the TTD governing body, which looks after India's richest Hindu temple. The board also decided to gift 'Venkanna prasadam' or holy offering from the temple to prisoners at least once a year.

TTD chairman Karunakar Reddy, who presided over the meeting at Tirupati, hoped that distribution of "Bhagavad Gita" copies and 'prasadam' would bring about a change in the attitude of the prisoners.

The governing body also decided to impose a complete ban on footwear in the area around the temple. In a move to maintain the sanctity of the place, it banned footwear in the complexes and lanes around the temple.

The decisions were taken at the last meeting of TTD governing body, whose two-year term expires Aug 24. The governing body, which completed 75 years last month, is engaged in many social and educational activities.

It had introduced 'Kalyanamastu' or mass marriages programme last year to strengthen the Hindu marriage system and to help the poor Hindu families perform the marriages of their children in accordance with Hindu traditions.

One of the richest shrines in the world and often compared with Vatican City, the 16th century Lord Venkateswara temple on Tirumala hills draws over 50,000 devotees every day. The number crosses 100,000 during annual rituals and on important occasions.

Believed to have been constructed in 1570 A.D., the temple earns Rs.5 billion annually through the daily offerings of devotees. It also funds a university and other educational institutions.

The TTD's budget for 2008-09 is Rs.19.25 billion. The temple is expected to earn Rs.1 billion from the sale of human hair, which is part of the devotees' offerings to the deity.