In a novel gesture as part of its mission to promote Sanatana Dharma, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), an autonomous body governing the country’s richest temple at Tirumala, has decided to make “Mangal Sutrams” and putting them for sale to the devotees seeking divine blessings for a happy married life. The TTD will use a part of the gold reserves lying in its treasury for this purpose.
These Mangala Sutrams, weighing 5 grams and 10 grams each, will be sold on a cost-to-cost basis in four or five designs, the TTD trust board chairman B Karunakar Reddy said.
Hitherto, the young couples have been receiving a packet of “Akshintalu” (sacred grains of rice mixed with turmeric and vermillion), along with “Raksha” (sacred thread tied to the wrists) from the TTD as a mark of blessings from the Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala to their doorstep, if they send their wedding card to the temple authorities.
Now, couples can even get “Mangal Sutrams” made of pure gold from the Tirumala temple, of course at a price. “It would be on a cost-to-cost basis without any motto of making profits. The Mangala Sutrams would be available in four or five designs to suit the traditions of the Hindus,” Reddy said.
“By introducing the sale of Mangala Sutram which has the blessings of Lord Venkateswara Swamy, we feel it will further strengthen the bond of the newly married couples and help lead a blissful married life,” the TTD chairman said.
Apart from Mangala Sutrams, the TTD has also decided to make Lakshmi Kasulu (gold coins with Goddess Lakshmi's image).
According to a white paper released by the TTD in November 2022, the Tirumala temple has gold reserves to the extent of 10.3 tonnes worth Rs 5,300 crore. The reserves continue to grow, with devotees offering gold ornaments and even pure gold biscuits to the Lord every day.
In December 2022, the TTD decided to make use of its gold reserves to take up an ambitious project of gold-plating Ananda Nilayam, as the three-storied “Vimana” (dome-shaped gopuram) atop the sanctum sanctorum is referred to, by removing the existing sheets of gold and copper alloy, to give the structure a grand and brand-new look. In January 2023, however, the TTD announced that the project was being kept in abeyance for an indefinite period, following apprehensions from various sections over the handling of the entire project in the wake of the huge footfall of devotees to the temple every day.
Meanwhile, the TTD trust board approved an annual budget of Rs 5,141.74 crore for the financial year 2024-25. “This is slightly higher than the previous year’s budget of Rs 5,123 crore,” the chairman said.
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