Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – Schemes and Trusts
Philanthropy is one of the major sources of revenue that drives the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in its endeavor to benefit society. More than the money involved, it is the offerings made by the devotees, right from a normal person to a multi-millionaire, in fulfillment of their vow that matters.
Any devotee can simply drop his offerings into the ‘Srivari Hundi’. Besides, they can also contribute a significant amount to the scores of schemes and trusts run by the TTD as part of its social responsibility. By contributing to the schemes, every devotee can become a partner with the TTD’s objectives to reach out to society.
Sri Venkateswara Anna Prasadam Trust
Going by the adage ‘Manava Sevaye Madhava Seva’ (service to humanity is service to the Lord), the TTD launched Sri Venkateswara Anna Prasadam Trust, which is a major source today in providing meals to the tens of thousands of devotees visiting Tirumala every day.
Every morsel of food provided to the common public is viewed as ‘Srivari Prasadam’ and hence is accepted with utmost devotion.
One-Day Donation Scheme
T.T.D. has introduced a scheme towards a one-day contribution of the donation amount for serving Annaprasadam at Tirumala. The devotees can contribute towards the entire one-day Annaprasadam or breakfast, lunch, or dinner the name of the donor will be displayed at MTVAC, and the donor is permitted to serve the Annaprasadam on any chosen date.
The contributions will be treated as corpus donations and uniform privileges will apply to the donors like darshan, accommodation, etc.
Sri Venkateswara Pranadana Trust
The TTD has several hospitals under its umbrella, which provide free medical treatment and even conduct surgeries for the deserving poor. Sri Venkateswara Pranadana Trust was formed with the noble aim of providing free medication to poor patients afflicted with life-threatening diseases related to heart, kidney, brain, etc.
Beneficiaries are identified transparently by a team of medical experts and the treatment or surgery is done free of cost.
With medical care becoming increasingly unaffordable, this trust has proved to be a savior for many.
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Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana Trust
This trust is yet another forum that plays a very important role in the protection of cows, which is of paramount importance in Hindu Dharma. The TTD established a dairy farm called ‘Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanasala’ in Tirupati in the year 1956 and formed the trust in 2002 to meet its needs.
Devotees can also help in the protection and propagation of endangered varieties of native cows such as Gir, Sahiwal, Kankrej, Ongole, and Punganur, as TTD management has taken up the massive responsibility with the contribution received by this trust.
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Sri Venkateswara Vidyadana Trust
This trust was formed in the year 2008 to sanction scholarships to 1000 meritorious students living below the poverty line. Students studying in Zilla Parishat, municipal corporation, private aided, and even the schools run by the TTD management are eligible to get the scholarships.
By providing education to a single student, the TTD aims to better the lives of an entire generation.
Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (BIRRD)
Physical disability is one major impediment that ruins one’s life. To come to the rescue of such disabled persons, the TTD formed the Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (BIRRD) Trust to treat patients suffering from polio mellitus, cerebral palsy, congenital anomalies, spinal injuries, and other orthopedic disorders.
With state-of-the-art equipment and modern operation theatres, the BIRRD hospital is comparable to the best orthopedic super-specialty hospitals in Asia. The treatment is provided free of cost at this hospital to the deserving persons.
Sri Venkateswara Veda Parirakshana Trust
Vedas are at the root of Hindu Dharma. The Sanatana Hindu Dharma is identified through the Vedic tradition. To preserve the ancient Vedas, Sri Venkateswara Veda Parirakshana Trust was formed in the year 2007. With this, the TTD runs Veda Patasalas and provides financial emoluments to aged Vedic scholars to let them share their rich knowledge with the younger generation.
Donating to this trust is synonymous with protecting the ancient Vedic civilization. As repair, renovation, and revival of ancient temples is the key to protecting the Hindu Dharma, Sri Venkateswara Heritage Preservation Trust was introduced in 2006 to protect dilapidated temples and other heritage structures. Donations to this trust will directly help in protecting our ancient temple tradition.
Sri Venkateswara Sarvasreyas Trust
The TTD established Sri Venkateswara Bala Mandir in the year 1943 to take care of orphaned children. It was later renamed as Sri Venkateswara Sarvasreyas Trust, which provides shelter to boys and girls who have no parents or those with parents who are not able to bring them up due to financial constraints.
Such children are admitted to this school and free education is provided to make them bright and responsible citizens.
Sri Venkateswara Alaya Nirmanam (SRIVANI) Trust
Sri Venkateswara Alaya Nirmanam (SRIVANI) Trust has been formed in recent years to construct, maintain, manage, and administer Sri Venkateswara temples and their properties. Various religious rituals pertaining to the temples will also be performed with the funds donated to the trust.
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Sri Balaji Arogya Varaprasadini Scheme
It was formed in the year 2007 in Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), the TTD’s super specialty hospital. The funds received by this trust are used to conduct medical research and provide medical treatment to deserving patients.
How to Make Donation
For all the above trusts, devotees can issue a cheque or draw a demand draft in favor of ‘The Executive Officer, TTD, Tirupati’ and send it to the address ‘The Chief Accounts Officer, Centralised Donor Management Cell, TTD administrative building, Kapila Theertham Road, Tirupati – 517 501’.
All donations are exempt under Sec 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.
Privileges to Donors
The TTD also provides certain privileges to the donors contributing to the above schemes.
1 to 5 Lakh
According to the information provided by the TTD, philanthropists donating any amount between Rs.1 lakh and Rs.5 lakh will be allowed for Darshan through ‘Supatham’ for one day in a year (subject to availability) for their family of five persons. They will also get free accommodation for five persons or VIP accommodation on a payment basis once a year.
Six small Laddus will be provided to them during their visit for Darshan, apart from one Dupatta, a blouse piece as ‘Bahumanam’. These privileges will be extended during the lifetime of the donor in case of individuals or for 20 years, in case of firms, companies, and joint donors.
5 to 10 Lakh
Those who donate an amount between Rs.5 lakh and Rs.10 lakh will get Darshan through ‘Supatham’ for three days in a year (subject to availability) for five members of their family. Free accommodation will be provided for three days or VIP accommodation on a payment basis.
Ten small Laddus are provided during two visits to the temple, at the rate of five each time, apart from Dupatta, blouse piece as ‘Bahumanam’. A silver coin weighing 50 grams will be given once in their lifetime.
10 Lakh to 1 Crore
Donors donating an amount between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.1 crore will be provided break darshan for three days in a year (subject to availability) for their family of five persons. They will be provided accommodation three times a year in any room with a tariff value of Rs.500. A gold dollar weighing 5 grams and a silver coin weighing 50 grams will be given once in their lifetime.
1 Crore and Above
Those donating Rs.1 crore and above will get VIP break Darshan for three days a year free of cost for their family of five persons. This apart, the donor’s family will also be provided Suprabhatha Seva for any three days other than the VIP break day. They will get accommodation in a VIP suite having a tariff value of Rs.2500 for three days a year.
‘Veda Asirvachanam’ will be performed free of cost at Ranganayakula Mandapam by Vedic Pundits on any day chosen by the devotee once a year. Ten big Laddus will be provided to them every year, at the rate of five per visit for two times.
They will also get one gold dollar weighing 5 grams and a 50-gram silver coin once in their lifetime.
Devotees donating Rs.10000 to SRIVANI Trust will get the privilege of VIP break darshan. One VIP break darshan ticket is given for every donation of Rs.10000, subject to a ceiling of nine persons. Donors will have to redeem the privilege by paying Rs.500 per ticket.
In all the above cases, room is not provided to a single person arriving at Tirumala.
Sri Venkateswara Aapanna Hrudaya Scheme
Donors can sponsor the cost of a child’s heart surgery by donating Rs.1 lakh to the hospital under the Sri Venkateswara Aapanna Hrudaya Scheme for children treated at Sri Padmavati CHildren Heart Centre, Tirupati. Donors can be individuals, corporate firms, or trusts.
Donors will get a one-time break darshan for a family of five persons (subject to availability). For firms and trusts, five persons will be allowed for Break darshan on payment of Break darshan charges.
Devotees can donate to any of the above trusts/schemes to directly contribute to the TTD’s activities to make the world a better place to live in.
