While there has been a buzz around the initiative for some months, Hyderabad Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has finally decided to create a platform for individuals of non-Hindu faith to publicly express their belief in Hinduism and embrace Sanatan Dharma as their way of life. TTD board chairman Bhumana Karunukar Reddy made the announcement during the second day of the Dharmika Sadas taking place at Astana Mandapam in Tirumala.
Speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the Dharmika Sadas near the Tirupati (Venkateshwara) temple, Reddy said, “The TTD has decided to set up a platform, which will provide an opportunity for people of any faith to declare their faith in Hinduism, belief in Hindu gods and adopt Sanatana Dharma, which has been the way of life for centuries.”
The chairman expressed his satisfaction in announcing that this platform would be a pioneering initiative in the nation. He stressed that Tirumala, the sacred dwelling of the esteemed Hindu deity Lord Mahavishnu, would serve as the venue for individuals to profess their beliefs in Hinduism.
The chairman highlighted the importance of religious leaders and heads of different religious institutions coming together at the Dharmik Sadas, urging TTD to spearhead the propagation of Sanatana Dharma by preventing religious conversions.
Reddy remembered that previously, TTD had also arranged events such as Dalit Govindam, Kalyanamastu and Kaisika Dwadasi, which played a role in curbing religious conversions in the rural regions. “The idea is to spread the values embedded in the great epics, heritage, culture and religious texts of Hindu religion among the public, especially the younger generation of today,” he said.
The TTD chairman has also proposed providing any necessary support to the management of the recently built Rama temple in Ayodhya for temple operations and crowd control. “For several decades, TTD had acquired expertise in handling the temple administration and had not faced any difficulty in handling the increasing footfall of the pilgrims. We are ready to give any suggestions to the Ayodhya temple management in any manner as they deem it necessary,” Reddy said.
