A Chennai-based devotee, Vardhaman Jain, made a generous donation of Rs 6 crore to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Sunday.
Jain handed over the demand drafts for the donation at the Ranganayakula Mandapam within the Tirumala temple, in the presence of TTD Additional Executive Officer Venkayya Choudary.
Of the total amount, Rs 5 crore was allocated to the SVBC (Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel) and Rs 1 crore was donated to the SV Gosamrakshana Trust.
The SVBC is a television channel dedicated to promoting Hindu religious activities and devotional programs, while the SV Gosamrakshana Trust focuses on the protection of cows and their spiritual significance.
The donor has contributed to several Trusts of TTD in the past also, the temple said in its press release.
TTD was in the spotlight following the Centre’s decision to withdraw its planned field investigation into recent incidents in Tirumala.
The investigation was intended to look into the stampede-like situation in Tirupati on January 8 and the fire accident at the Tirumala laddu counter on January 13. However, after facing widespread opposition, the Centre opted to cancel the on-site probe initially scheduled to be led by Additional Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Jindal.