No ban on carrying Chhatrapati Shivaji's idol, clarifies TTD after viral video

Tirumala: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams clarified that the idols and portraits considered worship worthy by Hindus like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Vivekananda would be allowed in Tirumala. TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy said that to maintain the holiness and sanctity of Tirumala hill shrine, TTD has decided not to allow idols or materials with, political and other non-Hindu faiths into Tirumala.

"Social media campaign that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj idol was not allowed to Tirumala was false. It was a miscommunication, and the video on social media gave wrong statements to the people of Maharastra After routine checks, the vehicles were allowed ", he said. Earlier, MP from Maharashtra Parbhani Sanjay Jadhav said arrangements by the TTD administration are devotee friendly. This followed the controversy over not allowing Chhatrapati Shivaji's idol into Tirumala temple.

"A few days ago a devotee from Maharashtra made a video viral on social media saying that TTD security insulted him for carrying Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj idol in the car which is baseless. Being an internationally acclaimed place of pilgrimage for Hindus, every vehicle undergoes a security check at the Alipiri check post. As it is a rule with the TTD board not to carry the images or symbols or personalities or flags of political parties, or other religious faiths, each vehicle is being checked, Jadhav said.

What happened?

A few days ago, during a routine vehicle check, a Maharashtrian pilgrim was found carrying an idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji. After verifying, they allowed the vehicle. But the devotee's video abusing the TTD board went viral. "But in reality, that was incorrect. The people of Maharastra should not believe such false rumors. Maharashtrians should honor the rules and regulations and co-operate with security checks", the MP stated.