TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which till Thursday had the distinction of being the premier religious institution in the country, is now gradually focusing its attention on more social activities if `Dalita Govindam' and `Kalyanamastu'(mass marriages) programmes are any indication.

While the `Dalita Govindam' is aimed at breaking social barriers, the much-appreciated conduct of the `mass marriage' programme is aimed at checking religious conversion among weaker and downtrodden communities.

Blessings for Dalits

The first-ever `Dalita Govindam' programme was organised on April 9. As part of the programme, the TTD management organised the Kalyanotsavams of the Lord at the dalitawada in Vemuru - a remote village on the outskirts of Tirupati town and showered the `vedic blessings' (Vedasirvachanams), which was confined to the VVIPs visiting the Tirumala temple, on Dalits.

TTD priests along with senior officials, shared dinner with residents of the dalitawada and slept in the same colony.

The second programme organised at Tallapaka village in connection with the conduct of the 599th birth anniversary celebrations of the saint composer Tallapaka Annamacharya during the first week of May no doubt cheered the spirits of TTD employees and people of the region.

Second phase

Under `Kalyanamastu'(mass marriages) programme, the TTD intends to conduct over 1 lakh marriages every year in the State.

The first ever socio-programme by the TTD was conducted on February 22 this year facilitating more than 5,000 couples to enter into wedlock.

The programme was conducted in all the 294 Assembly constituencies of the State with over Rs.30 crores being spent.Buoyed by the initial success it received in the conduct of the mass programme the management is all set to make large-scale arrangements for its second phase scheduled on August 26.

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