With the main pontiff of the Tirupati Balaji Temple testing positive for Covid-19, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has left the decision on the government to suspend darshans. Out of the five personnel have died due to this virus in Andhra Pradesh, two belonged to this temple town only. Another two were from the adjacent Kadapa district and other from Godavari district. Everyday record spike of Covid-19 cases is reported from the state. There were 52 deaths and 3,963 cases on Saturday itself.
The deaths of the journalists are being mourned by many prominent leaders from N. Chandrababu Naidu to the CM Jaganmohan Reddy. TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh, in a tweet, condoled their death and demanded the government to provide Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia to each. He asked media personnel to be alert and aware during this crisis and take care of themselves and their families. The Opposition has asked the government to include media staff into the list of frontline warriors like doctors, police and sanitisation workers.
On the other hand, one of the Jeeyangars of TTD, the ombudsman on the maintenance of Agama traditions as per Sri Vaishnava and Vaikhanasa practices in the Tirupati Balaji temple, was tested Covid-positive. The Jeeyar Swamy exhibited mild symptoms, was tested positive and shifted to hospital.
Many priests tested positive, so the honorary chief priest and advisor of TTD Ramana Dikshitulu has called for the closure of the Tirupati temple for a few weeks to protect the priests. So far, 160 TTD employees have been tested Covidpositive.
Alarm bells are ringing on the seven hills of Lord Balaji, the reporters and camerapersons who cover events there also tested positive for the virus.
Since there is a strong protest from priests, the government may decide to close the temple for devotees soon. TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy said, “A decision on whether to continue with darshan or not would be taken soon. No devotee has been tested positive so far on the hills.”
The district officials are also in the favour of temple closure.