Most Hindus and devotees of Lord Sri Venkateswara would agree with recent comments of Sri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami at Vizianagaram on Tirumala Temple Sanctity. Swamiji compared Tirumala with Vatican purely in the context of the religiously conducive environment. The key question is, would a pilgrimage / visit to Tirumala today would enlighten the devotees and instill the faith in the Hindu religion?
To verify what Swamiji said, someone need not visit Vatican or St Peters basilica, the holiest place for the Catholics. One can go to a local mosque, local church or a local Gurudwara to understand the fundamental difference. I had an opportunity to visit Vatican during the Easter which was considered one of the holiest periods of the Christian Calender. Christians and visitors across the world are congregating for the papal speech. With all the lengthy queues, there were none pushing anyone, nor anyone pulling the frail shoulders of elders. Everyone queueing into the St Peters basilica were in silent prayer. Trying to reconnect with God. There was no noise per se. Everyone have had the opportunity to see, touch or seek the blessings. I for one could not believe after finishing the journey inside, how it could be possible? The instant thought was about Tirumala. Even if you ever visit a local Church or a masjid or even Golden Temple at Amritsar, I am sure the visitor or devotee experience is no different.
Then what is the problem so unique with Tirumala or any Hindu temple. It all comes down to three important things - Hierarchy, Money and Governance. A Hindu while on a visit to any temple would be automatically put on a hierarchy based on their position. A Politician, a wealthy businessman or a powerful bureaucrat would be in the top slot. Secondly,. every devotee is given an option based on Money purchasing power (Darshans - called, special, speedy or extra special based on the sevas they buy). Finally, the Governance. Unlike any other Religion, Government actively interferes with the functioning of the Hindu Temples in the name of Endowments and sometimes, syphons the money meant for the temples into the Government budgets. As a result, in any Hindu temple we experience little about religion / God. It is always about authority, power, display of wealth.
Today, most Hindu's have come to a point of buying God and HIS blessings. How intellectual is once faith, to believe that God would always bless some one who would put Crores of rupees in Hundi's or by donating a share ill gotten wealth by the name of ornaments? Order of the day or faith is centered around "Higher the sin in the material world, to be sinless offer huge donations". In Bhagavat Gita Lord Krishna said "You offer a fruit, flower or even water to seek my blessings but what is neeed is chastity of mind". But, it is no more possible to believe this gospel truth in this highly commercialised Hindu Temples.
Over the decades this kind of faith has been inculcated into the Hindu's by the Government, Politicians, psuedo-Hindu party like BJP , the Temple Priests and fake Swamijis (it is ironic to note that none of these classes have any credibility). Today TTD is simply Government Department. The Executive Officers and TTD employees at every level need to be loyal to their bosses - but not Lord Srinivasa. All these employees simply work for their living but not for Serving the God or God's children.
Occasional note of discontentment from Chinna Jeeyar Swami does not help to correct the fundamental and deep rooted issues. We cannot blame TTD either since, Government always have the power to change the officers at their will. The only solution is - fundamental change in thinking and mindset of every Hindu & if every Hindu parent inculcate the essence of the religion. Until that happens and extends into the community there is no hope to correct this materialistic and commercial elements of the Hinduism. Let's hope, it would happen one day!
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