Devotees in Tirupati are shocked as the room rent for devotees has been increased from 2 times to 5 times.
It is reported that one of the most visited temples in India is the Tirupati Eyumalayan temple and it receives crores of rupees income every day.
It is noteworthy that Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has provided various facilities to the devotees who come to Tirupati and many facilities are being provided especially alms in consideration of the offerings given by the devotees who come to this temple.
In this situation, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has suddenly increased the rent of the room for the devotees from 2 times to 7 times, which has caused a great shock. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has informed that while the 4 dormitories in Kelastapam, Nandakam, Panjajanyam and Vagulamatha complex were charging Rs.500 to Rs.600 per room, now it has been increased to Rs.1000.
Similarly, the room rent in Narayangiri hostels was Rs 150 but has been increased to Rs 600 from January 1, causing a great shock to the devotees. Also, the Devasthanam has announced that the rent for the rooms in Narayangiri No. 4 has been increased to Rs. 1700 from Rs. 750 so far. It is noteworthy that while the rent of a special room in Narayangiri hostel was Rs.750, it has now been increased to Rs.2200 inclusive of GST and the rent of special category houses has been increased to Rs.2800.
Likewise SNC, ANC ASC where poor people stay. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has informed that the rent of hotels like SEC has been increased to Rs 100 while the rent has been increased to Rs 50.
As the rates of all the rental houses in Tirupati have been hiked manifold, it is certain that the expenses of the pilgrims going to Tirupati will double. Now a question has arisen in the minds of the devotees as to why the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, which earns crores of rupees, has increased the rent for ordinary devotees.
Devotees are suggesting that if the income coming to Tirupati is taken into account, the devotees can be given rooms for free or they can be given rooms on low rent. Apart from that, the vehicle fare has also been hiked at Alibiri check-posts, Devasthan bus fares operating between Tirupati-Tirumala and Lattu Vada Prasad have also been hiked recently. In this situation, the devotees are condemning the hike in the accommodation fees.
When a prominent BJP official said about this, ‘Though it is true that the facilities for the devotees have been improved, it is not fair to increase the rent of the dormitory several times and the rent can be increased only partially. He said that the rent of the hostels has been increased by three to five times and although the rich devotees do not see this, it is a huge burden on the common poor devotees.
He alleged that the Devasthanam was not aware of this burden on the devotees and did not consult with the devotees and political parties before raising the rent. Will Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam reduce the room rental charges considering the inconvenience of common devotees? We have to wait and see.