Andhra DyCM Pawan Kalyan's daughter declares faith before visiting Tirupati
Kalyan’s daughter Palina is reportedly a non-Hindu and TTD’s rules mandate that non-Hindus have to declare their faith in the deity before visiting the temple
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s daughter on Wednesday (October 2) gave a declaration at Tirumala temple that she has faith in Lord Venkateswara.
The Deputy CM’s youngest daughter Palina Anjani Konidela is reportedly a non-Hindu and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam’s (TTD) — the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati — rules mandate that non-Hindus have to declare their faith in the deity before making a visit to the temple.
“Palina Anjani Konidela gave the declaration for Srivari (deity) visit in Tirumala. She signed the documents provided by TTD staff. As Palina Anjani is a minor, her father Pawan Kalyan also endorsed the documents,” said a Janasena press release.
Also Read: Tirupati's declaration form for non-Hindus: Sonia, Abdul Kalam signed; even Jagan did once
The declaration assumes significance as BJP leaders and several Hindu outfits had demanded that YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, a Christian, has to issue a similar declaration before his recent cancelled visit to the temple.
Pawan's penance
Currently, Kalyan is on a three-day visit to the temple as part of his 11-day penance to atone for the alleged sins committed by the previous YSRCP regime at Tirumala. He reached Tirumala on foot on Wednesday.
Pawan Kalyan has claimed that the penance was not only over the alleged adulteration of laddus served at the temple with animal fat. “This is not just about one prasad issue (adulteration of laddus). Maybe it came out. Maybe this was a triggering point to initiate this,” Kalyan told reporters earlier.
“Prayaschitta Deeksha (penance) is a commitment to take forward Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) protection. (It) is very essential. That is the order of the day,” he added. The Jana Sena chief has claimed that the temple was desecrated repeatedly under the previous YSRCP government.
Kalyan will return from Tirumala to Vijayawada on Thursday evening. Once his penance is done, a declaration will be released, he said.
(With agency inputs)