It appears, courting controversies at the drop of the hat is the best pastime of the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams. The cash-rich board governing the functioning of one of the most popular Hindu temples is all set to kick up a new storm with another foolhardy decisions.

About 5,000 sadhus hailing from Gujarat are currently camping in Tirumala to perform a nine-day long yagam. The ritual, being planned in the name of ‘the wellbeing of the universe’, clearly goes against the well-laid out religious principles as per the Agama Shastra, which govern the rules of the hill-shrine.

The Tirumala temple rules clearly state that no entity or individuals other than the TTD are entitled to perform yagyas, homams or havans on the sacred land. But the hectic preparations being made for the yagam by the sadhus now is causing widespread consternation.

The sadhus have converged on Tirumala from all over Gujarat in the last two days for this very purpose. Even more shocking is the TTD’s attitude which is rolling out the red carpet for them instead of playing the custodian.

Preparations are in full swing to erect large tents and dig up fire-altars in a three-acre area opposite the Tirumala Kalyana Vedika. No stone is being left unturned to provide food and accommodation to these sadhus.

The TTD top authorities remain unapproachable for their response on these arrangements. But the heads of several peethams and devotees, clamouring long for safeguarding the sanctity of Tirumala, have no doubts on who is hosting the event. They argue that a mammoth ritual of this size, that too against all traditions, simply cannot unfold in Tirumala without the approval of the TTD.

Adding more fire to the raging issue, temple chief priest Ramana Deekshithulu stated that he had no information about the planned spiritual ritual. In a subtle reference that a yaagam of this magnitude and under the aegis of outsiders is not permissible in Tirumala, he quietly confirmed that he was not consulted by anyone on the issue.