Daijiworld Media Network – Tirupati
Tirupati, Jul 16: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) received a record Rs 96.98 crore in donations in a single day on Tuesday, a day before its revised donor privileges policy came into effect.
The surge in contributions followed TTD's announcement that devotees who donated before the new policy was implemented would continue to enjoy the existing donor benefits, prompting thousands to make last-minute contributions.
According to TTD, 2,460 donors contributed to various trusts and schemes, including 2,354 online and 106 offline donors. Of them, 1,212 donated between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, while 1,246 contributed between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh. Two devotees donated more than Rs 1 crore each.
As of June 26, TTD had 1,97,888 registered donors, including nearly 1.5 lakh who had donated Rs 1 lakh and around 22,000 who had contributed Rs 10 lakh or more.
The revised donor policy aims to ensure that special privileges for donors do not affect darshan opportunities for ordinary devotees. Under the new framework, donor benefits will remain valid for 20 years for individual donors and 15 years for institutions, trusts and companies.
TTD has also barred the transfer or commercial use of donor privileges and empowered itself to immediately cancel benefits if misuse is detected. All donor darshan and seva bookings will now be processed exclusively through the Donor Management System (DMS).
TTD Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra said the revised policy seeks to rationalise donor privileges while safeguarding the interests of common pilgrims.
"There will be no change in the benefits already extended to donors who contributed under the existing policy," he clarified.
The new policy also introduces significant changes to seva allotments. Earlier, donors contributing Rs 50 lakh or more were eligible for one to three Suprabhata Sevas annually depending on the donation amount. Under the revised system, these benefits have been converted into one-time entitlements.
For example, an individual donating Rs 50 lakh will now receive 10 Suprabhata Sevas and two Kalyanotsavam Sevas, which can be utilised until the allotted quota is exhausted.
Corporate and institutional donors contributing up to Rs 25 lakh will no longer be eligible for Suprabhata or Kalyanotsavam privileges. Only those donating Rs 50 lakh or more will receive one-time seva benefits.
TTD has also revised donor mementoes. Earlier, donors contributing Rs 1 crore received a 5-gram gold dollar and a 50-gram silver coin. Under the new policy, individual and institutional donors contributing Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore and above will receive a 2-gram gold dollar and a 10-gram silver coin.
TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu said the temple body's focus remains on improving pilgrim services, preserving religious traditions and ensuring that donor recognition is balanced with a smooth darshan experience for the lakhs of devotees visiting Tirumala each year.