Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has submitted a proposal to rename Renigunta airport in Andhra Pradesh as “Sri Venkateswara International Airport,” aiming to enhance the spiritual experience for devotees traveling to Tirupati. Along with the renaming, the airport is set for a redesign to embody the divine aesthetics of Tirumala. This initiative is part of a larger effort by TTD to strengthen its presence beyond the temple town, including plans for new projects in Bengaluru and Delhi, as well as sustainable transport upgrades.
Spiritual Transformation of the Airport
TTD Chairman BR Naidu announced that the proposal to rename Renigunta airport has been forwarded to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for approval. The redesign will reflect the devotional ambiance of Tirumala, aiming to create a welcoming gateway that resonates with the spiritual significance of Lord Venkateswara. This transformation is expected to enhance the travel experience for pilgrims and boost the cultural importance of the airport.
In addition, TTD is looking to expand its footprint by constructing a Srivari temple in Bengaluru, pending land approval from the Karnataka government. The temple administration is also focusing on sustainability efforts, with Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Kumara Swamy, agreeing to provide 100 electric buses to integrate into Tirumala’s transport system soon, reducing carbon emissions and improving eco-friendly travel for devotees.
Modernisation and Social Initiatives
TTD is also working on modernising the 73-year-old Sri Venkateswara College in Delhi. A three-member committee led by BR Naidu will address the concerns of about 200 contract lecturers before fresh appointments are made, aiming to improve educational standards and governance at the college.
The temple’s Dharmic wing plans to launch multiple community-focused programmes. These include priesthood training for backward communities, student value education through the Sadgamaya initiative, and spiritual empowerment for women via the Saubhagyam programme on Varalakshmi Vratam. Other initiatives cover children’s education (Akshara Govindam), storytelling traditions (Harikatha Vaibhavam), prison inmate rehabilitation (Sanmargam), tribal welfare (Giri Janardhanam), and promotion of ecological and spiritual values through the Vana-Nidhi project.
TTD’s efforts come after a 2024 controversy concerning the purity of Tirupati laddus, which triggered demands for stringent quality checks. To address this, the temple body will lease space in Tirupati to set up a CSIR laboratory to test the quality of ghee, water, and food used in temple offerings, ensuring transparency and trust among devotees.
