There is no place in the universe so sacred as Venkatadri (Tirumala) or TTD; there could be no manifestation of God like Sri Venkateswara either in the past or even in the future. – Brahma Purana Now TTD and Lord Balaji is all set to make International presence.
No not by advertisement, but the famous National Geographic channel has shot a documentary on Lord Balaji at Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam in the name of the inside story of Balaji. Before this no one has shot it so beautifully and no one narrated the story in this form.
The renowned international electronic media channel, National Geographic Channel (NGC) has shot a creative and in depth documentary on TTD, which will be broadcast on the channel in March end.The documentary will be telecast in a series, focusing on Tirumala being one of the most important Hindu Pilgrimage centres, about the deities, Brahmotsavams, festivals, pilgrims, trekking routes, laddu prasadam, free food and experience of devotees, with high quality visuals.
People say Vatican is the richest religious place in the entire world, but now TTD is being put on the same spot. Were it not for the thousands who throng to its hilltop shrine, Tirupati would be just another dusty town in Andhra Pradesh. Plans were afoot to give it the grandeur and special status of a holy city on the lines of the Vatican in Rome.
Inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) the then, Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao proclaimed: “If the Vatican is the religious centre for Christians, Tirupati should be the same for the Hindus all over the world. This is my ambition.”
NGC representatives Rajendra Kondappali and script writer Purnima Rao presented the documentary to TTD Executive officer Dr D Sambasiva Rao here. The EO was mesmerized and said that the documentary will reach wide range of devotees of Srivaru across the globe. Lets hope TTD will go global after the NGC documentary.
U.Srinivas
Editor