Former head priest of Chilkur Balaji temple no more

Hyderabad

Former head priest of Chilkur Balaji temple, also known as Visa Balaji, Soundar Rajan (90) passed away on Friday due to age-related illness.

Mr. Soundar Rajan breathed his last at his residence in Chilkur, according to his son and present head priest Rangarajan.

Devotees recalled his dedication and service to the temple and also the way he fought with the governments over their control on temples.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over his demise, recalling that the late priest had earned a distinguished reputation as an academic and also spiritual recognition to the Balaji temple. Mr. Reddy conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family members and his well-wishers.

AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also condoled the death and said the late priest played a key role in highlighting the need for independence of temples.

Mr. Soundar Rajan was a professor of Commerce in Osmania University, who also worked as the Registrar of the University. He was against the Hundi concept at the temple and ensured the Hundi at Chilkur Balaji temple was removed.

He encouraged people to spend their monetary offering by subscribing to the spiritual magazines brought out by the temple. He never allowed VIP queues or quota systems at the temple, and everyone had to use the same queue to pray to the Lord.