TTD to leverage VR, AR to highlight local, affiliated temples

Officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams have been advised to explore the use of Virtual Reality to present the significance of TTD local and affiliated temples to devotees. TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal instructed that the services and rituals of these temples should be widely publicised through electronic media.

Addressing a review meeting with senior officials at the TTD Administrative Building in Tirupati on Saturday, Mr. Singhal said that Augmented Reality technology could also be considered to effectively convey the significance, architectural beauty and other important aspects of the local and affiliated temples. He asked officials to examine the feasibility of developing a dedicated mobile application, through which temple sculptures and images could be scanned on mobile phones to display their mythological and historical importance using advanced technology.

The Executive Officer also suggested studying the feasibility of launching an additional channel under SVBC, if required, to showcase the uniqueness and importance of TTD local and affiliated temples, on the lines of the telecast of rituals of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala on the SVBC channel.

Mr. Singhal directed that special officers be appointed to improve facilities for devotees at TTD local and affiliated temples. These officers should make frequent visits and submit reports on developmental works. In line with the directions of the Chief Minister, he instructed that annadanam be distributed at all TTD temples. Each temple should maintain a general account and a separate account for annadanam, both of which should be periodically reviewed by the special officers, while existing annaprasadam accounts would continue.

For the convenience of devotees, officials were asked to coordinate with the TTD CVSO on queue management, CCTV surveillance and related arrangements. The Executive Officer further instructed officials to take planned action to ensure timely performance of rituals, Vahana Sevas and major festivals with advance planning, besides providing medical services, deploying Srivari Sevaks, maintaining cleanliness of Pushkarinis, proper budgeting, effective waste management and adequate sanitation facilities.