Avakaya to get into Annadanam menu

Andhra’s famous pickles including Avakaya (hot mango pickle) will be part of the menu in the free food served to devotees in Tirumala soon.

The TTD Trust Board decided to serve at least one variety of pickle every day during the ongoing Brahmotsavam. For the time being, the TTD will buy pickles from outside and will make arrangements to produce pickles on its own shortly.

Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, the TTD Trust Board chairman, Mr Kanumuri Bapiraju, said that the decision to make pickles part of the menu of Annadanam was one among several resolutions passed during the board meeting held on Wednesday.

Mr Bapiraju said that they had stored 6.30 lakh laddus to prevent shortage during the Brahmotsavam and plans were afoot to produce four lakh laddus every day.

He explained details of the board resolutions to media persons.

According to Mr Bapiraju, a physiotherapy unit will be established at BIRRD hospital run by the TTD at Tirupati apart from a nephrology wing at SVIMS at an estimated cost of Rs.3.5 crore.

Risk allowance being paid to those carrying the vahanams of the Lord has been enhanced from Rs.300 to Rs.1,000.

A committee headed by endowment commissioner, Mr Balaramaiah, has been formed to ensure the quality of prasadams. Board members, Mr Suryaprakasa Rao, Mr Muthyam Reddy and Ms Rajeswari Devi, have been posted as members in the committee.

A committee with engineers has been formed to supervise purchases and another committee headed by Mr Balaramaiah was proposed to address the grievances of TTD employees.

The 10th round of Govinda Kalyanam will be held on October 9 at Ahobilam in Kurnool district.

The TTD has fixed room tariff for the newly built Vishnu Nivas between Rs.300 and Rs.1,300 and priority will be given to poor and middle class in the allotment of rooms.