SRI MG GOPAL TAKES OVER CHARGE AS NEW TTD EO

TIRUMALA, JULY 6: Sri Mukkamala Giridhara Gopal assumed office as the 23^rd Executive Officer of the world famous Hindu Religious Organisation of Tirumala Tirumala Devasthanams (TTD) which administers the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara on Saturday.

Earlier the outgoing Executive Officer Sri LV Subramanyam handed over the charges to Sri MG Gopal in Ranganayakula Mandapam during wee hours at 4.14am after having darshan of Lord Venkateswara.

Later the Joint Executive Officer of Tirumala, Mr. K. S. Sreenivasa Raju has administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sri MG Gopal in front of presiding deity. After taking over the charges as the Executive Officer and ex-officio board member of TTD Trust board, Sri MG Gopal along with his family members was rendered Veda Asirvachanam by Vedic Pundits in Ranganayakula Mandapam.

Tirumala JEO Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju, Tirupati JEO Sri P Venkatrami Reddy, CVSO Sri GVG Ashok Kumar presented Lord’s Prasadams, lamination photo and spiritual books and CDs to Sri MG Gopal.

Addressing media persons outside temple, the new EO said it is a blessed opportunity to take charges as the Executive Officer of the country’s reputed Hindu religious organisation. He said TTD being the most famous Hindu Dharmic institution, the first priority is to see that all the rituals take place inside the temple without deviating Agamas. As the temple is being visited by millions of pilgrims all through the year, their safety and amenities is another important task. The protection, preservation and promotion of Hindu Dharma Prachara is another area of priority and finally he said there is a need to save the serene environs of Tirumala hills.

“I am confident that all these could be achieved with the co-operation from TTD board, employees and visiting pilgrims so that we can sustain  the grandeur of this great place for the future generations also”, he added.