Andhra Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan prays at Tirumala temple, concludes his 11-day atonement deeksha

Mr. Kalyan is on a three-day visit to the temple as part of his 11-day penance to atone for the alleged sins committed by the previous YSRCP regime at Tirumala

Andhra Pradesh Dy CM Pawan Kalyan also signed the declaration form on behalf his daughter. People belonging to alien faith (other than Hindus) have to mandatorily give a declaration and sign a form that they have faith in Lord Venkateswara ahead of entering into the temple. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) offered prayers at the temple of Lord Venkateswara here, marking the conclusion of his 11-day ‘prayaschitta deeksha’ (atonement vow).

Mr. Pawan Kalyan had taken the deeksha to “uphold and protect Sanatana Hindu Dharma and seek atonement for the alleged adulteration of ghee used in the making of the laddu prasadam” at the temple by the previous YSRCP government.

He visited the temple accompanied by his two daughters Aadya Konidela and Polena Anjana Pawanova. The authorities extended him a traditional reception on his arrival at the ‘Mahadwaram’ (main entrance) and led him into the sanctum sanctorum, where he worshipped the presiding deity.

The Jana Sena Party chief also placed the ‘Varahi Declaration’ book he carried along with him into the temple at the feet of the deity. He is likely to announce its contents at a meeting in Tirupati on Thursday.

The priests rendered ‘Vedasirvachanams’ on Mr. Pawan Kalyan and his family, while the authorities presented him with an image of the deity and the sacred prasadam.

Soon after darshan, the Deputy Chief Minister visited the TTD’s Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Nitya Annadanam Complex, and joined the common devotees in the partaking of the free meal served there.

He enquired with the authorities about the way the food was prepared to such a vast magnitude of devotees, the corpus fund for the scheme and other services extended to the pilgrims.

Earlier, Mr. Pawan Kalyan ensured that Ms. Polena Anjana Pawanova, the daughter of his third wife Anna Lezhneva, completed the declaration formalities in line with the temple regulations. He too signed the form as his daughter was a minor.

Non-Hindu pilgrims have to mandatorily sign the declaration form stating that they have faith in Lord Venkateswara ahead of entering the temple.

The authorities took the signatures on the declaration form at the guest house he was staying put since the previous night.

JSP MLC Pidugu Hariprasad, Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu, noted film director Trivikram Srinivas and art director Anand Sai were prominent among others who accompanied Mr. Pawan Kalyan.

BJP leaders and several Hindu outfits had demanded that YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, a Christian, should sign the declaration before his recent cancelled visit to the temple.