Naidu Prays at Venkateswara Shrine by Going Through Common Queue

Tirupati (AP), Sep 24 (PTI): Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday had darshan of Lord Venkteswara at nearby Tirumala by entering the shrine through the queue complex for common devotees, though he is entitled to do so through the 'Mahadwaram', meant for select VIPs.

"It gives me happiness to go for swamy darshan in Vaikuntam queue complex though supposed to go for darshan from 'mahadwaram' as vice President. All are equal and ordinary before him, Naidu said in a serios of tweets in Telugu.

he said he prayed to God "for the prosperity of the country and to make people happy".

The vice president said the darshan would be much easier if public representatives and prominent persons reduced their visits to the shrine

An ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara,Naidu arrived here Monday evening after inaugurating the Indian Culinary Institute, built by the Ministry of Tourism at a cost of Rs 100 crore, near Renigunta airport, 15 km from here.

After an overnight stay on the hills, he visited the shrine at the crack of dawn and spent about 20 minutes in the temple, temple sources told PTI.

On his arrival, he was accorded a warm welcome and taken to the sanctum sanctorum by priests and officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that governs the ancient shrine.

Before leaving Tirupati, the vice president also took part in some local programmes.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami offered prayers at the hill abode Tuesday.

Palaniswami took part in the 'Astadala Paadapadmaradhan' ritual conducted for the presiding deity atthe sanctum sanctorum this morning, a temple official said.

During his stay, Palaniswami also called on Naidu at the TTD guest house, the official said, adding it was a courtesy call.

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