TTD Proposes Renaming Renigunta Airport to Sri Venkateswara International Airport: Spiritual and Infrastructure Initiatives Unveiled
Tirupati, June 18: In a significant move to align infrastructure with spiritual heritage, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has proposed renaming the Renigunta Airport as Sri Venkateswara International Airport. The proposal, aimed at honoring Lord Venkateswara, has been formally submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, according to TTD Chairman Bhuma Reddy Naidu.
"A proposal has been made to rename Renigunta airport after Lord Sri Venkateswara. The airport will reflect Tirumala's divine aesthetics," said Naidu at a press conference on Wednesday, June 18.
This renaming initiative is part of a broader plan to spiritualize the travel experience for devotees visiting Tirumala and transform the airport into a gateway that resonates with devotion and serenity.
A Spiritual Touch to Travel: Proposed Airport Redesign
As per TTD's vision, the redesign of Renigunta Airport will include spiritual motifs, divine sculptures, and design elements that reflect the sacred character of Tirumala, one of India's most revered pilgrimage destinations. TTD officials hinted at introducing devotional music, murals of mythological scenes, and eco-friendly structures to create an immersive spiritual experience for travelers.
The current Renigunta Airport serves as the primary air connectivity point for devotees visiting Tirumala, and the renaming will be a symbolic step in solidifying its spiritual identity.
TTD Plans Srivari Temple in Bengaluru
Alongside the airport renaming, TTD has revealed its intentions to construct a Srivari temple in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. The plan is currently awaiting land allotment from the Karnataka government. This temple is expected to serve the spiritual needs of devotees in and around Bengaluru while extending TTD's religious presence across southern India.
100 Electric Buses for Green Mobility in Tirumala
In an effort to promote sustainable transportation, Union Minister for Heavy Industries Kumara Swamy has assured TTD of 100 electric buses. These will be deployed in the Tirumala-Tirupati region to reduce pollution and improve the mobility of pilgrims, especially within the sacred hills.
"The electric buses are expected to arrive soon and will significantly contribute to eco-friendly pilgrimage management," Naidu said.
This initiative aligns with TTD's growing focus on green energy and environment-conscious infrastructure.
Scientific Oversight on Temple Offerings
TTD also announced that it would establish a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratory in Tirupati to ensure quality control in temple offerings. This includes testing the purity of ghee, quality of water, and safety of food items used in the daily rituals and offerings made at the Sri Venkateswara Temple.
The lab will function under CSIR standards and will uphold the sanctity and quality expected of prasadam and other offerings, ensuring that only the best reaches the devotees.
Modernising Sri Venkateswara College in Delhi
TTD’s educational arm will also focus on modernising the 73-year-old Sri Venkateswara College in New Delhi. A three-member committee, chaired by Bhuma Reddy Naidu himself, will address existing concerns raised by 200 contract lecturers and oversee recruitment procedures for permanent faculty.
The upgrade will include infrastructure improvements, curriculum enhancements, and greater autonomy to ensure that the college remains a premier institution for higher education.
TTD’s Expanding Religious and Social Outreach
In addition to infrastructure and educational upgrades, TTD is expanding its Dharmic (religious) initiatives aimed at reaching broader social groups and promoting spiritual values.
Key Religious and Social Programs:
- Priesthood Training for Marginalized Groups: Aimed at providing priesthood education to socially disadvantaged communities.
- Sadgamaya: A value education initiative for school and college students.
- Saubhagyam: A program focused on women empowerment and religious observance through Varalakshmi Vratam.
- Akshara Govindam: Designed for early childhood spiritual education.
- Harikatha Vaibhavam: Reviving the traditional art of Harikatha storytelling.
- Sanmargam: Outreach program for prison inmates to promote positive change through spirituality.
- Giri Janardhanam: Focused on spiritual and educational upliftment of tribal communities.
- Vana-Nidhi: An innovative campaign combining environmental conservation with spiritual awareness.
These programs reflect TTD’s commitment to inclusive spirituality and its broader mission of community upliftment.
Background: Tirumala and TTD’s Role
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) manages the world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. Visited by millions annually, the temple is one of the wealthiest and most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites globally. TTD not only manages temple rituals but also operates hospitals, schools, guest houses, and various public welfare services.
Renigunta Airport, located about 15 km from Tirupati, is the primary entry point for air travelers visiting the temple. A renaming would reinforce the spiritual identity of the region and integrate better with TTD’s vision of turning Tirumala into a globally recognized religious and cultural hub.
Reader Takeaway
The proposal to rename Renigunta Airport as Sri Venkateswara International Airport is more than a symbolic gesture. It reflects TTD's long-term vision of intertwining spiritual identity with modern infrastructure. With green transport, religious outreach, scientific scrutiny of offerings, and educational reform, the temple body is poised to elevate both the spiritual and civic experiences of devotees and residents alike.
As the Ministry of Civil Aviation reviews the renaming request, and with multiple initiatives in motion, TTD continues to reshape the narrative of faith, service, and sustainability in India.
Stay tuned with TheTrendingPeople.com for more updates on this developing story.