Non-Hindu pilgrims visiting the Tirumala shrine will have to sign a declaration form stating that he or she has faith in Hinduism. The rule, which has been made mandatory by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), will come into effect from August 13, said TTD joint executive officer K.S. Srinivasa Raju.
Addressing a press meet at Tirumala on Tuesday, Mr Raju said that as per the GO MS No. 311 of revenue endowments-1, Rule No. 136, non-Hindus who had faith in Lord Venkateswara used to sign the declaration at the Vaikuntham Queue Complex stating that he or she had faith in Hinduism.
Now, keeping the convenience of pilgrims in mind, the TTD has decided to keep the declaration registers at the JEO’s office, the Peishk-ar Office and at all sub-enquiry offices in Tirumala. He added that the forms, in triplicate, will be available in all the offices and the pilgrim will be given one copy, one will be forwarded to the Arjitham office and the third will remain in the office.