Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu arrives in Tirumala on March 20 as part of his two-day visit to the holy shrine | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Despite having the privilege of VVIP Maha Dwara Darsanam, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu has decided to have darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala via the Front Complex on Saturday (March 21, 2026) along with his family on the occasion of his grandson Devaansh’s birthday.
As he had done in the past, Mr. Naidu set aside protocols and went for darshan along with devotees across the front compound, according to an official report, which said the CM often expressed his debt to the Lord of the Seven Hills, his Ilavelpa, for saving him in the Alipiri bomb blast.
He considered surviving the attack as a rebirth and attributed it to his family’s immense faith in the Lord, which is why he had darshan along with ordinary devotees whom he considered equal before God.
Except for the formal presentation of Pattu Vastrams (silk clothes) during Brahmotsavams, Mr. Naidu visited the shrine with his family through a regular queue system, which allows him to see first-hand the amenities provided to devotees.
On the occasion of Devaansh’s birthday, Mr. Naidu’s family donated ₹ 44 lakh to the Tarigonda Vengamamba Annadanam Trust.
After Darshan, the family members walked all the way from the temple to the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasada complex and served food to the devotees.
Mr. Naidu and his son and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh personally walked down the aisle to serve food to the devotees seated for breakfast.
Earlier, Mr. Naidu went to the jubilant devotees and shook hands with some, keeping aside the security protocol. Devotees also conveyed their birthday wishes to Devaansh.
Published – 21 March 2026 09:09 IST
