TTD to open modernised SV Museum soon; Pilgrim Experience Centre set up at VQC
Tirumala, Sept 25 (TNT): The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has set up a Pilgrim Experience Centre at the Vaikuntam Queue Complex-I to make devotees’ waiting time more spiritual and informative through modern technology, TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary said on Friday.
The Healing and Devotional Centre, located in the 17th compartment of VQC-I, uses 3D and virtual reality technology to showcase the glory of Sri Venkateswara, the history of Tirumala, puranas, temple significance and other spiritual themes to devotees waiting in queues.
During a field visit organised for media representatives to the recently opened VQC Pilgrim Experience Centre and the modernised Sri Venkateswara (SV) Museum, followed by a feedback session, the Additional EO said the objective was to transform the darshan waiting period into an opportunity for spiritual enrichment and learning.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Pilgrim Experience Centre and several other development projects in Tirumala on September 16, he recalled.
Content related to virtual reality has already been developed by Durlabha Darshanam and efforts are underway to deploy it on a larger scale, he said.
The TTD plans to create and regularly screen content covering Tirumala mythology, devotees’ experiences, special features of Tirumala, temple history, construction, administration, services, puranas and donors.
A dedicated system will also be established to ensure a continuous flow of fresh content at the Experience Centre, Chowdary said.
SV Museum to open soon
The newly modernised Sri Venkateswara (SV) Museum is another major project taken up by the TTD and will open soon, the Additional EO said.
The museum has been upgraded to showcase the history and heritage of the Tirumala temple, ancient artefacts and historical objects, along with digital content.
The museum has around 14 galleries, each designed around a distinct theme linked to temple traditions and heritage.
A manual is being prepared for museum operations, covering CCTV installation, staff recruitment, guide services, security measures and unique numbering of artefacts. The museum will be operated under standard operating procedures and is expected to be opened to devotees soon, he said.
The TTD’s objective is to provide devotees with spiritual and educational experiences in addition to darshan and help enhance Tirumala as a distinctive spiritual centre, the Additional EO said.
He also welcomed suggestions from media representatives who visited the Experience Centre and SV Museum. Suggestions included increasing Telugu-language content, regularly updating content and introducing a wider variety of themes.
The suggestions would be discussed internally and necessary measures taken to improve the content and management of the Experience Centre, he said.
TTD Deputy EO Somannarayana, CPRO Dr T Ravi, VGO Surendra and other officials attended the meeting.
TNT LE
