TTD executive officer Ravichandra takes charge as head of the authority now running Tirumala in place of the trust board
A three-member panel of IAS officers will exercise all the trust board's powers for up to a year, or until a new board is named.
- The Hindu
- The South First
Muddada Ravichandra, Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), assumed charge as Chairman of the TTD Specified Authority on Friday, 6 November. TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch.
Venkaiah Chowdary administered the oath at the Bangaru Vākili of the Śrīvāri temple in Tirumala, The Hindu reported. The Andhra Pradesh government set up the authority on 2 November through G.O.Ms.No.658 of the Revenue (Endowments) Department.
It did so after the term of the trust board appointed in November 2024 ended. Finance Secretary V. Vinay Chand and Revenue (Endowments) Secretary K. Kanna Babu are its other two members.
The order was issued under Section 137 of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987. The authority will exercise all the powers of the TTD Board of Trustees.
Its term is one year, or until a new board is constituted, whichever is earlier. Mr. Ravichandra thanked the State government and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
He named better pilgrim amenities for a smooth darśan as his first priority. He also promised attention to all 64 temples run by TTD, its schools and colleges, and its hospitals.
He said TTD would carry its religious and spiritual activities forward alongside this welfare work.
Key data
G.O.Ms.No.658 dated 2 Nov 2026; 3-member authority; term up to 1 year; Section 137 of the AP Endowments Act, 1987; 64 temples administered by TTD; previous board appointed by G.O.Ms.No.243 of 1 Nov 2024.
Why it matters
TTD runs one of India's most visited shrines and a large network of temples, schools and hospitals. Until a new board is named, decisions on darśan, rituals and finances rest with this official panel.
GK: did you know?
TTD was constituted under the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Act of 1932, passed by the Madras Legislature. Lord Veṅkaṭeśvara is worshipped at Tirumala atop the Seshachalam hills.
