Four powerful priest families of Tirupati Balaji, ruling since generations, their salary and facilities

Tirupati Balaji: Since centuries, religious management of Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple has been done by four priest families. Though the rituals that go on in the temple from early morning, till evening are done by the people of these families. Although this temple has a total staff of 58 priests, but 23 priest families are appointed here by tradition. It is believed that these priest families are themselves quite rich.

Why these families are the richest families of Tirupati

While It cannot be said with certainty but it is believed that they always get a share in the total earnings of TTD. Not only this, the people of these four families also hold influential positions within TTD. Their assets are estimated to be in crores. These people live in great style. Secondly, they also have a lot of influence and power. They have direct access to the Chief Minister.

Key details of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple

TTD  Trust has a total staff of 16,000 people for all the work

Temple has 23 priests from four hereditary priest families, the real religious power of the temple is in their hands.

There are 35 non-hereditary priests in the temple.

How much salary of priests

Head priest of the temple is hereditary, who is called Pradhan Archak, his monthly salary is around 82000 rupees, along with separate facilities

Other head priests are also hereditary, who get a salary of 52,000 rupees every month, allowances separately, although the amount of these is not disclosed

Some hereditary priests are also given a very large amount once for their services, like Ramanna Dikshitulu was given 30 lakh rupees in return for his services.

Allowances and facilities

Priests get houses to live in. Although there is no rule for this

All priests get many types of allowances in addition to salary, but concrete information is not available about them

TTD bears the health expenses of all priests and their families, although TTD also has its own very modern hospital.

TTD priests also get leave

The retirement plan has been implemented here from 2018. The priest retires at the age of 65. However, when this matter went to the court, the state government removed it. Because the hereditary priests argue that their post is lifelong, so there is no compulsion of retirement in it. But this facility is not available to non-hereditary priests. However, the case is going on in the court in this matter.

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Chief priest of the temple at present

Meanwhile the main priest of Tirupati temple is A Venugopal Dikshitulu, who belongs to the Gollapalli hereditary family. He became the chief priest in 2018.