TTD Board approves Rs 2.3 lakh jewellery loss write-off
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam(TTD)
The decision followed the annual physical verification of gold, silver and diamond ornaments in 81 TTD-managed temples
Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board has approved writing off a cumulative loss of about Rs 2.3 lakh in the value of temple jewellery recorded during the annual physical verification for 2024-25 financial year, treating it as a routine consequence of regular use of ornaments in temple rituals and festivals.
The decision was taken after the board reviewed annual verification report covering gold, silver and diamond ornaments belonging to 81 temples administered by TTD across the country. The board accepted the findings and permitted the diminished value to be recorded in Devasthanams’ accounts.
According to TTD, the reduction in value is a normal occurrence as temple ornaments are adorned to the presiding and processional deities every day and during major religious events, including annual Brahmotsavams and other festivals. The board noted that such wear and tear is an operational loss arising from continuous ceremonial use and not due to any lapse in safeguarding temple assets.
As mandated under TTD Rules issued by the State government, every temple under the Devasthanams undergoes a detailed physical verification of its jewellery once a year. T
he exercise is conducted in the presence of registered valuers empanelled by Income Tax department, representatives of State Audit Department and a pilgrim witness to ensure transparency. The valuers certify any reduction in the weight or value of ornaments before the report is placed before the Trust Board.
The verification for 2024 25 found that the cumulative wear and tear loss across all 81 temples stood at about Rs 2.3 lakh. The Tirumala temple accounted for the highest reduction at Rs 1.51 lakh, followed by Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple at Tiruchanoor with Rs 29,278 and Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram with Rs 28,351.
TTD has also modernised the management of temple jewellery by replacing manual records with the digital Thiruvabharanam Management System.
The platform maintains details of every ornament, including donations, inventory, inter temple transfers, appraisal, valuation and annual verification. Ornaments that permanently adorn the presiding deities are verified separately under a special procedure in the presence of senior TTD officials and technical experts.
Explaining the practice, TTD said that every instance of wear and tear certified by registered valuers is entered into the electronic records only after obtaining the approval of the Trust Board, ensuring that the inventory remains fully reconciled and documented.
