Tirumala, April 6, 2026 – The Tirumala Nitya Annadanam (daily free‑food) scheme has completed 41 years of uninterrupted service, marking one of the most significant philanthropic traditions at Sri Venkateswara Swamy’s hill shrine. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has extended his heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the donors who have sustained this sacred service over four decades.
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Legacy of the Scheme
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The Sri Venkateswara Nitya Annadanam Endowment Scheme was launched on April 6, 1985, by the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, who inaugurated serving free meals to 2,000 pilgrims per day at the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annadana Satram complex in Tirumala.
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In 1994, the scheme was converted into an independent “Sri Venkateswara Nitya Annadanam Trust”, later renamed as the “Sri Venkateswara Annprasadam Trust” from 2014. The TTD Executive Officer serves as the Chairman of the Trust.
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Growth in Scale
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What started as a service for only 2,000 devotees daily has now scaled up to provide Annaprasadam free of cost to about 2.8 lakh (2,80,000) pilgrims every day at Tirumala.
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The Sri Venkateswara Annprasadam Trust’s corpus, built entirely from devotee‑donations, has crossed ₹2,500 Crores, ensuring long‑term sustainability for the scheme and its associated humanitarian activities.
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Extension to Other Services
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Drawing inspiration from the Nitya Annadanam success, TTD has launched “Pranadhanam Trust” (for medical support) and “Vidyardhanam Trust” (for education support), channeling aid and funds towards healthcare and education initiatives for pilgrims and needy communities.
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TTD has also committed to expand the “Annaprasadam model” to 56 TTD‑affiliated temples across India, serving free meals twice daily in the same spirit as Tirumala, starting from March 2026.
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In a social media message, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu wrote:
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“The Nitya Annadanam scheme, inaugurated by Sri N. T. Rama Rao on April 6, 1985, has now reached 2.8 lakh meals per day, upheld by the generous donors. Their support has also enabled the creation of Pranadhanam and Vidyardhanam Trusts, through which TTD delivers healthcare and educational services. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all donors who continue to make this divine mission possible.”
For donation‑details, special‑day‑annadhanam slots, and trust‑benefits, devotees can refer to TTD‑guidelines on the Venkateswara Annprasadam Trust pages and tirumalainfo‑annadhanam updates.
