The Chilkur story and a Tirumala rant

So a question was asked of me about the Chilkur temple - if there are no Hundis or entrance tickets, then how do they run the temple? Turns out there is a very simple answer to that question - a trust. Obviously running the temples takes a finite amount of money, but that money is not "made" through the temple and that's what makes this temple unique.

And that uniqueness is at a threat. Apparently the Govt. of India (or A.P.) can appropriate any temple that it sees fit. I'm guessing it's some weird bastardization of "Eminent Domain." (Or maybe it's exactly Eminent Domain!) They've cast their eyes on the Chilkur temple because of its "profitability". So they're seeking to absorb it through the Endowments Department. There're a lot of protests against this move by people who want to preserve the sanctity of this temple.

Personally I oppose this takeover. We know how "great" Tirupathi has become. You can't even breathe in the air there without bribing a hundred officials. It's no longer about God or spirituality. I am for the capitalistic idea where everything is for sale, but I draw the line at temples. I'm even opposed to the idea of buying tickets to get into temples. Stand in line like everyone else. Even "VIPs" and politicians have to stand in line like everyone else. It's shameful that I can cut in line ahead of others because I have more money. So I ask that everyone stop going to the temple at Tirumala to lower the "demand" for that temple and consequently give more incentive to everyone involved to make it a "cleaner", a more honest place.

I want there to exist more alternatives to places like Tirupathi. Places like Chilkur. Where everyone (as far as I could see) stood shoulder to shoulder in their worship of God. If we can't even achieve that, I don't see that we've made much progress as a community.