Tirumala and the Blindfold of Sympathy: Why We Need Systemic Sight, Not Pilgrimage Photos

The Currency of Karma: When Devotion Becomes a Display

In modern-day India, especially post-COVID, there's been a swelling of donations to religious institutions—none more striking than Tirumala, where contributions have routinely crossed ₹1,000 crore each year. It paints a picture of faith returning stronger, but beneath it lies a layered truth: is this an outpouring of devotion or a deep-pocketed transaction for status, access, and visibility?

💰Donating for Darshan or for Distinction?

We see temples and churches built overnight, villages adopted like PR campaigns, education sponsored with loud applause—but who truly benefits? Is this for the poor, or for the powerful? For God, or for Google rankings?

The gesture often masks intention. Behind a school built in a rural village, there's often a politician's photo op. Behind free notebooks, a branding exercise. Behind the temple tower, the tower of ambition.

“I’m adopting a village.”
“I’m sponsoring a hundred children's education.”
“I’m taking the blind to Tirumala.”

These aren’t statements of service anymore. They’ve become slogans of self-promotion. Tools to earn recognition, invitations, and influence. To be seen as a kingmaker in political circles. To be kept indispensable by keeping others dependent.

This has to stop.

🧑‍🦯 Blind to Their Needs

Let’s take the case of bringing visually impaired people to Tirumala. Are we connecting them to Balaji—or are we parading their suffering for spiritual theatre? If you truly care for the blind, open their eyes with surgery. Offer them skill training. Help them earn. Educate them. Empower them.

Don’t give biryani and clothes one day and leave them begging the next. Help them stand on their own. Then one day they’ll go to Tirumala and pray—not just for their future, but maybe for yours too.

That is dignity. That is devotion.

From Performance to Purpose

India needs reform-minded philanthropy. Service without strings. Generosity without grandstanding.

• Don’t sponsor education so kids praise your name.
• Don’t adopt villages so cameras follow you.
• Don’t build temples so you can negotiate power with politicians.

Instead, build minds. Build systems. Build freedom.

Let people walk without your hand. Let them rise without your shadow.

Faith Without Accountability Is Folklore

We must challenge this performative culture of giving. Because real charity doesn’t need a witness—it needs impact. And if your giving keeps someone weak, poor, and grateful—that’s not charity. That’s control.

Let’s dismantle the illusion. Let’s stop buying divine influence and start building human capacity. Don’t just take the blind to Balaji. Take them to a future where they see their worth.