Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has pledged full support for the Sri Venkateswara Temple project in Auckland, following a meeting with Indra and Manasa Sirigiri. He assured collaboration with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and welcomed the initiative as a source of pride for the global Telugu community. The Temple, planned in Ramarama, South Auckland, will serve as a spiritual and cultural sanctuary. Mr Naidu also accepted an invitation to visit Auckland and witness the community’s devotion and preparations firsthand.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has assured his full support for the construction of a Sri Venkateswara Temple in Auckland, New Zealand.
The commitment was made during a cordial meeting with Indra Sirigiri, Chairman of the Sri Venkateswara Devasthanam Charitable Trust, and his wife Manasa Sirigiri, held at the Chief Minister’s Complex in Velagapudi, Guntur district, on Monday, 22 September 2025.
The Sirigiris, who have been at the forefront of efforts to establish a Temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara in South Auckland, briefed Mr Naidu on the progress made thus far. They shared details of the land acquired in Ramarama, the Resource Consent process, and the regulatory challenges that accompanied such a significant undertaking.
Mr Sirigiri told Indian Newslink that Mr Naidu welcomed the initiative and assured that his government, in collaboration with key agencies, including the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), would extend the necessary assistance to the Temple Project.
Pride of the Telugu Community
The meeting was marked by shared purpose as Mr and Mrs Sirigiri extended a formal invitation to Mr Naidu to visit Auckland and witness firsthand the community’s devotion and preparations.
Mr Naidu reportedly accepted the invitation and indicated that his travel plans would be communicated in due course.
“The establishment of a Sri Venkateswara Temple in Auckland is a matter of pride for all Telugus and devotees of Lord Venkateswara around the world. We will ensure that the TTD and other organisations lend their support, both in guidance and resources, to make this Temple a reality. I also look forward to meeting our people in New Zealand,” Mr Naidu said.
During their eight-week visit to India, the Sirigiris met with a number of influential leaders, spiritual heads, and administrative officials across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
One of the most consequential meetings during the Sirigiris’ visit was with Sthapathy D V N Prasad, Chief Architect of many Temples and the visionary behind the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad. They have also held extensive discussions with officials of the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD), Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chaudary, former Executive Officer J Syamala Rao, Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad Secretary Sreeram Raghunath, and TTD Board Member Nannuri Narsi Reddy. In Hyderabad, Mr Sirigiri also met Religious Leader Chinna Jeeyar Swami, whose guidance is revered across the Vaishnavite tradition.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu examines architectural plans of the proposed Lord Venkateshwara Temple in South Auckland with Indra Sirigiri (right) and Manasa Sirigiri (left) at his office complex in Vijayawada on Monday, 22 September 2025. (Photo Supplied)
A Spiritual and Cultural Sanctuary
The proposed Temple in Ramarama is envisioned as a spiritual and cultural sanctuary for devotees of Lord Venkateswara in New Zealand and the wider Pacific region. It will serve not only as a place of worship but also as a centre for dharmic education, community service, and cultural celebration. The Temple’s design will reflect the architectural grandeur of Tirumala, while embracing the multicultural ethos of Aotearoa.
For many in the Indian and South Asian communities of New Zealand, the Temple represents a long-cherished dream, a sacred space where generations can gather, pray, and celebrate their heritage. It promises to be a beacon of unity, drawing devotees from diverse backgrounds and fostering interfaith harmony through shared values of compassion, service, and devotion.
With Mr Naidu’s endorsement and the unwavering commitment of the Sirigiris and their Trust, the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Auckland is poised to become a landmark of spiritual resonance and cultural pride. It stands as a testament to the enduring ties between India and New Zealand, and to the power of faith to transcend borders.
Naidu Champions Global Presence of the Lord
Mr Naidu announced an ambitious initiative to support the construction of Lord Venkateswara Temples across the globe.
Speaking from the sacred precincts of Tirumala during the annual Brahmotsavams on July 22, 2025, he called upon the TTD to spearhead the construction of 5000 Temples in Andhra Pradesh, every Indian State Capital, and in regions abroad where the Telugu Diaspora has taken root.
“Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temples should be constructed in all states, and we must ensure that the divine glory of Lord Venkateswara reaches every corner of the world,” he said.
According to him, this vision is not confined to architectural expansion but is rooted in Dharma Pracharam or the propagation of Sanatana Dharma. Mr Naidu urged the TTD to establish local committees in each region to oversee Temple construction and to link these new centres of worship to the spiritual legacy of Tirumala.
In doing so, he seeks to create a network of sanctuaries that not only serve as places of devotion but also as cultural anchors for Telugu communities abroad.
The Corpus Fund
Integral to this expansive vision is the utilisation of the Sri Venkateswara Aalayala Nirmanam (Srivani) Trust, a Corpus Fund established to support the construction of new Temples, particularly in SC/ST/OBC colonies where religious conversions have been more prevalent.
Mr Naidu revealed that the Trust has received thus far ₹2038 Crore ($407.6 million), with ₹ 837 Crore ($167.4 million) already channelled into Temple construction. “For this mighty activity, donors should come forward with their largesse,” he said, appealing to philanthropists and devotees alike to contribute to the sacred cause.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of Annadanam, the tradition of offering free meals to devotees, which he described as a cornerstone of Tirumala’s spiritual hospitality. Modelled on the original programme launched by the late N T Rama Rao, the Annadanam initiative now operates with a corpus of ₹2283 Crore ($456.6 million), generating ₹14 Crore ($2.8 million) in annual interest and serving meals worth ₹12 crore ($2.4 million) every month.
Mr Naidu has directed the TTD to replicate this model in every Temple under its administration, ensuring that the spirit of service remains central to the Temple experience.
Reaffirmation of Identity
Beyond the material and logistical aspects, Mr Naidu’s announcement carries profound cultural resonance. The construction of Sri Venkateswara Temples abroad is not merely an act of religious outreach; it is a reaffirmation of identity, a spiritual lifeline for communities navigating the complexities of migration and modernity. In cities where Temples often serve as the nucleus of cultural life, this initiative promises to deepen the bonds of heritage and faith.
Already, the TTD has demonstrated its capacity for such endeavours, having established Balaji Temples in locations outside Andhra Pradesh, including Jammu, where a Temple was inaugurated in 2023. The global expansion now envisioned by Mr Naidu builds upon this foundation, aiming to create sanctuaries that are both spiritually authentic and culturally inclusive.
In an age where cultural preservation often contends with the forces of assimilation, Mr Naidu’s initiative stands as a bold affirmation of faith and identity. It invites the global Telugu community to participate in a collective act of devotion, to build not just Temples of stone, but sanctuaries of spirit.
As the Srivani Trust continues to gather momentum and the TTD prepares to operationalise this vast undertaking, the world may soon witness the rise of Sri Venkateswara Temples in distant lands across the Continents.
“Let the divine glory of Lord Venkateswara illuminate every land where our people dwell. Let these Temples be beacons of dharma, unity, and grace,” Mr Naidu said.
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