The former chief priest of the renown Chilkur Balaji Temple, M V Soundararajan (90), passed away today at his residence in Chilkur, Ranga Reddy district, due to age-related ailments.
He is survived by his sons, including the current chief priest, C S Rangarajan.
Soundararajan had served the temple for several decades. Apart from continuing his family's priestly tradition, he was also academically accomplished - a commerce lecturer by profession, he rose to become Registrar of Osmania University.
Soundararajan was widely respected for championing temple autonomy and upholding the unique practice of darsanam without hundi collections or VIP privileges. His message to devotees - "See the Lord with your eyes open, not closed" - became a guiding principle for many.
Priests and devotees expressed deep sorrow over his demise and prayed for strength for the bereaved family. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, through his account on X, expressed grief over the priest's passing and conveyed his condolences to the family.