(Minghui.org) The 17th Tirupati Book Festival was held from February 1 to 9, 2025, at TTD’s Vinayaka Nagar Quarters Playground. The event drew thousands of people eager to explore literature, ideas, and new perspectives. Tirupati is renowned as one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. The city draws millions of devotees every year to the famous Sri Venkateswara Temple.

Falun Dafa practitioners from Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore participated in the festival as one of the vendors. They introduced the books of Falun Dafa and the principles and exercises of the practice and told people about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing persecution in China.

Falun Dafa Inspires Positive Change

Many visitors stopped by the Falun Dafa stall, eager to learn about the ancient practice of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Sai Narasimha said he was deeply touched by Falun Dafa’s universal principles, “This is applicable to every human being. People who follow truth will naturally follow non-violence.”

Sai Narasimha was deeply touched by Falun Dafa’s universal principles.

Another visitor, who carefully read the flyer, said, “This practice is beneficial for both mind and body. The flyer is very informative. Some people support good, while others support bad—but goodness will always be rewarded.”

A visitor reads a flyer about Falun Dafa.

After listening to a practitioner’s detailed explanation of Falun Dafa, another man said he found the practice profound and meaningful. “I feel this will be helpful for people suffering mentally and physically. This is truly good,” he said.

A visitor said Falun Dafa is profound and meaningful.

Wishing to Learn Falun Dafa

Many visitors purchased Falun Dafa’s main book, Zhuan Falun, and said they were interested in learning how to practice.

Subramaniya Rao purchases Falun Dafa books.Geeta Lakshmi and Padma Priya buy a copy of Zhuan Falun.

After hearing about Falun Dafa and its benefits, a young woman purchased a Telugu language edition of Zhuan Falun, and said she was eager to begin her journey of cultivation.

A young visitor purchases the Telugu edition of Zhuan Falun.

Support for Practitioners Countering the CCP’s Persecution

Falun Dafa practitioners also told people about the CCP’s persecution, which began in 1999 and eventually extended to forced organ harvesting. Many festivalgoers expressed their sympathy and indignation, and voiced their support for practitioners.

Among them was Sushmita, a 20-year-old from a nearby stall, who picked up a copy of Minghui Weekly. After reading about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China, she was shocked and deeply disturbed. “It’s horrific to know this is happening in the modern age. It’s hard to believe such persecution exists,” she said.

Sushmita was shocked when she heard about ongoing persecution in China.

Another visitor, Mahathi Padma, reacted with anger to hear about the forced organ harvesting and human rights abuses in China. “Atrocities should not be committed by the Chinese Communist Party. This crime must be punished. If someone did the same to them, would they tolerate it?” she asked, emphasizing her desire for justice and equality for all people.

Mahathi hope people in China have justice and equality one day.

A neighboring stall manager said, “Such cruelty should never happen. These atrocities must be stopped immediately.”

A stall manager condemned the persecution in China

After learning about the persecution, many visitors signed the practitioners’ petition calling for an end to the persecution in China. They expressed their support for human rights and justice.