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CHENNAI, INDIA, July 27, 2004: The ongoing demolition work in Tirumala, as part of the works to construct a mahapraharam (large enclosed courtyard) has come in for criticism from Vaishnavites throughout the country and efforts are on by Vaishnavite acharyas to consolidate the support in a bid to halt the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) move. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Sri Vadhikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jeeyar of Kancheepuram, said the TTD has been going ahead with the destruction of heritage monuments in Tirumala despite a stay by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The devotees of Lord Venkateswara in Hyderabad obtained the stay order recently against demolition of the Periya Jeeyar Mutt in Tirumala but the Devasathanam authorities are blasting the entire area surrounding the Mutt using powerful grenades which would ultimately result in the collapse of the Periya Jeeyar Mutt.



Strongly condemning the demolition of the centuries-old 1,000-pillar mandapam in front of the temple and several historical monuments surrounding the temple, the Jeeyar said the Periya Jeeyar Mutt was built based on Agama Sastras and any displacement of it would have an adverse effect on the Vasthu of the temple. The whole exercise of the TTD seems to be borne out of the problem of plenty and the authorities were acting in this manner only to spend the US$320 million wealth of the temple.



Thirugostiyur Madhavan, treasurer, Divya Desa Parampariya Padhukappu Peravai, said the TTD instead of destroying heritage monuments in the name of constructing the mahapraharam, could spend the amount to renovate temples with meagre income and adopt schools throughout India to upgrade facilities.



Endorsing this view, the Jeeyar said what you require is not money but protection of Tirumala.



Recently in a single day, 46 grenades were blasted in Tirumala giving the impression that a small Kargil war was going on. This would have an adverse impact on the main shrine and the icon of Lord Venkateswara, he added.



Asked what might be the motive behind the actions of the TTD despite severe criticism, a devotee from Hyderabad who was also present at the press meet, said it seems the authorities have understood that they had embarked on a misadventure. “What is now preventing them from stopping the works was nothing but white collar egoism, which does not allow them from accepting in public what they have been doing as wrong,” he said.

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