Sri Swamiji declares deadline

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Sri Swamiji declares deadline - News From The Hindu

(Chennai Edition)

 

http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/17/stories/2004061711800600.htm

 

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Stop construction of `mahapraakaaram': Jeeyar tells

TTD

 

CHENNAI, JUNE 16. The proposal to construct a

`Mahapraakaaram' around the Tirumala temple by the

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) should be given

up, Sri Tridandi Chinna Sriman Narayana Jeeyar said

here today.

 

Talking to reporters about various construction

activities taking place at the Tirumala shrine, the

Jeeyar charged the Devasthanam authorities with

following neither the `Aagama' rules prescribed by the

Acharyas nor the traditional system laid down by

predecessors.

 

Referring to claim that the proposed praakaaram was

the third, the Jeeyar pointed out that already three

praakaarams existed at the temple. The first one is

inner praakaaram known as Mukkotti Praakaaram; the

second, the Vimaana Praakaaram and the third, the

Sampangi Praakaaram. By constructing one more they are

violating the Aagama, Vaasthu and Sampradaya Sastra,

the Jeeyar said.

 

In November last, the temple authorities started

pulling down the 1,000-pillar mandapam without getting

clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India or

other Government agencies. Instead of preserving the

pillars, they were dumped unceremoniously. The

pillars, which have the images of Aazhwars, Narasimha

Swamy and other Gods, are now being used as public

convenience.

 

The TTD authorities attributed three reasons for

taking up the `Mahapraakaaram' construction — the

existing place for making Laddus is not sufficient;

adequate space is required for more people to witness

the Kalyana Utsavams and to improve security for the

shrine.

 

But, according to the Jeeyar, all the three reasons

were not valid enough to start the construction and

demolish old structures. At present, the free prasadam

offered to the devotees was prepared outside the

temple premises only. The Kalyana Utsavams are

performed after collecting fee from the devotees. "So

where is the question of following Aagama rules," he

asked. As far as security is concerned, the TTD

authorities have to demolish the houses around the

temple, which are providing better safety. So,

construction of an additional praakaaram will not

provide any protection to the temple, he said.

 

The TTD is systematically conspiring to remove all the

symbols and linkages connecting Ramanuja to the hills,

he said.

 

Already, the Jeeyar fixed June 24 as deadline for

stopping construction and demolition of new and old

structures.

 

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