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> 'Keep off Tirumala issues'

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> By Our Special Correspondent

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> HYDERABAD

> APRIL 22.

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> The Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar has asked the Kanchi

Acharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, to desist from commenting on issues

concerning Tirumala temple as he "does not belong to Srivaishnavism and

hence need not interfere with the Vaishnava traditions.''

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> Reacting sharply to the reported remarks of the Kanchi Acharya that the

Jeeyar was trying to switch the famous Tirumala shrine from the

"Vykhanasa'' to "Paancharatra'' tradition, the Jeeyar called it "absurd"

and said both the systems were like two eyes to a Vaishnavite.

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> Tirumala had traditionally been following the "Vykhanasa'' system in its

rituals since long unlike Srirangam which had been following the other

system.

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> The Jeeyar told that "the Kanchi seer has misinterpreted my statement. I

had earlier stated that traditions were being given the go-by at Tirumala

slowly. Tirumala is not an ordinary temple and the Lord of Seven Hills is a

`Swayamprakatitha swamy'. It has a hoary tradition. As followers of

`Ramanuja tatwa' the Jeeyars cannot allow the trampling of traditions. We

have a right to ensure the implementation of our own traditions as the

custodians of the temple. Please leave it to us. Hence, I am asking him

(the Kanchi seer) to stay away from my faith.''

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> He said "the Kanchi or Sringeri Peethams have no traditional or moral

jurisdiction over Tirumala as they belong to Saivism. It is not appropriate

for them to comment on my sect and its traditions.''

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> The Jeeyar was also critical of the efforts of the Andhra Pradesh

Government, particularly the Tourism Department, to "develop amenities like

ropeways'' as the sanctity of Tirumala shrine would be affected.

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> "There are already two well laid-out roads. Where is the need for a

ropeway? You (the authorities) are already unable to manage the devotees

thronging the temple. With your latest plans the whole area will become

unmanageable. I strongly oppose these plans,'' he said.

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> The Jeeyar welcomed the A.P. Government's proposal to construct more than

7,000 temples in the colonies of the weaker sections but urged the

Government to train the beneficiaries first in the rituals.

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> "Unless they are trained to take care of the temples, how will they

manage those? When I constructed a temple for dalits, I trained them in

various rituals and handed over the temple to them. Training is important

because thousands of temples are lying in ruins due to the apathy of the

Government.''

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> He questioned the motive of the Government in allocating the temples

"constituency wise'' and said "it is not your money.

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> The huge amount you plan to draw is that of the TTD. How do you ensure

that the money given will be spent for the specific purpose? Who is

responsible for deviations from the agenda if any later?''

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