Interesting article on TTD temple.

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Article from the DailyPioneer dated July 2nd 2003....

 

Can also be found using the link

 

http://www.dailypioneer.com/archives2/default12.asp?

main_variable=front%5Fpage & file_name=story5%

2Etxt & counter_img=5 & phy_path_it=E%3A%5Cdailypioneer%5Carchives2%

5Cjul203

 

Armour of God: Tirumala priests will learn karate

 

In a novel move to curb any intrusion into the sanctum sanctorum of

one of the holiest Hindu temples - the Tirumala temple - the

authorities have decided to impart martial arts training to the

priests. Dr S Subramanian, security advisor to the Andhra Pradesh

Government, told The Pioneer that a priest of a famous temple in

Chennai, who is also a Black Belt in karate, has been identified to

train the Tirumala priests.

Dr Subramanian, better known as the founder of the Special Protection

Group for VVIP Security, said that K Seshadari of the Ashtalakshmi

Temple at Chennai has been found suitable for this job as he is a

priest and thus more acceptable to the other priests than a non-

religious person.

Dr Subramanian, however, clarified that this unusual step had nothing

to do with any terrorist threat but had more to do with preventing

entry to the sanctum sanctorum where no one except the priests are

allowed. " Despite being a religious Brahmin, I also cannot enter the

sanctum sanctorum under the religious code of conduct of the temple, "

he said. Recalling a couple of incidents in which two frenzied

devotees had tried to rush in to the sanctum sanctorum, Dr

Subramanian said that it had necessitated imparting training to the

priests to handle such persons and disarm them, if required.

Similarly, he said, if a mentally demented persons spoils the place

by throwing a piece of meat, it can cause a great deal of problems

and the temple will have to be closed for 10 to 12 days for Shuddhi

(cleansing ritual). " We cannot deploy an armed security guard there

and it is thus necessary to equip the priests with such skills, " he

said.

Seshadri is yet to start the training as some more administrative

clearances are required for him to move in. On a possible terrorist

threat to the temple, Dr. Subramanian said that the problem has

already been taken care of by making special security arrangements

and deploying trained security men