S.R.Seshu
Stage has been set for the long-pending visit of the Telangana Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao to fulfill his vow of presenting gold ornaments worth Rs.5 crore to Lord Venkateswara. The visit of two Ministers-Thaneeru Harish Rao and Tummala Nageswar Rao-to Tirumala this weekend is reportedly meant to finalize the visit of the Chief Minister.
While Harish Rao reached the hilltop on foot along with his family members, Nageswar Rao came by car and both of them were accorded a formal reception by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) authorities.
The two ministers, who are the members of the TRS supremo’s inner circle, would also discuss some nitty-gritty with the TTD officials. “TTD keeps gold and silver donations in banks and dispose them off in auction later. The government wants an assurance from the authorities that the ornaments from Telangana would be displayed during all major spiritual events,” a journalist close to Chief Minister’s Office said.
At the time of the election, KCR, a devoutee of Lord Venkateswara, vowed to donate the ornaments, if TRS comes to power. The State government, headed by him, deposited Rs.5 crore in TTD account from Common Good Fund (CGF) of the endowment department. The TTD followed the bidding process and entrusted the task of making ornaments to a Coimbatore- based Keerthilal Kalidas Jewelers. A Saligrama Haram (lotus model golden necklace), weighing about 14.900 kilograms worth 3,70,76,200 and a five-row Kante (carcanet), weighing 4.650 kilograms worth 1,21,41,150, are ready to be delivered. The ornaments are meant for adoring Moolavar (the presiding deity) of Tirumala temple.
KCR planned to visit Tirumala for this purpose in February but he couldn’t go due to GHMC elections. The visit was postponed to March but this time too it didn’t work out due to pressing political and administrative reasons. “KCR wants to fulfill his mokku (vow) as soon as possible. The two ministers are going to closet with the TTD officials to finalise the dates in their present trip,” sources said.
Media reports suggest that the government originally planned to offer haram with original Saligramamas (fossilised shells) but the selection of genuine Saligramamas was a difficult task since it was available only in Nepal. After referring experts in Agama sastras, it was decided to present the haram in pure gold.
The other vows KCR has to fulfill include a golden crown to goddess Bhadrakali at Bhadrakali temple in Warangal an Bangaru Meesalu (golden moustache) to Kurivi Veerabhadra Swamy temple in Warangal, Mukku Pudaka to Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada and another Mukku Pudaka to goddess Padmavathi in Tiruchanur, it is learnt.
It may be recalled that KCR set his foot in Andhra region on October 22, 2015 for the first time after 14 years, only to take part in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new capital city of the residual State. A Times of India report said that KCR never visited Andhra and Rayalaseema regions for any public event except visiting the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala as a private citizen and pilgrim.
