Lets
Prevent the destruction of Tirumala Heritage
Dear
devotees of Lord Venkateshwara,
The abode of the Lord of this Kaliyuga –
Tirumala temple is being subject to a mass destruction that is removing all the
ancient structures of heritage from the temple. This is causing enormous pain
amongst the devotees of the Lord.
The activities that the
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam officials are carrying out in the name of
development of the temple are actually demolishing the ancient and sacred
structures in Tirumala. Inspite of the objections raised by many great elders,
scholars and devotees, TTD is continuing with its “Maha Prakara construction –
a master plan’. In this disguise they are actually spending crores and
destroying the prominent signs of heritage of this great temple. The money they
are spending in these activities is none other than the crores that devotees
donated for the temple’s cause. Structures that are already demolished include
the 1000 pillar Mandapam and the maada veedhi (the street before the temple
where the procession of the deity is taken). When these were destroyed, the
vibrations of destruction were also experienced inside the temple at the
shrine. Many of the ancient maths and houses of heritage around the temple are
also under the eye of demolition. Even though the high court gave stay orders
to stop the destruction, internally they are still continuing the demolition
secretively.
Doing these unforgivable acts with the money
that the devotees offered, TTD is inturn causing enormous anguish to the same
devotees. So now the need has arisen to warn the TTD and its supporters, to
stop their tyrannical attitude and acts of demolition and start respecting the
voice of the pained devotees.
For this purpose, in Andhra Pradesh an association
of devotees called “Sri Venkateshwara Bhakta Mandali” has formed. It
constitutes devotees from different cities and villages.
As
a part of its initial protest against the demolition, the association is
planning to collect some 50 lakh signatures as a part of its signature campaign
by August 1st 2004. These signatures will be taken in a procession
and handed over to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam authorities.
Following
are the seven points that the association has brought up to highlight the misdeeds
of demolition and their ill-effects.
7 Demands To save the Lord of seven hills
1. We don't need facilities created at the cost of history and heritage of Tirumala. TTD should not be converted as picnic spot for the tourists.
2. Stop all demolitions and new constructions which are against to the tradition and heritage.
3. Front portion of the temple of Venkatadri hill should be restored to its previous glory along with thousand pillared mandapam and all structures of heritage that are removed should be restored and reconstructed as they were.
4. Unorthodoxical practices and lacunas in usages and customs should be stopped at once.
5. TTD should put an end to all the activities that are hurting the sentiments of billions of devotees and that are against & abusing the system laid down by Purvacharyas.
6. Interference into the affairs of T.T.D by the persons of other denominations who so ever should not be allowed at any cost, AT ANY LEVEL.
7. Protective Mechanism should be immediately institutionalised to the temple, to the
deity and to
the tradition.
In
view of the above points – all the devotees are requested to sign the petition
and pass on the information to their friends, relatives etc who can inturn
participate and circulate the same. Please participate and respond in this
noble cause and get the blessings of the Lord of Seven Hills. When the
demolition of simple structures which are very recent (say like Taj Mahal,
Charminar) is opposed strongly from every nook and corner – Don’t we feel the
right that we need to react and protect the ancient heritage of Tirumala – The
Lord who granted all our wishes till today is seeking our help and is looking
at us. How many of His children are ready to fight for His cause and wipe his
tears?. If you feel so – sign the petition and circulate it among your friends.
Below
you can sign the petition. We are asking for phone numbers and addresses of the
people who are signing the petition. Kindly note that these are not meant to
cause any problem to the devotees who sign the petition. It’s for authenticity
sake that we are collecting these phone numbers and addresses.
Also
pass on the information to your friends and relatives and recursively spread
the message. It’s a request to every interested devotee, to get as many
signatures as possible in this noble cause. May the Lord bless you all with
fame, prosperity and happiness throughout this life.
Lets protect the
ancient heritage of Tirumala