The Hindu : Chinna Jeeyar unhappy over norms violation in temple kitchen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Chinna Jeeyar unhappy over norms violation in temple kitchen

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUMALA Feb. 1. Tridandi Srimannarayana Chinna Jeeyarswamy, who is camping in Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, during the last one week today visited the inner `Potu' (kitchen) of the hill temple and reportedly expressed his reservations over the way in which the usages and customs to be observed inside were being flouted, presumably due to increasing interference by temple authorities and staff.

It may be mentioned here that the TTD Executive Officer and other senior officials and engineers had been engaged in prolonged discussions with the pontiff during the last two days to seek his views mainly on two major issues -- proposed construction of the `maha prakaram' project around the Tirumala temple complex and, secondly, the alleged violation of norms in the rituals and customs in the temple.

Reliable sources said that the swamiji is in Tirumala at the instance of the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to study the two major problems confronting the TTD and guide its top brass on the do's and don'ts in order to streamline the rituals. Sources said that the TTD Executive Officer and others were closeted with the swamiji today also as a follow-up of yesterday's discussions, which reportedly extended till late in the night.

It was in this context that the swamiji's visit to the `Potu', where the `anna prasadams' (rice preparations) are prepared, assumed importance. Sources said that the swamiji was particular that the prescribed principles must be followed, at least, in the inner Potu as the `prasadams' prepared here are offered directly to the deity.

He was also said to have insisted that only conventional ovens (fire-wood ovens) be used at least in this `potu' and the cooks follow all the prescribed formalities in letter and spirit, unlike in the `laddu potu'.

Regarding the `maha prakaram', the swamiji was said to have expressed himself against any dislocation and disturbance to the existing four Mada Streets around the temple complex and felt that the TTD could go ahead with the project if it could ensure that.

The Swamiji told a media conference here today that he made certain specific suggestions in this regard as an alternative to the `maha prakaram' proposal and said that it was up to the TTD to examine it. He favoured initiation of a wide-ranging debate on the contentious project by the TTD, inviting Vaikhanasa experts, peetadhipathis, matadhipathies, experts in temple architecture, Vaasthu, etc., so that a consensus could be reached before embarking on the sensitive project.

Our Ttirumala Staff Reporter writes: The Swamiji said that `Viswa Shanthi Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Virata stotram' would be organised on February 13 in Hyderabad.

Talking to media persons, he said that the programme was being organised for universal peace and tranquillity.

Regarding the various social works being taken up by his organisation, the Swamiji said that by the next academic year, he was planning to start six schools (four in Karimnagar and two in Adilabad) for the benefit of tribal students, apart from organising dental and eye health camps in the tribal belts.

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