Date:25/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/25/stories/2004112502770500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Move to remove donor stones draws flak

By Santosh Patnaik

VISAKHAPATNAM, NOV. 24. After the demolition of the 1,000-pillar mandapam at Tirumala, which triggered a controversy, it seems to be the turn of the Simhachalam Devasthanam Trust Board.

The recent decision to remove donor stones and certain inscriptions sculpted on the floor of the ancient Sri Varaha Lakshminrusimha Swami Temple with antique value has raised a lot of dust in various circles. The board, as part of the temple's modernisation, wants to go in for new flooring, but this is hurting the sentiments of many devotees.

The beautifully-carved, 16-pillared Natya Mandapam and the 96-pillared Kalyana Mandapam bear testimony to the architectural excellence of the temple. According to reliable sources, after taking the decision, the temple officials have sought the formal permission from the Endowments Commissioner for issuing work order to carry out the task.

`An act of sacrilege'

``It's an unpardonable blunder. At least, they should have learnt a lesson from the raging controversy after the demolition of the 1,000-pillar mandapam at Tirumala. Removal of stones of antique value is nothing but an act of sacrilege,'' remarked noted painter, Abburi Gopalakrishna.

The board, among other things, has decided to go in for granite flooring in the sanctum sanctorum, make major modifications in the Dhwajasthambam and Prahalada mandapam by utilising 10 to 12 kg. of gold. At present, the temple has 3 kg. of gold in melted form at its disposal. An account under the name "Swarnapadak'' has been opened in Andhra Bank with account number 9276 at Simhachalam to seek 24-carat gold donations from devotees.

Objections raised

``They have no right to distort the temple's original architecture. The inscriptions on khondalite stones have immense historic value. It will cause irreparable damage to those who sculpted inscriptions in memory of their elders hoping that `padasparsa' (touch with the feet of visitors) will make them pious,'' Dr. Gopalakrishna said.

Some devotees feel that the removal of stones will also go against the provisions of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972 and the Antiquities Art Treasure Rules of 1973. As per these rules, the permission of the Archaeological Survey of India has to be obtained for effecting alterations to heritage structures.

The noted lawyer, Kandala Srinivasa Rao, said that the move is highly reprehensible, as it would hurt the feelings of the donors. "If they think the removal is a must, the same stones can be preserved as the backdrop. However, under the garb of modernisation, artefacts of antique value should not be removed,'' he averred.

Century-old stones

The Pendurthy MLA, Tippala Gurumurthy Reddy, is shocked over the move and terms it "most unfortunate.'' He said that there are stones, which have already completed a centenary in the precincts of the temple.