Telangana CM fulfils Rs.5 crore vow at Tirumala temple

Fulfilling a vow he had taken during the movement for a separate Telangana state, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday offered gold ornaments worth over Rs 5 crore to gods in this temple town in Andhra Pradesh.

More than two and a half years after achieving his goal, Rao along with family members, ministers and top officials made the offerings on behalf of the Telangana government at Lord Venkateswara and Padmvathi temples.

KCR with his wife Shobha, daughter K. Kavitha and other family members and entire entourage had 'darshan' at the hill shrine and performed rituals.

He arrived here in a special aircraft from Hyderabad to hand over the 19 kg of ornaments to temple officials.

According to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the richest temple, the government of Telangana donated two jewels which includes 'Saligrama Haram' weighing about 14.148 kg and five stepped 'Kante Haram' weighing about 4.924 kg taking the total weight to 19.072 kg and costing around Rs 5 crore.

After praying, the Chief Minister told the media that he prayed for the prosperity of the people of both Telugu states. He hoped the two states have cordial relations.

KCR also promised help to the temple authorities in their plans to build a Sri Venkateswara temple in Hyderabad.

B. Gopala Krishna Reddy, a minister in Andhra Pradesh cabinet, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) chairman Ch Krishnamurthy and other officials accompanied KCR.

Telangana Speaker Madhusudhana Chary, several ministers, Chief Secretary S. P. Singh, other top officials and advisors were part of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief's entourage.

KCR and others later offered prayers at Padmavathi Devi temple at Tiruchanoor.

The Chief Minister with his wife carried the jewel and silk 'vastrams' and offered them to the goddess.

According to TTD, the golden Nattu-nose pin weighing around 12.5 grams studded with precious stones worth around Rs 1.18 lakh was presented. The nose pin had the design of the state bird of Telengana - Pala Pitta (Indian Roller).

--IANS

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