Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which administers the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala, today launched a Rs eight crore sandalwood plantation project in Gogarbham forest, 2 km from the temple.
TTD Executive Officer M G Gopal said they had embarked on this project, keeping in mind future demand for sandalwood, one of the most important ingredients used in rituals, including the celestial bath (Abhishekam) conducted by high priests to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara.
13,300 saplings bought from a research institute at Bangalore would be planted on 13 acres, he said.
