World class museum by year-end in Tirumala

Tirumala: The state-of-art museum which is underway in Tirumala would definitely be the world number one, TTD executive officer A V Dharma Reddy said informing that the museum will be ready for inauguration by this year-end.

Speaking to media persons after the Dial-your-EO programme in Tirumala on Friday, the EO said the SV Museum which is being developed at a cost of about Rs 120 crore by Tata Trust with facilities including 3D images of jewels, artefacts related to temples and temple arts, etc., will make the pilgrimage a unique and rewarding spiritual experience to the visiting pilgrims.

Another major initiative with the sponsorship of Reliance company in Tirumala, the EO said, is automation of the entire process of laddu making to increase the production of laddus substantially to a minimum of six lakh daily to cope with the increasing demand for the most sought after prasadam of the Lord. The automation of laddu production which is to cost about Rs 50 crore not only help increase production but also make them tastier as it helps the mixing of ingredients, including dry fruits perfectly and also uniform size of laddus preparation in a hygienic environment, he said. He made it clear that the automation in no way would affects the present strength of potu (temple kitchen) workers.

Anjanadri temple at Akasa Ganga is also coming up at a cost of Rs 50-60 cr donation and the new Parakamani building will become operational from February 5 onwards, the EO added.

Briefing on the replacement of the acacia plantation in Tirumala as it is inimical to the growth of indigenous species of plants on the hills, he said the work is going on at a fast pace and very soon a wide range of species replacing the acacia in the Seshachala woods would add more to its greenery and also to wide range of species, the EO said.

TTD is not spending extra for the replacement of acacia which is sold to interested buyer fetching adequate revenue to meet the replacement work.

Meanwhile, in the hour-long dial your EO, 29 calls were received on Friday on various issues including seeking of TTD support under Srivani Trust for temple reconstruction, rude behaviour of an official in Tirumala temple, online booking of seva tickets, inconvenience faced by an aged woman during the recent Ratha Saptami, facilitating darshan for Asthma pilgrims, etc.,