OMG! ASI makes faux pas over TTD temples

​Tirupati: The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) beat a hasty retreat after attempting to declare the group of temples under the TTD at Tirumala as protected monuments, sensing that it would result in a political blowback as it would mean ruffling the religious sentiments of the people.

The ASI's move comes at a time when the state is at loggerheads with the Centre over several issues, including denial of Special Category Status to AP and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been pummelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi every day for breaking the promise made to the people. The move is being viewed as an attempt to settle political scores with the TDP government using the ASI as cat's paw, regardless of the fact that TTD is a religious and spiritual institution which is very sacrosanct for the people of Hindu faith.

The ASI Amaravati Circle wrote to the TTD executive officer on Friday that it intended to declare temples under TTD's control as protected monuments, which is being interpreted as the Centre making an attempt to wrest control over the TTD which is an autonomous institution.

In the letter, Amaravati Circle Superintending Archaeologist sought the Executive Officer of the TTD to provide information on the group of temples at Tirumala as he received a communication from ASI Directorate to examine the feasibility of declaring these temples in Tirumala as protected monument keeping in view of its antiquity and historicity.

The Superintending Archaeologist in his letter informed TTD Executive Officer to provide information on the temples under TTD. Incensed over the ASI's move, the TTD had even contemplated taking legal recourse.

As there was a sudden uproar over the Centre's move, the ASI backed out. According to TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal, the issue stood closed since the ASI Director-General had told him over the phone from Delhi that it was a "wrong communication" from the ASI Amaravati office to the TTD.

Singhal told reporters that the DG had made it clear that the Central government had no such intention of taking over the control of TTD and its group of temples at Tirumala and also informed that instructions were given to Amaravati circle to withdraw the letter.

Interestingly, the ASI is learned to have sent the letter to the EO basing on the recommendations of the specified authority of the TTD in 2011 seeking the help of the ASI to preserve the architectural and heritage value of the temple which came under threat during the demolition of Veyi Kalla
Mantapam.
Once the ASI is allowed to take control over the temples, religious organisations feel that even for pitching a tent in a temple one would require its permission. The sharp reaction is on account of the poor track record of the ASI in preserving the architectural grandeur of temples for TTD alone is capable of handling all temple structures which it was doing it for the years. The trust board had spent a lot of money to preserve the pristine glory and religious piety of the temples which it had taken over like Ram temple at Ontimitta in Kadapa district.

Reacting to the move of the Archaeological department, several religious heads and the general public protested strongly. They said this would result in ruining of the Tirumala temple. Temples under Archaeological department are in very bad shape and are facing problems even for Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam. If the Archaeological department takes over then even to pitch a tent during Brahmotsvams TTD will have to seek permission from Delhi and this they said was not acceptable.