ASI Inspects Ancient Mandapams in Tirupati

Tirupati: A team of experts from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Wednesday inspected ancient mandapams near Alipiri in Tirupati.

The inspection comes after Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board passed a resolution to reconstruct two dilapidated mandapams near Alipiri, and another ancient mandapam inside the Srivari temple tank at Tirumala.

Devasthanam authorities, however, faced criticism for unilaterally deciding to demolish and reconstruct the ancient mandapams without consulting the ASI. Following this, the TTD requested ASI to advise and assist in the reconstruction works.

"ASI’s team of experts studied the condition of the three mandapams. They will submit a report with their recommendations on the future course of action," a TTD official said.

The team is likely to suggest alternatives to total demolition, so that heritage value of structures could be saved during the reconstruction. Their report will guide the reconstruction works planned by TTD.

A controversy erupted when the TTD trust board cleared proposals for demolishing and reconstructing the 1,000-year-old mandapams near Alipiri, underlining that they had reached a dilapidated state.

Heritage activists accused devasthanam authorities of hurriedly pushing for demolition without making efforts to restore and strengthen the historically significant structures.

TTD finally sought ASI's guidance following protracted arguments.