Yadadri’s Vimana gopuram set to become country’s tallest gold-coated temple tower
Hyderabad: A historic milestone beckons Yadadri Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple as soon as the gold plating of the 48-feet tall Vimana gopuram is accomplished in February. This is set to become the tallest gold-coated temple tower in the country.
The Vimana gopuram is a five-storied tower located atop the sanctum sanctorum. Out of 10,000 square feet of gold coating works, artisans have so far completed 1600 square feet of gold sheets.
The temple has taken up the gold plating initiative with 60 kg gold raised from devotees and its own reserves. Carrying out the works are estimated to cost around `eight crore.
Endowment minister Konda Surekha said that gold cladding works will begin on November 15. Officials have been asked to ensure that gold plating of the entire gopuram is completed before March 1 to coincide with the commencement of Brahmotsavam rituals in the temple.
Ahead of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s tour to the temple town on Friday, Surekha conducted a review meeting with officials of Yadadri Temple Development Authority (YTDA) and the endowment department on the progress of the works. Stating that the state government is determined to make the temple as the country’s spiritual capital, Surekha said that Revanth Reddy will inaugurate the gold-coated Vimana Gopuram by performing `Maha Kumbaabishekam’ while launching the Brahmotsavam in March.
YTDA vice-chairman Kishan Rao said that they had acquired 1241.36 acres of land around the temple in order to transform the gigantic hillock into a majestic temple complex. The YTDA had also urged the state government to allocate another 101.10 acres of land. The file towards this is pending approval from the district collector of Bhvanagiri, he said. However, Surekha said that the state government will once again review and see if another 101.10 acres was required for the temple.
Surekha also enquired whether the 162 persons who lost their shops for the extension works were compensated. She directed YTDA officials to complete construction of shops at other locations and ensure that they are allotted to the beneficiaries.
K.S. Srinivasa Raju, advisor to the state government (infrastructure and projects), Saila Ramayyar, principal secretary for endowment, Dana Kishore, principal secretary of MA&UD and Hanumanth Rao, endowment commissioner took part in the review meeting.
