Amaravati, Nov 27 (LatestNewsX) – Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu cut the foundation stone for the expansion of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Venkatapalem in the Amaravati capital region. He then performed a ‘boomipujan’ for the Rs 260 crore project, which will be executed in two phases. The aim is to turn the TTD temple into a landmark of both spirituality and architecture for the state.
Calling Amaravati the capital of gods, the CM said that God has let him name the city Amaravati. He thanked the local farmers who voluntarily gave 33 000 acres of land through pooling for the new capital. He reminded that in 2019 he had decided to build the temple on 25 acres along the Krishna River.
Chandrababu Naidu noted that former Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao started ‘Annadanam’ at Tirumala back in 1983, and that he began ‘Pranadanam’ in 2003. He recounted an incident when he was about to offer silk robes to the deity during Brahmotsavam and was attacked with 23 Claymore mines, yet the god protected him. “I will not do anything that tarnishes Lord Venkateswara Swamy, and I will not let anyone do it,” he said.
Whenever he visits the Tirupati temple, he queues with devotion, adding, “We must never approach God as a bigot. Those who err will face divine judgement even in this life.” He lamented that the previous government did only damage, neglecting the farmers’ goodwill and “showing them hell.” He praised the farmers’ faith in Lord Venkateswara, noting that they traveled from court to Tirupati and fought for the state capital.
The CM urged the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to finish the Amarakavati temple within two and a half years. The first phase, costing about Rs 140 crore, will build essential parts such as the temple prakaram, a seven‑storey Raja Gopuram, Arjitha Seva Mandapam, Mirror Hall (Addala Mandapam), Vahana and Ratha Mandapams, Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Pushkarini, and stone flooring. The second phase, estimated at Rs 120 crore, will cover the temple Mada streets, approach roads, a new Annadanam complex, pilgrim rest houses, residential quarters for priests and staff, an administrative building, a meditation hall, and parking.
The TDP government had earlier allocated 25.417 acres to the temple before 2019, but the YSR Congress Party scaled back the plan. After the TDP‑led NDA assumed power last year, the project was revived and fast‑tracked. The ceremony saw the presence of Endowment Minister Anam Rama Narayana Reddy, Minister Narayana, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, TTD Chairman BR Naidu, MLA Tenali Shravan Kumar, several other MLAs, and TTD board members.
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