The Hindu : National : Kanchi Acharya presents golden crown to Tirumala temple

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 02, 2004

National

National

Kanchi Acharya presents golden crown to Tirumala temple

By Our Staff Reporter

Sri Jayendra Saraswathi of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam handing over the gold crown that will adorn Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Friday.

TIRUMALA, OCT. 1. The Sankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, on Friday presented a diamond-studded `golden kireetam' (crown) worth Rs.1.5 crores to the Tirumala temple.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who is on a two-day visit here, accorded a warm reception to the Acharya and his junior, Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi, and accepted the offering on behalf of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Later, the Lord was adorned with the crown, amidst chanting of Vedic hymns by the TTD's Sri Ranga Ramanuja Pedda Jeeyar.TTD sources said that about 9.631 kg of gold, 1.8129 carats (2,060 pieces) of diamond, 67.09 cents (217 pieces) of ruby, 124.26 carats (5 pieces) of emerald and 2 kg of silver had gone into the making of the crown. The deity already has four crowns.

The crown is being offered by devotees of the Kanchi Mutt, marking the completion of 50 years of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi's ascension to the Kanchi Peetam.The Chennai-based industrialist, S.P. Goenka, is the chief patron behind the divine offering.Earlier, the golden crown was taken around the `mada' streets in a grand procession, led by both the Acharyas.

The Chief Minister later told newspersons that he was fortunate to receive the `noble offering' being made to the Lord, on behalf of the TTD.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section