The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Forceful plea for reconstruction of mandapam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Forceful plea for reconstruction of mandapam

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, DEC. 17. A number of people at a public hearing on the controversy surrounding the 1,000-pillar mandapam made a forceful argument for its reconstruction and opposed the construction of the fourth mahaprakaram before the three-member committee, headed by P.V.R.K. Prasad, and members, A. Chengappa and Y. Chakradhara Rao, all retired IAS officers.

Their contention centred mainly around the heritage value of the mandapam, its religious importance, natural affinity to the temple and attachment of the pilgrims and how its removal hurt their sentiments.

The speakers gave more importance to the primacy of the sthala (place) and holiness of the sannidhanam. Some drew parallels between the significance attached to structures and symbols of religion and their safeguarding in other faiths and the manner in which an ancient heritage mandapam was demolished. Even the concern shown towards ancestral property was not displayed while dealing with the mandapam with which generations of devotees identified themselves, it was argued, while pointing out that no public opinion was sought when the mandapam was being demolished.

An ophthalmologist, Radhakrishna, said the mandapam was constructed in the 15th Century. Its location was decided by Brahmasastras and the emperor who built it, went through the sastras before constructing it. Ramanujam of Varijasramam, Bhimili, said there was no room for personal views and it should be reconstructed using the material of the pulled down structure.

Venue for utsavams

Iraavarapu Ramanujacharyulu of Anakapalle pointed out that the 1,000-pillar mandapam was still a venue for utsavams and wanted it to be reconstructed with the same stones. Yaddanapudi Ayyanna Pantulu of Sri Mahakameswari Peetham said during the last 50 years several changes had taken place and there was no need to reconstruct the mandapam.

Hearings

Mr. Prasad said the committee would hold hearings at Chennai and Hyderabad too. Replying to the questions, he said the issue was referred to the Director of Archaeology. A committee, which examined it, said that it was not in a safe position and should be removed properly, numbered and relocated. He agreed that members of public should have been taken into confidence. The rushing of pilgrims at the time of darshan was based on a time and motion study.

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