The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Venkateshwara temple planned in Chennai

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 30, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Venkateshwara temple planned in Chennai

Staff Reporter

Work is likely to begin by the end of 2006

CHENNAI: A temple for Lord Venkateswara, similar to the one in Tirumala Tirupati, will come up in Chennai.

The Divyakshetram on five acres will include a Pushkarani (pond) and a madapalli. Land is yet to be acquired, as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board wants to comply with the Agama shastras and vaastu requirements, says K. Anandakumar Reddy, president, local advisory committee of the Devasthanam.

The TTD board proposes to invest over Rs. 100 crores.

Work is likely to begin by the end of 2006. "The State Government has shown us five or six places, but they are not suitable... We want a good, wide approach road," Mr. Reddy said. The decision to build the temple was taken as two-thirds of the pilgrims to Tirupati came from Chennai. The Lord Venkateshwara shrine on Venkatanarayana Road, T.Nagar will be open from 2 a.m. until 11 p.m. without a break, on January 1 to help an estimated 1.10 lakh devotees have darshan. On January 1, 2005, 90,000 devotees offered worship.

On January 1, regular pujas would be held, but all other activities will be suspended.

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

Tamil Nadu