DIVINE GLORY: A view of the dazzling Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala. — A file photo

HYDERABAD: The temple town of Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, and the seven hills surrounding it have been accorded special status by the State Government by declaring them a holy place. Through an order, the Government said the "Tirumala Divya Kshetram", the name of the holy place, shall comprise the seven hills of Seshadri, Garudadri, Venkatadri, Narayanadri, Vrishabhadri, Vrishadri and Anjanadri, right from the foothills, the holy theerthams and the main shrine. Roads and footpaths leading up to the temple, including the first and second ghat roads between Tirupati and Tirumala, and the motorable road from Tirumala to Papavinasanam were declared part of the kshetram.

Ordinance promulgated

An ordinance was promulgated earlier by the Government on May 22 prohibiting the propagation of any religion other than what was traditionally practised in places of worship. As a follow-up, the Government notified the places of worship covered by the ordinance -- the kshetram area, 10 theerthams within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) limits and 20 temples elsewhere in the State.

The order designated the TTD Executive Officer as in-charge of the civic administration of the hills area. He will have the authority normally exercised by a sarpanch or the executive authority under the Panchayat Raj Act. No elections or political activity shall be permitted.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said at a news conference here on Friday that the objective was to ensure sanctity of the hills in the wake of reports that religions other than Hinduism were being propagated there. The Government did not want conflict of religions while ensuring religious freedom as a fundamental right of people.

`False campaign'

TTD Chairman B. Karunakar Reddy said a false campaign had been launched that religions other than Hinduism were being propagated on the hills. Not a single non-Hindu activity had come to light.

I.V. Subba Rao, Principal Secretary, Revenue (Endowments), said the Government had effectively dealt with propaganda to play down the significance of the seven hills of Tirumala. Using satellite imagery, it had disproved claims that there were only two hills in the area and not seven.

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