The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Golden ‘dhwajasthambam’ for Srikalahasti temple

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Saturday, Jul 12, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Golden ‘dhwajasthambam’ for Srikalahasti temple

Staff Reporter

–Photo: K. V. POORNACHANDRA. KUMAR

Rich tribute: Sudhakar Reddy, brother-in-law of BJP Minister from Karnataka Gali Janardhana Reddy (centre) presents a cheque for Rs. 50 lakh to the temple. Executive Officer T. Sivaji (far right) at Srikalahasti on Friday.

TIRUPATI: After the Venkateswara temple at Tirumala and Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple at Kanipakam in the district, the Srikalahasti Vayulingeswara temple will soon get a golden ‘dhwajasthambam’. Industrialist-turned-politician from Karnataka, Gali Janardhana Reddy, has come forward to bear the estimated cost of Rs.2 crore for making the golden flagpost.

Top quality teak wood from Karnataka forests will soon be identified and brought to Srikalahasti, cut to shape and erected in place of the existing flagpost. Usually, a single tall tree will be chosen and its trunk used for the sacred purpose after its branches are chopped. After its installation at the designated spot in front of the sanctum sanctorum amid chanting of hymns from scriptures, a cylindrical brass covering will be given to it, followed by gold gilding from the pedestal to the top.

The work was formally grounded when a cheque for Rs. 50 lakh was handed over on Mr. Janardhana Reddy’s behalf to the temple Executive Officer T.Sivaji by his brother-in-law Sudhakar Reddy, who hails from Chittathuru village near Srikalahasti town.

For announcing the noble cause, Mr. Reddy has chosen the birthday of his daughter G. Brahmani, on whose name he is setting up a steel unit in Andhra Pradesh.

Former trust board chairman Kola Anand and Y.S. Jagan Charitable Trust chairperson B.Madhusudhan Reddy were among those present on the occasion.

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