14.5 kg golden crown donated to Lord Venkateswara

Mumbai-based tycoon, who made offering, prefers anonymity

CROWNING TOUCH: The tiara weighing 14.5 kg donated to the Lord of Tirumala on Thursday by a Mumbai-based businessman. Photo: Special Arrangement

Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity at the Tirumala temple has reaped a rich gold harvest on Thursday in the form of two precious donations.

Reckoned as the richest deity in the world next to the Vatican Church, the Lord of the Seven Hills received a fabulous donation of a dazzling golden crown weighing 14.5 kg.

The exquisitely chiselled stone-studded tiara was offered to the deity by a Mumbai-based business tycoon who however preferred to remain anonymous for obvious reasons.

Donated in the presence of Kanchi seer

He handed over the crown to temple priests in the presence of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, the chief pontiff of Sri Kanchikamakoti Peetham. On behalf of the TTD, its Tirumala-based Joint Executive Officer, K. Bhaskar received the crown which is expected to be adorned to the main deity on Friday after the conventional Abhishekam.

Apollo chief makes offering

As yet another bonanza, the Lord also received a pair of gleaming golden ‘Nagabharanams'— a serpent-shaped ornament which would adorn the deity's biceps.

This ornament is also expected to be adorned to the deity on Friday after the celestial bath.

The intricately made jewellery weighing 4.03 kgs and worth about Rs.72 lakhs was donated by the Chairman of the Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Pratap C. Reddy.

Fulfilment of vow

The offering was made in fulfilment of a vow.