Diamond-studded gold idols found in Tirumala hundi

Diamond studded golden idols of Lord Venkateswara, goddess Padmavathi and Lakshmi found in the Tirumala hundi. Photo: Special arrangement

Three diamond-studded gold idols have been found in a hundi of the Lord Venkateswara temple here.

While the gold idol of Lord Venkateswara measured 24 inches in height and weighed 2.571 kg, the idols of goddess Padmavathi ammavaru and Lakshmi weighed about 81 and 101 gm respectively.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Joint Executive Officer K.S. Srinivasa Raju said the idols were dexterously crafted and studded with over 552 rubies, 197 emeralds and a sapphire. The estimated value of the offering, which was deposited in the hundi on September 28 and for certain administrative reasons was not made public, has been put at more than Rs. 1.25 crore. Mr. Raju said the idols would be placed at the SV Museum here for public display along with other unused jewels of the presiding deity.