In 2003, under the tenure of N. Chandrababu Naidu, the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, the 1,000-pillar mandapam (a historical structure near the tirumala temple) was demolished. The mandapam, believed to be centuries old, held great cultural and architectural significance as part of the ancient tirumala temple complex.
The demolition was carried out as part of the tirumala tirupati Devasthanams' (TTD) plans for temple expansion and infrastructural development. The ttd and Chandrababu Naidu’s government justified the decision, stating that the demolition was necessary to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting tirumala, improve crowd management, and facilitate temple activities. They argued that modern amenities, including pathways and queue complexes, were essential to handling the increasing footfall at one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.
However, the decision sparked significant controversy and backlash from historians, archaeologists, and devotees who saw it as an irreparable loss of heritage. Critics accused Naidu’s government of neglecting the cultural and historical value of the mandapam in favor of development projects. The demolition was seen as a disregard for the preservation of ancient structures, with many calling it an act of cultural insensitivity.
The incident remains a subject of debate, with differing opinions on the balance between heritage conservation and modern development at sacred sites like Tirumala.
The demolition was carried out as part of the tirumala tirupati Devasthanams' (TTD) plans for temple expansion and infrastructural development. The ttd and Chandrababu Naidu’s government justified the decision, stating that the demolition was necessary to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting tirumala, improve crowd management, and facilitate temple activities. They argued that modern amenities, including pathways and queue complexes, were essential to handling the increasing footfall at one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.
However, the decision sparked significant controversy and backlash from historians, archaeologists, and devotees who saw it as an irreparable loss of heritage. Critics accused Naidu’s government of neglecting the cultural and historical value of the mandapam in favor of development projects. The demolition was seen as a disregard for the preservation of ancient structures, with many calling it an act of cultural insensitivity.
The incident remains a subject of debate, with differing opinions on the balance between heritage conservation and modern development at sacred sites like Tirumala.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel