TIRUPATI: The gold covering work of Ananda Nilayam began at Tirumala Friday.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman DK Audikesavulu Naidu performed special pooja to Goddess Lakshmi to mark the commencement of gold covering work of sanctum sanctorum of Sri Venkateswara temple.
Later, speaking to newsmen, the TTD Chairman said the gold covering work would be completed within one year. The TTD had already received 60 kg of gold from devotees for the work taken up under the Ananda Nilayam Anantha Swarnamayam scheme. More and more devotees are coming forward to donate gold to the TTD under the scheme, he said. The TTD had taken the help of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Mysore, to compile the sacred scriptures for digitalisation.
TTD Executive Officer KV Ramanachary, Special Officer AV Dharma Reddy, Chief Engineer VSB Koteswara Rao, CVSO Ramakrishna and others were also present on the occasion.
In the first phase of Ananda Nilayam Anantha Swarnamayam scheme, 200 kg of gold and 600 kg of copper will be used to cover the first prakaram (Sampangi Prakaram) around the sanctum sanctorum.
The inner gopuram measures at its base 24 ft from east to west and 36 ft from south to north. The width of the gateway is 9 ft. It is similar to the outer gopuram in design. The Prakaram walls emanating from the gopuram measure 235 ft from east to west and 160 ft from north to south.
There are several inscriptions on the outerwalls of the temple. The earliest inscription on the walls belongs to the 16th regnal year of Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya (1354- 55). Generally, older inscriptions are on the basement of gopurams. The outerface of the temple walls contain inscriptions of the 15th and 16th centuries. The balustrades at the doorway are beautifully carved.