MYSORE: The plans of development of temple-town Melkote is taking final shape with the Committee on Development of Melkote headed by S Ravi Narayanan, appointed by the state government, suggested nine points for the development of Melkote, which would be aligned to the religious and historical sanctity of Melkote.
According to a copy of the suggestions available with Express, the Committee said that any development that is done in Melkote should be in line with rediscovery of Melkote's image as given in the Sthalapurana, inscriptions, historical, religious and philosophical and other backgrounds and values.
In the long run, Melkote should have a comprehensive and autonomous development board, just like Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board, which would have overall control not only on the management of the temples but also of the entire Melkote Township.
Suggesting that a master plan should be prepared visualising the requirements and developments nearly 50 years ahead, committee explained that the ageold Sanskrit college under the Muzarai department, and the academy of Sanskrit research, which is functioning in Melkote since 33 years should be brought under good management with some corporate culture to preserve the ancient knowledge systems available in Shastric texts to the posterity.
Among the four important and vital holy places of Srivaishnavism namely, Srirangam, TirumalaTirupati, Kanchipuram and Melkote (Tirunarayanapuram), Melkote is hailed as Bhuvaikuntha and Jnanamantapa. Melote was a citadel of knowledge of scriptures, Divyaprabandhams and Ubhayavedanta philosophy. It was considered to be very important where the oral tradition of the Vedas and Deviyaprabhandhams was preserved.
It may not be out of place to mention here that the UNESCO has recognised the oral tradition of the Vadas and Divyaprabandhams as one of the world heritage.