Hyderabad: A row is brewing in Andhra Pradesh over the design of pillars to be used at the popular hill shrine of Tirumala, with Sangh Parivar organisations alleging that they resemble the Holy Cross.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the temple’s affairs, placed an order with a Bangalore-based company for supplying 250 pillars made of plaster of paris and featuring engravings. The pillars were to be used during the annual Brahmotsavam festival beginning from September 15.
A sample piece, delivered by the firm, was put on display near Alipiri at the Tirumala foothills.
This raised the hackles of BJP and other Sangh Parivar groups, who alleged that such a design amounted to hurting the sentiments of Hindus.
"Already, there has been a systematic proselytisation campaign in and around the holy town of Tirumala. The installation of cross-shaped pillars is yet another instance of insulting Hindu sensibilities," local BJP leader Bhanu Prakash alleged.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of recent protests against alleged religious conversions in Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara.
The state government had banned the propagation of other religions in notified places of worship including Tirumala.
Source: Times of india
