Andhra Pradesh Government had demolished the 650 year old 1000 Pillar Mandapam at Tirumala to create a modern complex in that area. This led to severe protests from Religious Groups in Andhra Pradesh, devotees of Lord Tirupati all over the Globe. Over 2000000 people participated in various petitions and protests to the Andhra Pradesh Government. Finally the Government has ordered reconstruction of the 1000 Pillar mandapam at the same spot as the previous one. In 2004 July, Protests had been held in the United States too against destruction of the sanctity of our Temples in the name of modernisation.
The detailed issue of the conflict between the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and His Holiness Swami Chinnajeeyar of the Ramanuja Sect has been elaborated here :
http://www.chinnajeeyar.com
Some comments of Devotees of Lord Tirupati.
"TTD migrating corporate scandal culture to Tirumala. Slavery back to Tirumala. TTD/APTDC constructing ROPE WAY for WEALTHY but NOT FOR PILIGRIMS. TIRUMALA IS A PILIGRIMAGE CENTRE. NOT A HONEYMOON/VACATION SITE" http://www.zeroguru.com
"WOW, TAJ. 350 YEAR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD, THE TAJ MAHAL A GRAND CLEBRATION – EVERY INDIAN SHOULD BE PROUD OF TAJ MAHAL BUT AT THE OTHER CORNER, EVERY INDIAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THE DEMOLITION OF 650-YEAR OLD 1000 PILLAR MANDAMPAM AT LORD VENKATESHWARA TEMPLE, TIRUMALA. INSTEAD OF CELEBRATING ITS BIRTHDAY, 1000 PILLAR MANDAPAM ATTAINED ULTIMATE FATE. NO ONE DARED TO DESTROY IT FOR 650-YEARS. BUT JUST FOR THE SAKE OF OUR ENJOYEMENT, 650-YEAR OLD HERITAGE WAS BRUTALLY GROUNDED . A GREAT PROOF OF SECULARISM. TAJ MAHAL IS A GREATEST TOURIST SPOT AND A WONDERFUL MONUMENT. 1000 PILLAR MANDAPAM IS A GREAT HERITAGE CARVED WITH PICTURES OF HINDU GODS, DEVATHAS, GURUS AND ACHARYAS. EVERY STONE AT TIRUMALA IS SACRED AS GODS AND DEVATHAS USED TO COME AND WORSHIP LORD VENKATESHWARA TEMPLE. TILL RECENTLY PEOPLE USED TO WORSHIP ALL THESE "DEMOLISHED" SCRIPTURES AT TIRUMALA. "http://www.zeroguru.com
"There is no reason in this world that can justify the demolition of 600 years old heritage. I wont even destroy my REST ROOM, if it is that many years old. Our heritage and culture was destroyed without taking the opinion of Hindus. Till now we are very proud of all these heritage and culture. We go to Lords feet with loads of love and affection. BUT NOT TO ENJOY AND PICNIC." – http://www.zeroguru.com
"WE DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF TTD EXECUTIVE OFFICER, A:GAMA COMMITTEE, VAIKHANASA COMMITTEE AND THE PRIESTS WHO ALL ALONG USED THEIR FOUL MOUTH TO DEFEND THEIR BARBARIC ACTS WE ALSO DEMAND GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND ANDHRA PRADESH TO ORDER AN IMMEDIATE ENQUIRY TO PROBE ALL THE IRREGULARITES AT TIRUMALA BY TTD OFFCIALS AND TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH BEHIND THE DEMOLITION OF HUNDRED YEARS OF HERITAGE" – http://www.zeroguru.com
"When did we see the Indian Newspapers involved in charity work? How many times we have seen from these newspapers making contributions to any disasters faced by the people of India? Did they ever get involved in the philanthropic activities on regular basis?? When ZEROGURU encouraged the devotees of Lord Venkateshwara to protect their heritage, culture and traditions, some foolish newspapers made it a big issue. BUT IGNORED OUR PROTESTS AND PETITIONS, THAT IS VERY MUCH AVAILABLE AT THE SAME LOCATION – ZEROGURU.COM. THIS SHOWS THE BIASED APPROACH. INSTEAD OF BRINGINING OUT THE TRUTH, OUR INDIAN NEWSPAPERS HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE THE HAPPENINGS AT TIRUMALA AND BUSY BEGGING FOR "TEMPLE PASS" FROM CORRUPT PEOPLE.
O:m Na:mo Venka:te:saya.. PAHIMAM PAHIMAM
Our senseless Indian Newspapers should learn a lot and basics of Journalism from their American counterpart.."
When will the Hindus in Maharashtra and other parts of India take inspiration from our South Indian brethren of Lord Venkateshwar Tirupati Balaji! Just one destruction of an ancient temple of Tirupati led to strong protests against the Andhra Pradesh Government forcing the Government to order the rebuilding of the 1000 pillar historical and sacred monument. Compare this to the conversion of innumerable Religious places and Tirthakshetras of Hindus being converted into Picnic spots in Maharashtra. Will Maharashtra Hindus protest in the same way against the destruction of sanctity at Ganpati Pule or the Shirdi Devasthaan ?
