HC upholds TTD’s decision to renovate Vakulamatha temple

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday upheld the decision of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to renovate the Vakulamatha temple at Peruru in Pathakalva village on Chittoor-Tirupati bypass road.

The court directed the TTD to complete the works as contemplated in the 2009 resolution. Vakulamatha is revered as the mother of Lord Venkateswara and incarnation of Yashoda, foster mother of Lord Krishna.

Justice Challa Kodanda Ram was passing a common order in two writ petitions. The judge dismissed the writ petition filed by Varala Reddy and another who challenged the resolution saying that they are getting livelihood by cutting the rock on which the temple is situated. They wanted the temple to be shifted out so that they can cut the rock and sell it.

The judge was allowing a writ petition filed by RVV Krishna Rao, former doordarshan director (News), Hyderabad and presently associated with Sree Peetham. The petitioner complained that the officers are not protecting the temple and are not stopping the alleged illegal quarrying and wanted the TTD to renovate the temple as resolved.

In 2005, the TTD resolved to shift the Vakulamatha temple from Peruru and build it at Alipiri or any temple complex of the TTD. Later, the whole issue was revisited and it was resolved in 2009 that the temple which was in dilapidated condition at Peruru will be renovated therein. The district administration wanted to handover the land around this temple to the TTD for the purpose. Some local villagers approached the high court contending that the temple is on a huge rock and they are getting livelihood by cutting this rock and TTD has no power to take the land herein. They said that the temple may be shifted out. Besides, there was scope for law and order problem. In 2010, a single judge of the court granted stay on the TTD resolution to renovate temple.

In 2012, Krishna Rao moved the high court complaining that illegal quarrying taking place in the area and the stone cutting works are taking place without any lease from the mining department. Both the temple and the rock on which it is situated are being blasted off, he pointed out.

In September 2012, a single judge directed the authorities to protect the temple and stop all the quarrying blasting works around the temple. The court decided to hear both the writ petitions together.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Justice Kodanda Ram was shown the latest pictures how the rock was excavated by the illegal quarrying. In fact, there was no lease to do quarrying works at the said place, the petitioner’s counsel pointed out. The judge also heard the counsels’ arguments appearing for implead petitioners Pardhasarathy, former MLA from Kadiri, and Bhanuprakash Reddy, member of the TTD.
After hearing the case, Justice Kodanda Ram made it clear that the TTD has got the power to fund for renovation of the temples in ruins. The judge directed the TTD to complete the works.

Source : Indian Express