1000 Pillar Mandapam at Narayanagiri.. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had found a place for the Thousand Pillars Mandapam. The mandapam was earlier located right in front of the main temple and sheltered pilgrims for centuries. Devotional music programmes used to be held there featuring vocalists like MS Subbalakshmi and Ghantasala.
The TTD dismantled the mandapam in 2003, saying it was very old and in a dilapidated condition. It said in the court that reconstruction of the mandapam couldn’t be taken up due to increase in pilgrim rush.
“The open space in front of the temple, where the mandapam once stood, is being used to accommodate a large number of pilgrims to witness the processions during the Brahmotsavams and other important festivals. There will be security threats if the mandapam is rebuilt at its previous location in front of the temple,” the TTD told the court.
After several hearings, the High Court gave directions to the TTD to constitute a high-level committee to examine in detail the threat perception to the temple and devotees due to construction or any other developmental activity around the temple and to identify a location in Tirumala or Tirupati to relocate the Thousand Pillars Mandapam.
After discussions and inspections, the committee headed by the then state IB chief submitted a report accordingly. It was felt that Narayanagiri Gardens is an appropriate place for the mandapam.
The TTD Board, on May 1, resolved to construct the mandapam at Narayanagiri and the new board headed by Chadalawada Krishnamurthy has resolved to constitute a committee of four, headed by TTD chairman Krishnamurthy and with members K Raghavendra Rao and Bhanuprakash Reddy and retired engineer and TTD’s technical advisor Kondala Rao for guidance in evolving a plan for the construction of the Mandapam.
Source – The New Indian Express.