Krishna idol atop Tirumala temple entrance tower found damaged ahead of Brahmotsavams | Vijayawada News
Tirupati: A damaged idol of Lord Krishna atop the ‘Mahadwara Gopuram’ (entrance tower) of Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala was noticed during a routine inspection ahead of the annual Srivari Brahmotsavams, prompting the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to take up immediate repair works.Videos showing the disfigured idol, with one of its arms appearing broken, went viral on social media platforms on Tuesday, triggering concerns among devotees. The incident comes just a week ahead of the commencement of the annual Brahmotsavams on Sep 15.Dismissing allegations of negligence, TTD authorities said the damage was detected during routine inspection of the Mahadwara Gopuram carried out as part of preparations for the Brahmotsavams. The temple authorities explained that the iconic gopuram is adorned with hundreds of intricate sculptures, which remain exposed to harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain and prolonged sunlight. Such exposure can cause wear and tear over time, necessitating regular maintenance and restoration, they said.“As part of the annual practice ahead of the annual Srivari Brahmotsavams, the temple authorities inspect the entire gopuram while taking up painting and restoration works. Damaged idols are repaired or replaced with new ones depending on their condition,” TTD sources said.The TTD appealed to devotees and the public not to circulate false or misleading information about the incident, saying such reports could cause unnecessary anxiety among devotees of Lord Venkateswara across the world.
