EDITORIAL

A temple is highly sacred. It is the spiritual wealth of a nation, a priceless heritage. Therefore, a temple belongs to the entire society and every one should take responsibility for the protection and maintenance of temples. Only, if the people become servants and guardians of the temples we will be able to preserve this vast wealth for the posterity.

Temples symbolise our culture, spiritual progress, religious harmony et al. We attain peace and tranquillity and feel the streak of light in the encircling darkness due to the supreme being enshrined in the temples.

This is why we decorate the Deities installed in the temples with precious jewels, and perform festivals. Festivals bring us, joy and happiness and remind us that all are one in the presence of God.

Tirumala is the kaliyuga Vaikuntha and the presiding Deity Lord Srinivasa is the arca form of Maha Vishnu. Tiruchanur, the abode of Goddess Padmavathi Devi, is as sacred as Tirumala. The Goddess, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara is the manifestation of Sri Mahalakshmi. She is the Mother of all beings in this universe. It is the earnest belief of all devotees that a pilgrimage to Tirumala will be complete only after visiting Tiruchanur and offering worship to the Goddess there.

In this regard, it is proposed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to gold gild vimana and inner prakara of the sanctum. The Devasthanams feels that the shrine of Goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi will be more resplendent and more magnificent after completing this task. It is not only the responsibility of the Devasthanams but also of the devotees all over the world to make this dream a reality.

We appeal to all devotees to contribute generously for the gold gilding of inner prakara of the sanctum of Tiruchanur Temple. I hope this rare opportunity will be utilised by them to receive the blessings of Lord Sri Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavathi Devi.

All your donations may be sent by DD to the Executive Officer, T.T. Devasthanams, K.T. Road, Tirupati. The Karthika Brahmotsavam to be celebrated to the Goddess from November 30 to December 8 will be a special occasion for the devotees to worship the Divine Mother and offer their contributions for a sacred cause.

May Goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi bestow Her Divine Grace on us !