Toe of Sri Padam found broken

Tirumala: The left toe of Sri Padam, holy footprints of Lord Venkateswara, at Narayanagiri here was found broken on Saturday. TTD Joint Executive Officer Srinivasa Raju, who visited the spot on Sunday, said the damage was caused by a devotee breaking coconut after having ‘darshan’.

Media persons expressed their resentment to the JEO for allegedly showing partiality in giving information only to those considered close to him. Leaders of JAC Samanchi Srinivas and Bhanuprakash Reddy visited the Sri Padam in the evening. They alleged that the incident was an instance of the TTD negligent attitude. They demanded steps to ensure proper protection to the Lord’s valuables.

The broken toe has been restored, but the highly sacrilegious incident, while reflecting the TTD’s lax procedures to check misuse of holy precincts by wayward pilgrims, has caused concern among thousands of devotees. Wiser on hindsight, the temple authorities are now contemplating to ban the breaking of coconuts in the centre. According to Puranas, Sri Padam is exactly the spot where the Lord had set his foot during his advent on earth. Daily thousands of people have ‘darshan’ of the footmarks. Every year the TTD organises ‘Chatrastapanotsavam’ in August, during which time the devotees are allowed to have ‘darshan’ of the footmarks.