Yadadri to be closed for works

Nalgonda: Only two weeks are left for ardent devotees of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy to have darshan of the Lord to their satisfaction as the Yadadri temple is going to be closed for some time to facilitate execution of development works. The State government, which earmarked adequate funds for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamyvari Devasthanam, has also set up Yadadri Temple Development Authority (YTDA) to ensure its speedy growth on the lines of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala.
`Balalayam’ is fast coming up at Yadagirigutta. It will serve as an alternative during the closure of the main temple, where devotees can have darshan of the presiding deities. The works of Balalayam which consists of four sub-temples, Ramanuja Kutami and Vahanasala, are going on at a brisk pace under the supervision of eminent architect Anand Sai. Though all the daily rituals will go on as usual in the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple during its closure, devotees will not be allowed into it till the completion of all the proposed extension works.
According to Devasthanam authorities, Balalayam with the main door located in the east, resembles the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple in all aspects. Mandapams for performance of Kalyanotsavam and Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Vratham will also come up at the place. Queue lines will also be erected. Special pujas will be performed in Balalayam on April 19 and 20. Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamy will install the idols of the presiding deities in Balalayam at the auspicious muhurat of 9:58 am on April 21. Special rituals as per the norms of Agama Shastra will be performed to mark the occasion. Later, devotees will be allowed to have a darshan of the presiding deities at Balalayam.
Hailing the initiative taken by the State government to develop Yadadri on the lines of Tirumala, a devotee said, “Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamyvari Devasthanam and YTDA should take measures to meet the rush of pilgrims to Yadagirigutta during summer holidays. The authorities should ensure hassle-free darshan for the pilgrims visiting Balalayam during the closure of the main temple. They should also see that the sentiments of devotees are not hurt in any manner during the temple development and all the proposed works should be executed in accordance with Agama Shastra.”
Meanwhile, the number of devotees visiting the temple is on the rise in recent days. Speaking to The Hans India, Yadadri temple Executive Officer N Geetha Reddy said, “All precautions will be taken to protect the sentiments of devotees during the development of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam. Adequate steps will be taken to ensure that the pilgrims visiting Balalayam during the closure of the main temple do not face any inconvenience.”