KCR wants Telangana’s own ‘Tirumala’ - The rivalry between Telangana

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The rivalry between Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh, squabbling like resentful siblings over the last one year, has now acquired a religious overtone.

In This Pic : KCR wants Telangana’s own ‘Tirumala’

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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With bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh retained its famous pilgrimage of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala, the Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam and Sri Kalahasthi temple in Chittoor. Telangana, on the other hand, while having its share of temples, has none to match the pull of the big three.

In This Pic : KCR wants Telangana’s own ‘Tirumala’

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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Now, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has got down to righting the 'wrong' - build his state's own Tirumala in shape of Yadagirigutta, or a temple to Sri Laskhmi Narasimha Swamy.

In This Pic : K Chandrasekhar Rao

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

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Tirumala has a centuries old tradition and the attention showered on it by successive governments has played a key role in making it one of the country's major pilgrimages. From Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara king, to Chandrababu Naidu, the temple has historically received official patronage.

In This Pic : KCR wants Telangana’s own ‘Tirumala’

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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Yadagirigutta began getting serious attention only in the past one year. Last October, KCR declared his plans to develop it along the lines of Tirumala. Temple authorities say that ever since he announced his plan, visitor stream has increased and on some days, especially on Saturdays, the numbers touch 50,000. Temple revenues too are beginning to reflect the increasing public interest in Yadagirigutta.

In This Pic : KCR wants Telangana’s own ‘Tirumala’

Pic Courtesy : BCCL