Karnataka Minister Janardhan Reddy offers Rs 45 crore crown to Tirupati Venkateswara

Tripati, June 13 (ANI): Karnataka Tourism Minister, Gali Janardhan Reddy, presented a diamond studded gold crown worth 450 million rupees to the famed Hindu temple Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati on Friday.

Weighing 32 kilograms, this crown is made of pure gold, and has a huge 890-carat emeralds besides 70,000 diamonds. The diamonds are believed to have been mined in South Africa.

The crown was placed on the idol of Lord Venkateswara during the Abhishekam Seva (a Hindu ritual of showering flowers, milk, money or gold on an idol) after which special prayers were offered at the Vaibhavotsava Mandapam (specific covered area for auspicious services) of the temple.

The crowned idol along with other deities of Sridevi, Bhudevi and Balaji, known as Malayappa Swamy, was taken in a procession.

Later, speaking to reporters, Janardhan Reddy said that it was divine destiny, which had enabled him to donate this crown to the temple for the betterment of all the people, and also for the success of his industry.

"This is a personal offering to seek God's blessings for all, for the people in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Also for the prosperity of my industrial set up Brahmini which will help 20000 people," he added.

As an industrialist, Reddy owns mining rights and has also floated a mini-steel plant.

It is said that with this offering Janardhan Reddy has become the biggest single donor to the temple after rulers of Vijayanagara Empire in the XVI century. Krishnadevaraya was the most famous ruler of this dynasty. (ANI)