Ayappa to have a golden crown in Chennai

Chennai, Jan 9 (ANI): A 22-carat golden crown studded with precious stones like diamonds, rubies and emeralds, worth million of rupees has been exclusively designed by a renowned century old jewellery company of Chennai.

This crown designed by Vemmudi Bangaru Jewellers (VBJ) will be gracing the presiding deity of Lord Ayappa at a temple located at Machilipatnam, a minor port city of Andhra Pradesh.

The crown, locally called Keeritam, has around 2685 diamonds along with several rubies and emeralds worth around 4000 thousands rupees.

According to the Jitendra Vummudi, Managing Director of VBJ, the authorities of the temple placed the order for this special crown. He also mentioned that the artisans of VBJ had carved out a name in crafting such masterpieces for several temples across India and abroad.

The Sri Dharma Sastha Bhakta Vrindam Ayappa Devalayam at Machilipatnam is one of prime temples in the region, visited by thousands of devotees and pilgrims.

"This golden diamond crown weighs around 571 grams, it has 2685 diamonds in it and has 20 carats of rubies and emerald and is made in 22 carats. The total cost of the crown is 40 lakh (rupees) approximately," said Jitendra Vummidi.

He also mentioned that it took merely 20 days to crave out this beautiful crown by a team of four skilled designers who crafted and studded it with precious stones.

The total weight of the crown is estimated to be around 561.210 grams including the diamond weighing around 71.86 grams. (ANI)