The grand Ram Mandir being constructed in the holy city of Ayodhya is uniting Indians like never before. Already, the world’s largest crowdfunding campaign has yielded over Rs. 2,200 crores, as people from across the length and breadth of India, and the world at large, join hands to see the grand temple of Shri Ram raised. Spread over 44 days, the crowdfunding campaign has seen over 50 crore people donate for the Ram Mandir. The initial target of the Shri Ramjanmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was Rs 1,100 crores, and the massive campaign, apart from uniting Indians, has yielded double the amount intended to be collected.
But that is not where it all stops. In fact, Ayodhya is soon set to become a national symbol of unity, as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) – the board entrusted with the maintenance and upkeep of Lord Venkateswara’s temple in Tirumala Hills of Andhra Pradesh – has now decided to construct a Sri Venkateswara temple in the holy city of Shri Ram. As per a report by the Hindustan Times, TTD will request Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust for a piece of land in Ayodhya to fructify the same endeavour.
“If a piece of land is allotted to the TTD, the board has decided to construct the temple of Sri Venkateswara in Ayodhya. Alternatively, we shall construct a Bhajan Mandiram (prayer hall) or amenities complex on behalf of the TTD,” said Y V Subba Reddy, chairman of TTD trust board. A resolution to this effect was adopted at a meeting of the TTD trust board, held in Tirumala, according to the report by HT. It must be mentioned that TTD has already decided to construct Lord Venkateswara temples in Mumbai and Jammu. “We shall perform bhumi pujan in both these places shortly,” he said.
The noble initiative of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams will go a long way in stitching the north-south divide that exists between Indians. With a temple dedicated to Sri Venkateswara in Ayodhya, the city will become a centre of Hindu confluence, as devotees from across the world will flock to it to witness the upcoming splendour of Indian culture and Hindu diversity that will be put up on display all across the holy city. The idea of a Sri Venkateswara temple in Ayodhya will lead to the North-South Hindu divide being filled up forever. For trying to unite Indians, the TTD must be commended, and all help must be accorded to them to see that their initiative reaches fruition as soon as possible.