YTDA, experts back decision on KCR images on Yadadri

Hyderabad: Responding to criticism from opposition parties and media reports, the Yadadri Temple Development Authority (YTDA) and Art Director came to rescue the TRS government. The YTDA vice-chairman Mr Kishan Rao, Stapathi Velu and the Art Director Mr Anand Sai said that temples always reflect the socio-economic conditions in the contemporary society and carry them forward to future generations.

The sculpture images of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, government’s populist schemes and TRS party symbol on the temple structure went viral on social media. BJP Telangana chapter president, Dr K Laxman and Ghoshamahal MLA, Raja Singh expressed concerns over polluting the holy temple while threatening the government to remove such images from temple pillars and other structures. They further cautioned the chief minister with dire consequences if the images are not removed.

Responding to this, Mr Kishan Rao said: “It’s common to feature contemporary conditions on temple structures. Sculptor Hariprasad was not told to carve the image of Mr K Chandrashekhar Rao. No promotion behind KCR kit. Sculptors are given a free hand. They have been working day and night. Generally, temples reflect society. For instance, the late Prime Minister, Ms Indira Gandhi’s image is also on the Yadadri temple structures. Other images include lotus. Images of Mahatma Gandhi and former PM Nehru are also there on Ahobilam temple structures. Coming to Yadadri development plan, over 5,000 images have been carved on Sapta Gopuralu.”

"Technology is temporary and history is forever," adds Mr Ananda Sai. He said that the sculptor of his own free will and affection towards Mr K Chandrashekhar Rao carved his image. “Yadadri development plan has many wonders. Ashtabhuji Mandapam is a very unique structure in the world. The effort is to convey the current conditions in the society to the future generations,” remarked Mr Sai.

Not only cars but other vehicles like cycles, autorickshaws, etc, are there on the structure, observed Stapathi Velu. “Any image on the black stone can sustain over 2,000 years,” adds Mr Velu.