Pramoda Devi Wadiyar donates pair of silver Akhanda Deepa to Tirupathi temple
In a statement here on Wednesday, Ms Wadiyar said the existing silver Akhanda Deepa in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Sannidhi at Sri Tirupati Tirumala Temple had been donated by the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar III (Mummadi).
Since then, the Akhanda Deepa has been in use continuously even to this day, she said before adding that it required 'restoration or renewal'.
'With utmost humility and reverence, I have dedicated the new pair of silver Akhanda Deepa to replace the old Akhanda Deepa as a token of my spiritual belief and faith. I am truly humbled and express my sincere gratitude for this opportunity to follow the footsteps in taking forward the spiritual and cultural legacy of my illustrious predecessors of the royal family of erstwhile Mysore state,' she said in the statement.
Ms. Wadiyar has also urged the media to desist from speculating about the weight and value of the new pair of Akhanda Deepa.
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In a country where heritage conservation is not a priority, heritage buildings like this can survive only if they can pay for themselves, she believes, an opinion echoed by Dr. Philon. 'Jayalakshmi Vilas Museum will be a centre for diverse activities that provide the means to maintain its buildings and collections,' she says, offering examples of some planned activities, which include restaurants, a museum shop, and a range of educational programmes. 'The Deccan Heritage Foundation has consistently prioritised sustainability in its restoration projects by cultivating the necessary local skills.'
