AP Govt Revives Amaravati’s Sri Venkateswara Temple Project
The Andhra Pradesh government has announced plans to construct a Sri Venkateswara temple in Amaravati, inspired by the renowned Tirumala temple. The temple complex will include an expansive outer courtyard, a Maharaja Gopuram at the eastern entrance, and Rajagopurams on the western, northern, and southern sides. The project aims to establish the temple as a major spiritual and cultural landmark, blending traditional architecture with modern infrastructure.
The project was initially approved seven years ago by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, which allocated 25 acres of land between Venkatapalem's main access road and the Krishna River embankment. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board of Trustees approved the project in 2018 with an estimated cost of ₹150 crore. However, progress stalled after the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) came to power, reducing the budget to ₹36 crore, limiting construction to the main temple, an inner Prakaram (courtyard), a single Rajagopuram, and a Dwajasthamba mandapam.
With the coalition government back in power, the project has regained momentum, and the budget has been increased to ₹185 crore. The revised plan includes an expansive outer courtyard, Kalyanaotsava and Utsava Mandapams for ceremonies at a cost of ₹84 crore, and enhanced infrastructure such as cut stone flooring, mada streets, and approach roads. Facilities like the Arjitha Seva Mandapam, Addala Mandapam, Vahana Mandapam, Radha Mandapam, Anjaneyaswamy Temple, and a sacred Pushkarini will also be developed.
A dedicated Annadanam Complex, staff quarters, a rest house, and a waiting hall will be built for ₹20 crore. Modern facilities, including a solar power plant and lighting system, will be installed at a cost of ₹11 crore, enhancing the temple's sustainability.
