ANANDA NILAYA VIMANAM (Vajra Kireetam)

It is mind boggling to learn that more than 150 Kg of pure gold is used to provide a gold metal cover to the exquisite "ANANDA NILAYA VIMANAM", the granite canopy over the sanctum sanctorum. In addition to this the temple management is contemplating to provide gold-coated copper sheets to all the pillars and doors including the outer prakaram of the sanctum sanctorum to add to the aesthetic beauty of the shrine and thus transform it into a "golden temple" complex. According to rough estimates, nearly 100 Kg of gold is required for the work and the TTD is already in the process of procuring the same. An interesting feature of the temple is inspiring its rich collection of ornaments; donations are still pouring inn from devotees in the form of fabulous offerings. For instance, during 1998 year a devotee from Sri Lanka who wished to remain anonymous for obvious reasons had donated three diamond-studded golden crowns for the processional deities - the Lord and his two consorts. Another devotee a business tycoon from Pune offered a diamond parrot, a pair of Nagabharanams besides other princely offerings to the temple. Apart from these another devotee has come forward to donate a "Vajra Kireetam" to the goddess Padmavati of Tiruchanoor whose estimated cost is around Rs. one crore. To add further to the grandeur of the temple, the management has already initiated the task of remaking various "vahanams" used for the procession of the Lord. Beside the "surya prabha" vahanam remade last year, the TTD has recently refabricated the gold-coated "sarvabhoopala" vahanam at a cost of Rs.23 lakhs using four Kg of gold. The temple annual income which was Rs. 37 lakhs in 1945-46 rose to 9 crore in 1970-71 to Rs. 23 crore by 80-81 and then toRs. 108 cr. (90-91) and touched all time high of Rs. 300 crore during 1997-98 By the end of the millennium TTD is expecting its income to touch the Rs.350 crore mark. 

Source : http://www.tirumala-tirupati.com/