Tirupathi, Jul 3: India's richest temple, the famous Tirupati Balaji, risks collapse due to soil erosion on the slippery slopes of the beautiful Tirumala Hills overlooking the holy town of Tirupati, says a report by the Geologicial Survey of India.
The GSI report says that the idyllic Tirumala hill is weakening due to rampant soil erosion. The GSI report has been given to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam board.
The report says, the soil beneath the Balaji temple is slowly losing its grip.
GSI and a team of researchers from IIT Chennai had conducted a soil test in the month of January and came to the conclusion that due to change in water condition, the soil was weakening.
To prevent another incident like the Srikalahasti temple where the entire Rajagopuram of the 500-year-old temple in Chittoor had collapsed, TTD swung into action and assigned the task of further soil test and suggesting ways and means for its preservation to a private company which has started its work.
The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini what is known popularly today as Tirupati Balaji Temple.
The main temple complex of temple houses the awe inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills and is worshipped by millions of devotees all over the world.
Devotees from all over the world flock to the temple in large numbers throughout the year and make handsome offerings in cash. gold and silver, making it the richest temple in India.
