Naidu Lays Foundation Stone for Expansion of Sri Venkateswara Temple in Amaravati

Amaravati, Nov 2025 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the expansion and development of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Venkatapalem, located in the Amaravati capital region. The mega project, estimated at Rs 260 crore, will be executed in two phases and aims to transform the temple into one of the state’s most significant spiritual and architectural landmarks.

Performing the traditional bhoomipujan, the Chief Minister said he considered Amaravati “the capital of gods”, noting that destiny had granted him the privilege of naming the capital city. He also expressed gratitude to the farmers of Amaravati for voluntarily contributing 33,000 acres of land through the land-pooling system for the development of the capital.

Recalling earlier efforts to develop Amaravati, Naidu said he had envisioned constructing the temple on 25 acres along the Krishna River in 2019. He connected the temple’s expansion to the state’s cultural heritage and his personal devotion to Lord Venkateswara. Naidu highlighted that his father-in-law and former Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao introduced Annadanam at Tirumala in 1983, while he himself initiated Pranadanam in 2003.

Naidu also recounted the 2003 assassination attempt in which he survived an attack involving 23 Claymore mines while travelling to offer silk robes to Lord Venkateswara during Brahmotsavam. “The god saved me. I will never do anything that brings disrepute to Lord Venkateswara, nor will I let anyone else do so,” he said.

Emphasising humility and devotion, the Chief Minister noted that he always queues with common devotees whenever he visits the Tirupati temple. “We should not approach God with arrogance. Those who commit wrong will face punishment in this very life,” he remarked.

Naidu criticised the previous government for “causing destruction” and failing to advance Amaravati’s development. He praised the resilience of Amaravati farmers, who “travelled from the courts to the Tirupati temple” in their fight to protect the capital’s interests. He assured them that their faith and sacrifices would be honoured.

The Chief Minister urged the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to complete the Amaravati temple within two and a half years.

Project Details

The ambitious temple expansion will be carried out in two phases:

Phase I (Rs 140 crore):

• Construction of the temple prakaram
• A seven-storey Raja Gopuram
• Arjitha Seva Mandapam
• Mirror Hall (Addala Mandapam)
• Vahana and Ratha Mandapams
• Anjaneya Swamy Temple
• Pushkarini
• Cut-stone flooring and other essential structures

Phase II (Rs 120 crore):

• Development of temple Mada streets
• Approach roads
• Annadanam complex
• Pilgrim rest houses
• Residential quarters for priests and staff
• Administrative building
• Meditation hall
• Parking facilities

Although the TDP government had allocated 25.417 acres for the temple before 2019, the project was scaled down under the YSR Congress Party government. After returning to power last year, the TDP-led NDA government decided to revive and fast-track the initiative.

The ceremony was attended by Endowments Minister Anam Rama Narayana Reddy, Minister Narayana, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, MLA Tenali Shravan Kumar, several MLAs, and members of the TTD Board.