Vijayawada: The pilgrims, who visit Vijayawada during Krishna Pushkarams, will not only have the darshan of Kanaka Durga, but also of Lord Venkateswara, thanks to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) which will build a replica of Tirumala at PWD Grounds.The TTD officials said the works, which began on Sunday, will be completed in 40 days. “A temple replicating Lord Venkateswara’s shrine in Tirumala will be built at a cost of Rs 2.63 crore. The pilgrims and visitors, who visit Vijayawada for pushkarams, can have the darshan of the Lord of Seven Hills here itself,” said joint executive officer (JEO) of TTD Srinivasa Raju.
While the civil works would cost Rs 1.85 crore, the electrical works will cost an estimated Rs 78 lakh.According to TTD officials, 70,000 to one lakh people can have the ‘darshan’ of the Lord every day.Srinivasa Raju said the TTD is also planning to organise religious and spiritual programmes during the 12-day festivities. “Four queue lines will be arranged for the convenience of the devotees. With the help of Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad, various spiritual and cultural discourses will be held,” the JEO said.Water resources minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, who visited the work site, said the temple will be 82 ft wide and 130 ft high.