TTD to draw 3 kg of gold to make kavachams for idols at Navi Mumbai temple

Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will draw 3 kg of gold from its treasury to make gold kavachams for the new idols to be consecrated at its new temple in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.The construction work of the Lord Venkateswara temple at Ulwe in Navi Mumbai with donation support from Raymond Group is nearing completion. During the trust board meeting held in Feb, TTD chairman BR Naidu, following a discussion on the recommendations placed before it by the deputy executive engineer (jewellery section), jewellery appraiser, and the assistant sthapathy, accorded approval to draw 3 kg of gold and copper sheets worth about Rs 5 crore from the treasury section to be used for the armour (kavachams) of the main deity and sub-deities.The TTD board was informed that the gold will be used to form nine layers of gold malam for the main deity and sub-deities. As per prevailing market rates, the gold will be drawn from the TTD treasury along with 125 kg of 18-gauge copper sheets worth about ₹1.4 lakh. The gold plating work-linked labour costs will come to around ₹22 lakh. The board accorded a total approval of ₹5.1 crore.