An organisation for the protection of heritage temples, the Divya Desa Parampariya Padhukappor Peravai (pilgrim centre heritage protection forum) today demanded that the ongoing reconstruction work at the Tirumala Hills in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh be stopped forthwith.

Despite protests, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, the temple administrators, were going ahead with the expansion programme, the Kancheepuram Vadhikesari Azhagagiya Manvala Jeeyar told reporters Chennai. Alleging that explosives were also being used to clear rocks, Forum treasurer Tirukotiyur Madhavan said if the activities continued it could cause irrepairable damage to the 'swayambu' (self-generated) idol of Lord Venkateswara.

The temple authorities have already demolished the 1000-pillar mandapam (stone pavilion) and were planning to pull down the  Periya Jeeyar Mutt, which was established by the propounder of Vishishta Dvaita philosophy Saint Ramanuja, who stayed in the mutt for several years, the forum has alleged.

Meanwhile, Sri Vainava Peravai (the Vaishnavite Forum) president T Bashya Ramanujam, who was also present when the Forum spoke to the reporters, proposed to hold a procession in Chennai on July 31 to protest the TTD's action.