July 20, 2013: Very soon Penuganchiprolu Tirupatamma thalli will have a diamond-studded golden crown. The presiding deity would be adorned with the crown after performing the necessary rituals. The endowments department officials at Hyderabad, however, are yet to give their clearance to take possession of the crown.

The then executive officer, Chandrasekhar Azad, conceived the idea of making a ‘vajra kireetam’ for the deity. The Endowments Department invited e-tenders to make the crown. For the first time, the Endowments Department involved a private organisation in making jewellery of a temple in the State.

The ‘kireetam’ is studded with 197.66 carat diamonds and 18 carat yellow metal has been used in making it. A three-member committee has to approve the crown. The committee would check whether the crown is made as per the design and specifications.

City-based Chandana Brothers, which emerged as successful bidder, manufactured the crown that weighs 2.256 kg. Initially it was planned to make the crown weighing 2 kg but the weight exceeded as it made in a dye casting method, said B. Srinivasa Rao of Chandana Brothers.

As many as 9,606 diamonds and numerous coloured stones were used in making the crown. The VS quality diamonds were used. The crown was certified by Mumbai-based Gemmological Institute of India, he explained.

When contacted, Temple Executive Officer N. Vijay Kumar said that the crown costs more than Rs.1.5 crore. The temple would take possession of the crown as soon as Endowments Commissioner gives permission, he said.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 20, 2013.