Tirumala, September 2, 2013: The damage to the granite toe of the Lord’s foot situated at Narayanagiri padalu amidst thick Tirumala forests subjected the authorities of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to anxious moments on Sunday.

Narayanagiri Padalu, which is also popularly known as Srivari padalu, is situated atop the imposing Narayanagiri hills and is widely believed to be the ‘sacred imprint’ of none other than the presiding deity when he made his first appearance on the earth. Mythology also has with it that it was on these hills that the presiding deity first set his feet while descending on to the ‘Bhoolokam’ from his heavenly abode. Immense importance is attached to the place which is visited by hundreds of devotees every day.

Tirumala based TTDs Joint Executive Officer K.S. Srinivasa Raju who immediately rushed to the spot told the media that devotees ignorant of the fact might have broken coconuts which possibly could have lead to the disfigurement of the granite imprint. Further he said that the management would soon arrive at a decision whether or not to allow the devotees to continue with the practise of breaking coconuts at the place after holding consultations with temple priests.

Source: The Hindu, September 2, 2013