The Srisailam temple management decided to build a 150-foot statue of Ardhanarisvara, a form of Lord Shiva combined with Parvati. This huge cement statue will be placed in Nakshatravanam. The temple’s trust board discussed this in a recent meeting to boost devotion and spirituality among visitors. Experts in Vedas and architecture will advise on the statue’s construction. As part of Dharma prachara activities, the temple will gift sarees or loincloths donated by devotees to the Chenchu tribe involved in promoting dharma. The temple also opened a Spiritual Library in Mallikarjuna Sadan Hall. It holds about 2,400 books on Puranas, itihasas, and devotional literature. Trust Board Chairman P. Ramesh Naidu said the old Tirupati Satram building near Gangadhara Mandapam will be rebuilt as a Spiritual Library and museum. Books from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and others are available for devotees. More books, newspapers, and devotional magazines will be added. To enhance security, the trust approved a vigilance committee to stop propaganda of other religions and prevent entry of liquor or non-vegetarian food into the temple town. A Deputy Superintendent of Police will supervise security and the Special Protection Force for the temple. A bomb disposal squad will also be set up to check visitors thoroughly. These steps aim to strengthen devotion, knowledge, and safety at the sacred Srisailam temple. Published - December 28, 2025 03:35 pm IST