Hyderabad: The sapling that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao planted two years ago as part of the Haritha Haram programme, has become a full fledged tree now and its leaves and flowers are being used regularly in the Puja of Sri Venkateswara Swamy of the Chilkur Balaji Temple.
The aim of the Chief Minister that saplings should be planted and protected in the places of worships like Churches, Temples, Mosques as well as in the forest lands, residential areas and other habitations. The Chief Minister had launched the Haritha Haram programme on July 3, 2015.
He performed special puja at Sri Venkateswara temple in Chilkur along with his wife. The Chief Minister also planted a Sampangi (The Gold Flower, Champak) sapling in the temple premises. The plant has become a full-grown tree and is giving flowers and leaves. In the daily puja to the Lord in the Sanctum sanctorum, flowers and leaves of this tree are being used.
Ever since the Chief Minister planted the sapling, the temple priests have ensured that it was watered regularly and they took care of the plant.
The flowers and leaves are used in the Archana. The saplings planted by other ministers and other dignitaries that day have also become full bloom trees. The entire temple premises with these trees has become a pleasant place. It added to the ambience of the temple. The forest department officials are also helping these trees grow and bloom.
Sri Chilkur Balaji Temple’s Chief Priest Dr Rangarajan said that it was great feeling for them to use flowers and leaves in Archana from a sapling planted by the CM.
He said a tree guard is provided for the Sampangi tree. Since it was planted by the CM, even the devotees have a special respect to the tree and they are getting inspired. He said in response to the CM’s call, saplings were planted in several temples and other places of worship in the State.
Rangarajan said the trees and plants in Chilkur are also spreading aroma all around. He said everyone should take inspiration from this and plant saplings in the temples and nourish them. He said that Haritha Haram programme is a good example of God having grace on good attempts made by the humans. (INN)