Hyderabad: Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam (TTD) officials are to 'disclose' the birthplace of Hindu deity Hanuman based on 'historic evidence', details of research and data obtained by a religious scholar.
With all historical and literary evidence and details compiled by Chidambara Shastry of Chirala, TTD is said to be poised to announce that Anjanadri on Tirumala is the birthplace of Hanuman, who Shastry claims had a Telugu origin.
Chidambara Shastry of Chirala in Prakasham district believes Anjanadri on Tirumala Hills was the actual birthplace of Hanuman. In 1972 he pursued PhD in Hindu mythology, focussing on the birthplace of Hanuman birthplace. Later, he presented his thesis and reports to TTD.
Shastry claims that he has gathered evidence that will corroborate his claim that Anjanadri is the birthplace of Hanuman. With his report and evidence, the TTD is all set to make the big announcement on Ram Navami.
Also read: TTD to declare Anjanadri as Lord Hanuman's birthplace on April 21
Terming other claims about the birthplace of the deity 'baseless', Chidambara Shastry believes the Hanuman statue in Kishkinda was not old enough to ascertain his origin.
Shastry also took up a pamphlet campaign and signatures to 'reveal' truth in this regard. Sriparashara Samhita a Sanskrit epic in Thalapathra form was translated by Shastry into Telugu.
He claims to have studied scriptures— Bhaavishothara Purana, Brahmanda Purana, and Skanda Purana, besides taking opinions from historians, researchers, and noted persons in literature.
TTD published an analysis in 1986 in Sapthagiri newspaper stating that people on Anjanadri were tribal Savaras. Referring to Hanuman informing about his maiden Lanka visit, the report gathered that 'Lanka' is a Telugu word. Sastry claims that his lifetime aim was to prove that Hanuman's birthplace is Anjandri and he belongs to the Telugu community.
Also read: Speaking books on Hanuman Chalisa and Bhagavad Gita
"My decades-long fight is getting a fruitful result and I plan to construct a temple at Japali Tirtham," says Sastry.
