The sapling that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao planted two years ago in the premises of the Chilkur Balaji temple as part of the Haritha Haram program has grown into a full tree now, and its leaves and flowers are being used regularly in the puja of Lord Venkateswara.
It is also helping to provide good shade.
The CM had launched the Haritha Haram program on July 3, 2015. He had performed a special puja at the temple that day along with his wife, and planted a sampangi (champak) sapling on the premises. The plant has now turned a full-grown tree, and in the daily puja for the Lord in the sanctum sanctorum its flowers and leaves are being used. Ever since the CM planted the sapling, the temple priests ensured that it was watered regularly and taken care of.
The saplings planted by other ministers and dignitaries that day have also become fully-grown and blooming trees. The forest department officials are also helping these trees grow and bloom.
The temple's chief priest Dr Soundarajan said that it was a great feeling for them to use the flowers and leaves from a sapling planted originally by the Chief Minister, in the archanas. He said that a tree guard was provided for the sapling. Since it was planted by the Chief Minister, even the devotees had a special respect for the tree and were getting inspired. He said that the Haritha Haram program was a good example of God having grace on good attempts made by humans.