Tirumala: Showcasing a remarkable blend of skill and devotion, Nalla Vijay, a handloom artist from Sirisilla, Telangana, has crafted a saree small enough to fit inside a matchbox. This intricate creation was offered to Lord Balaji at the Tirumala temple on Saturday morning.

Speaking to reporters outside the temple, Vijay shared, "Every year, we present silk fabrics to Vemulawada Sri Rajarajeshwari Amma and Lord Balaji at Tirumala. Our earlier works include innovative creations like a saree shaped like a ring, one resembling a dabbanam, a silver-threaded saree, and even a saree made from 200 grams of gold, worth ₹20 lakhs."

Detailing his latest offering, Vijay explained that the matchbox-sized saree spans approximately five-and-a-half meters in length and 48 inches in width. This extraordinary piece, showcasing his dedication and expertise, was completed over 15 days of meticulous weaving.

In a separate development, a recent vigilance report has unveiled significant irregularities within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the administrative body overseeing the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala. These issues reportedly occurred during the five-year rule of the YSRCP government. Among the findings was the misuse of break darshan privileges, with one lakh tickets distributed annually under the leadership of YV Subba Reddy.

During Reddy's tenure, over 4,00,000 break darshan tickets were issued, averaging 273 tickets daily. Many of these tickets were allegedly allocated based on recommendations from political figures, including former ministers Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and Roja.

Additionally, irregularities were uncovered in the procurement of essential items like rice, sugar, ghee, and cashews. Faulty purchasing practices and the acceptance of substandard goods, despite tenders specifying quality standards, reportedly caused substantial financial losses.