*TIRUPATI BALAJI WAS A BUDDHIST SHRINE* ** *Dr. K. Jamanadas* A Revised and Enlarged Second Edition is under print.
Originally published in 1991 and well received by all circles, it had an international exposure, being present in the "Library of Congress" of United States and the Library of the British Museum. The book was out of print for a long time. The nature of Lord Venkatesvara has always been a matter of dispute for centuries. Some consider Him as Vishnu, some as Siva, some as Shakti, some as Skanda and some as Harihara. In fact, it was an old Buddhist Shrine, Murthi itself being Buddhist. The weapons on Him are not original but provided at a later date. He was a God of Tribal Buddhists and was vaishnavized by the saints and later sanskritized and brahminized by pundits to His present form, in same way as Vitthala of Pandharpur, Jagannatha of Puri, Ayyappa on Sabarimala etc. How this was brought about is explained with all historical and archeological evidences. Dr. K. Jamanadas is a well-known Ambedkarite author, who also wrote 'Decline and Fall of Buddhism', 'Devadasis: Ancient to Modern', 'Maratha Revolt Against Brahminism' etc. Rs. 300/- pp. 304, Hard Bound Prepublication price 200/- (including postage) Before 15th November 2008 Send M.O. to: Dr. K. Jamanadas, SANJIVAN PUBLICATIONS "Shalimar", Main Road, Chandrapur ‑ 442 402, India
