At the propitious hour of 5.22 am on Thursday, chosen by his trusted pundit and Vastu advisor, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao accompanied by his wife and other family members stepped into the new sprawling and magnificent official residence Pragati Bhavan.
The complex comprising of three new palatial building and two old one, was spread over an area of 10 acres. Built at a cost of more than Rs50 crore, the complex has more than 1,00,000 square feet of built up area including residence, Chief Minister’s camp office and a huge conference hall.
Amid the chanting of hymns from Hindu scriptures by the priests under the supervision of Chinna Jeeyar Swamy KCR couple entered the house. Before occupying his chair, KCR first made the Hindu seer Sri Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamy to adorn it. Only subsequently he sat on the chair. KCR’s son and Minister K Taraka Rama Rao, daughter and MPK Kavita, nephew and Minister T Harish Rao Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali were also present on the occasion of “Griha Parvesam” or house warming.
Clad in a white Dhoti and wrapped in a white piece of cloth on his chest KCR performed special prayers conducted by a team of Pundits. KCR’s wife was also present during the rituals.
After occupying the house he also went around the other parts of the complex including his office and the conference hall named Jana Hita (Public Interest).
The new complex was built on a land adjacent to the earlier official residence and camp office of the Chief Minister built specially in 2005 for the then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy.
But as KCR, a ardent believe in Vatsu Shastara found it unsuitable, he never stepped into the camp office fearing the ill effects. YSR had died in a helicopter crash in September 2009 while staying in this house.
After extensive search his team zeroed in on adjacent land belonging to the State IAS Officers Association for building a new official residence and camp office.