President's Visit to TIRUMALA

Tirumala, Sep 09, 2012 (P.R.O): The First Citizen of the Nation, H.E. President of India Sri Pranab Mukherjee offered prayers in the world renowned famous Hindu Shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on Sunday, during his maiden visit after assuming the highest office.

On his arrival, the Hon’ble President and his entourage were accorded a grand reception by the temple priests with traditonal Is

thikapal amidst the chanting of vedic hymns and the AP Governor H.E.Sri ESL Narasimhan and AP CM Sri N.Kiran Kumar Reddy escorted him to the sanctum sanctorum on Sunday.

Earlier, the President followed the temple tradition, by offering prayers first in the Swami Pushkarini and later in temple of Sri BhuVarahaswamy before heading to main shrine.

Inside the sanctum sanctorum, one of the chief priests of Tirumala temple Sri AV Ramana Dikshitulu explained to the Hon’ble President about the significance of Lord and the jewels adorned to the presiding deity. The President of the nation spent few minutes praying before the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara and later reached Ranganayakula Mandapam where he was accorded Vedasirvachanam by temple priests.

SAKSHATKARA VAIBHAVOTSAVAM AT SRINIVASA MANGAPURAM FROM 24 TH TO 26 TH JUNE

TIRUPATI, JUNE 20: The three-day annual Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavams will take place at the temple of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy in Srinivasa Mangapuram from June 24 th to June 26 th in a grand manner.

This festival is considered to be as important on par with the annual brahmotsavams. The temple administration of TTD has all set to celebrate this festival in a big way this year considering its significance.

As per historical evidences, the Sasanams engraved ‘on the right door-jamb wall of the entrance of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Mangapuram village, dated 22nd March, 1510A.D., the Temple was brought to worship by doing “Jeernoddarana” by Chinna Thirumalacharyulu, the grand son of Saint Poet Thallapaka Annamcharyulu

In 1940, an Archaka by name Sundararaja, from Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu has came to the Village Mangapuram, saying that Lord Srinivasa has appeared in his dream and told to bring the temple to past glory which was in dilapidated condition by performing Dhoopa Deepa Naivedhya Aradhana and disappeared”.

Archaka Sundararaja then cleared all the debris in and around the Temple with the help of village elders and did First Pooja on 11th July 1940 ‘Ashada Suddha Sasti Day’, said to be the day or muhurtham as ordered by the Lord Himself in his dream.

To mark the auspicious day of revival of nitya pooja kainkaryams as decided by Lord Himself, TTD has been conducting this festival as ‘Sakshatkara Vaibhavamu’ on Ashada Suddha Sasti Day in the month of June/July of every year.

The three day festival begins on 24 th of June with temple cleansing programme – “Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam” on 21 st June. Following this ritual there will be Tiruppavada seva on 21 st June. However TTD has also cancelled Arjitha Kalyanotsavam and Arjitha Brahmotsavam on these three days in the temple. On the first day the important events include Snapana Tirumanjanam in the morning, Unjal Seva in the evening with Tiruchi Utsavam in the night. While on the second day there will be Hanumantha Vahanam procession in the evening and on the last day the Lord takes pleasure ride on Garuda Vahana marking the completion of the three-day festival.

Proposal to recommend recognition of LORD VENKATESHWARA TEMPLE in Tirupati as a monument of National importance........

(ZEE News Wednesday, May 09, 2012)
  Hyderabad: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is considering a proposal to recommend recognition of the famous Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati as a monument of national importance in view of its archaeological, epigraphical and historical background and cultural significance.

The proposal is being considered by the ASI and it is likely to make the recommendation to the Union Ministry of Culture, K K Sharma, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist of ASI, said.

He, however, said a timeframe cannot be put on when the proposal is likely to be made formally to the government as the process takes time.

Declaring the ancient temple, located atop the Tirumala hills, as a protected monument by the ASI would go a long way in conserving its archaeological value and heritage, Sharma said.

The matter could be expedited if the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), the governing body for the temple, agrees to the proposal for making the temple as a protected monument, he observed.


The ASI feels that dismantling of the historical thousand pillar mantapam at Tirumala and the gold-plating of the outer walls of the 'garbha griha', where inscriptions exist, as per the 'Ananta Swarnamayam' scheme are against archaeological norms.

Separately, the ASI, in an RTI reply to B K S R Ayyangar, a social activist based at Eluru in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, has favoured several steps to ensure the temple's protection.

The petitioner had sought information over action initiated by the ASI regarding recognition of Lord Venkateswara Temple as a monument under ASI.

In the reply, the ASI said the temple may be considered for protection by ASI as a monument of national importance and also talked about dismantling of the thousand pillared mantapam as a violation.

Further, it favoured that any activity at the temple which is related to the archaeological aspect be informed to the Archaeological Survey of India and Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh to review the pros and cons as well the archaeological norms thoroughly and recommend the necessary inputs for execution.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) may provide a space for archaeology by nominating the Director General or representative of ASI and Department of Archaeology and Museums as a member in the Trust Board which takes policy decisions for the benefit of devotees and the temple to prevent any action violating archaeological/heritage norms at the policy level itself, the ASI said.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam may provide the fund for protecting cultural heritage and monuments which are in need of attention, it said.

Observing that the temple is visited by about 50,000 devotees per day on an average and about four lakhs during festivities, the ASI commended the way TTD is dealing with all aspects of the temple administration.

It is necessary to have an archaeological wing to review and recommend suitable procedure in view of archaeological norms wherever necessary, ASI said.

"The archaeological wing is to be adequately equipped with technical team headed by a Director. The decision for betterment of the facilities for the devotees are to be reviewed there only to avoid delay. Since, a museum also exists behind the main temple all branches are to be brought under the archaeological wing. This may solve the problem of violating the laws to some extent," it said.

DIAL YOUR EO

Tirumala, 02 March 2012(P.R.O) "With an aim to propagate bhakti among the people, TTD will organise Srinivasa Kalyanams not only in the important cities of the country but also across the globe", said Sri LV Subramanyam, Executive Officer of TTD.

In his early marks before the commencement of monthly "Dial your EO" programme which held in Tirumala on Friday at Annamaiah Bhavan he said, over two lakh people witnessed Srinivasa Kalyanams which held at Khatmandu in the country of Nepal on February 25. "The head of the country and ambassador were very much impressed with this celestial marraige and even asked us to perform every year. They said they have already following some darshan and queue line mechanisms adopted by TTD in their Pasupathinath temple. They have also requested us to give suggestions to set up Kalyanamandapam and Veda Pathashala in their country", EO said.

The EO said TTD is mulling to perform series of Srinivasa Kalyanams in USA also and we will send a team of officers soon to America to list out the places to perform these celestial marriages, he added. "In the recent times even several foreigners have been visiting Tirumala and offering prayers in the temple. Very recently we had devotees from Japan, Itally and Russia who also sought TTD to organise Srinivasa Kalyanams in their country also which is a welcoming gesture", EO maintained.

Later he said, TTD has decided to renovate its two museums located at Tirupati and Tirumala and invited the advices of experts in that field. "Very soon we will take up the face lift works of these two museums', EO said.

Sri Subramanyam also said, TTD has sought the permission of ASI to take up some developmental works in Lord Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple located at Srinivasa Mangapuram. "Thousands of devotees converged and witnessed the annual brahmotsavams at Srinivasa Mangapuram during last month. Keeping in view the day by day increase in pilgrim influx we have decided to take up some developmental activities for which we have sought the permission of ASI", he added.

The EO said, the pilgrim influx to Tirumala has been increasing by many folds every year. "TTD can facilitate good, satisfactory darshan to the pilgrims only if the number does not exceed 40thousand to 50thousands on any given day. But if the influx crosses 60thousand plus mark it has becoming difficult task for TTD to provide satisfactory darshan to the visiting pilgrims. In order to provide good darshan, TTD also have to follow restricting pilgrim numbers to fifty thousands like in Vaishnavo Devi temple. But whether people will accept this sytem for TTD is a million dollor question. So I appeal to the people to write letters to EO, TTD, Tirupati giving their opinions regarding this issue which is going to be very crucial in the coming years", he added.

Later addressing a pilgrim caller Prasad from Tirupati, EO said TTD is already in the process of developing Dhyan mandirs in Paruveta Mandapam and at Tarigonda Vengamamba Samadhi areas in Tirumala. Answering another caller Anjaneyulu from Hyderabad, the EO said TTD will look into his suggestion of setting up lifts and european toilets in Varahaswamy and other guest houses for the sake of aged pilgrims.

JEO Tirumala Sri KS Srinivasa Raju, CVSO Sri MK Singh and other officials of TTD were also present.

TTD TRUST BOARD MEETING

TTD TRUST BOARD MEETING

Tirumala, 11 Dec 2011(P.R.O) TTD Trust Board Meeting held under the chairmanship of Sri K.Bapi Raju at Annamayya Bhavan, Tirumala on Sunday. The following decisions were taken:

1. Physically challenged and aged people will be allowed for darshan through mahadwaram on the important days of January 1, Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Dwadasi on Jan 5 and Jan 6 respectively in limited numbers. (The number will be announced later).

2. Giving priority to the pilgrims who come on foot for darshan especially on the two auspicious days of Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Dwadasi, TTD has decided to allow the pilgrims in Rs.300 Pratyeka Pravesha Darshan (Special Entry Darshan) queue line on payment of Rs.100 only. (This will apply to those pilgrims who come on foot and prefer to go for Rs.300 darshan. For others they can go in Divya Darshan as usual). The pilgrims who would like to avail this new previlege can get the darshan tickets in e-Darshan counters across the country with a ceiling limit of 30thousand tickets each on January 5 and January 6.

3. The Sarva darshan for pilgrims will commence by 4am on all these three important days. The VIPs who aspire to have darshan on these days should send a list of their family members not exceeding five before 25th December.

4. A cellphone deposit counter will be coming up in the old annadanam complex. A stringent rule will be amended soon by TTD on mobiles and electronic gadgets keeping in view the security reasons.

5. A committee headed by Endowments Commissioner Sri G Balaramaiah with Tirupati JEO Sri P Venkatrami Reddy as Convenor and other TTD board members as members will monitor the recruitment process in TTD.

TTD board members Sri Muthyam Reddy, Sri R Surya Prakasha Rao and Smt Rajeshwari, ex-officio members Sri KV Ramanachary, Sri G Balaramaiah, TTD EO Sri LV Subramanyam, JEOs Sri KS Srinivasa Raju and Sri P.Venkat Reddy were also present.

Tirumala Temple Closed for Lunar Eclipse

Tirumala , Dec 03 :

Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala will remain closed from 12 noon to 10.30 pm on December 10 in view of lunar eclipse.

The pilgrims will be allowed for Sarva darshan between 6.30 am and 11.30 am on the day of eclipse.

The temple will reopen at 10.30 pm and Pu-nyahavachanam, Suddhi and night Kainkarayams will be conducted.

The festival of Kartheeka Deepotsavam will commence by 11.30 pm where in about 630 (ghee)lamps will be lit inside the sanctum sanctorum as well as in important places outside the temple.

The TTD has cancelled Arjitha Sevas like Kalyanotsavam, Unjal Seva, Arjitha Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam and Sahasra Deepal-ankara Seva on December 10.

Sarva darshan will be restored on December 11 after 7 a.m.

2 Brahmotsavams from next year

TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to organise Srivari Brahmotsavams twice a year from 2012.Speaking to mediapersons on Thursday night, TTD executive officer LV Subramanyam said the first Brahmotsavams would be performed in the month of Phalguna of Telugu calendar. The event will be held from March 10 to 18. The second Brahmotsavams will be organised in the month of Bhadrapada that is in September/October. The second Brahmotsavams will be called Shanti Brahmotsavams, which is meant for world peace and harmony. There will not be Dhwajarohanam and Dhwajavarohanam for the second Brahmotsavams. The second event will not be celebrated if there is Brahmotsavams of Adhika Masam in a year, which occurs once in three years. A final decision on the proposal will be taken at the ensuing TTD Board meeting, he said.The TTD has decided to perform Srivari Kalyanotsavam in Mumbai on January 21 and 22, 2012. It will also construct a Balaji temple in Mumbai for which land has already been identified, he said.

TTD GEARS UP FOR KARTEEKA BRAHMOTSAVAMS FROM NOV 21

Tirupati, 24 Oct 2011(P.R.O) After successfully performing the annual Salakatla Srivari Brahmotsavams in Tirumala, the TTD is gearing up for annual Kartika Brahmotsavams of Goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi in the temple town of Tiruchanoor which is slated to take place from November 21 to November 29.

Reviewing with all heads of departments of TTD on Monday in the conference hall of TTD administrative building in Tirupati, the Executive Officer Sri LV Subramanyam called upon the officials to conduct the mega religious even in a grand manner on par with Srivari Brahmotsavams.

He has instructed the engineering offcials not to compromise in erecting gigantic colourful electrical pandals during brahmotsavams. He also directed the Garden department to come out with eye-catching mythological themes while setting up floral expo as in Tirumala.

The EO also instructed the TTD Vigilance and district police to beef up the secruity during brahmotsavams especially on the two important days of Gajavahanam and Panchami Teertham as there will be heavy influx of pilgrims on these auspicious days.

Meanwhile the Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam will be performed in the Tiruchanoor temple on 15th of November, with Ankurarpanam on 20th of November. The nine day even commences with Dhwajarohanam on 21 st November followed by Chinna Sesha Vahanam in the evening. On November 22 there will be Peddasesha Vahanam in the morning and Hamsa Vahanam in the evening. On November 23 Mutyapu Pandiri in the morning followed by Simha vahanam in the evening. On November 24 the Goddess enthralls the pilgrims on Kalpavriksha Vahanam in the morning and on Hanumantha vahanam in the evening. On the fifth day that is on November 25 the goddess takes pleasure ride on Pallaki utsavam in the morning and on mighty Gaja Vahanam in the evening. On November 26 morning there will be Suryaprabha vahanam and in the evening there will be Chandraprabha vahanam. On November 28 there will be Rathotsavam in the morning and Ashwa vahanam in the evening. On the last day morning marks the grandeur of Panchami Teertham and concludes with Dhwaja Avarohanam in the same day evening.

TTD has also made special arrangements with RTC to operate ten buses from Tirumala to Tiruchanoor with 60 trips each day to enable pilgrims to participate in the utsavams. The HDPP, Dasa, Annamacharya and Alwar Divya Prabandha Projects of TTD are organising special cultural programmes for the festival.

Joint EOs of TTD, Sri KS Srinivasa Raju, Sri Venkatrami Reddy and other department heads, police, RTC, Panchayat and revenue officials were also present in the review meeting.

Tirumala gears up for nine-day Sri T.T.Brahmotsavams

Tirupati , Sep 26 :

With only one day left for the initiation of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is fully geared up for the mega event.

The temple administration has made extensive decoration and illumination works atop the hill abode, with welcome arches and images of Lord Vishnu and some important deities of Hindu mythology.

Officials of the garden wing are going to arrange an exclusive exhibition with flowers, fruits and vegetables, displaying the images of various gods in the sprawling area in front of S.V. Museum.

Tirupati urban SP, Mr J. Prabhakar Rao, is monitoring security arrangements.

Two additional SPs, 16 DSPs, 60 circle inspectors, 150 sub-inspectors, 300 head constables, over 1,000 constables and 600 women police, 800 home guards, a dozen special parties, reserve forces and greyhounds will be deployed at all vital locations.

In all, 15 outposts were arranged TTD authorities in coordination with the APSRTC made special arrangements for the smooth flow of traffic on the serpentine ghat roads.

The TTD has already issued instructions prohibiting two-wheelers on the ghat roads on this particular day.

Barricades and queue lines are set up along the four mada streets of the temple, to facilitate thousands of devotees to have a glimpse of the celestial vahanams during their processions.

Bicycle Hubs at Tirumala for pilgrims

Tirumala , Sep 26 :

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is starting ‘bicycle hubs' at various points on Tirumala in a phased manner for commuting by pilgrims from one place to another on the hill.

Pilgrims can pedal from from one place to another, and leave the vehicle at the nearest hub.

It plans to purchase 200 or 400 cycles and keep them at three or four ideal locations, allowing pilgrims to commute one place to another place and leave the cycle in that area hub.

As part of the plan, two dozen bicycles were purchased and brought to Tirumala on Monday.

District collector Solomon Arogyaraj and TTD joint executive officer KS Srinivasa Raju distributed the cycles to Tirupati Urban J Prabhakar Rao, Tirumala deputy superintendent of police Umamaheswara Sarma and some other policemen.

Chief vigilance and security officer MK Singh, additional VGO Shivakumar Reddy, superintendent engineer Ramesh Reddy and others went cycling from the GNC tollgate to the temple.

Srinivasa Raju said Tirumala was facing an increasing threat of pollution with tens of thousand of vehicles being operated every day round the clock.

“The TTD is taking steps to protect the environment and this is the first time it has banned two-wheelers to Tirumala on the Garuda Seva day, the fifth day of the annual Srivari Brahmotsavams, which attracts lakhs of people.

We also imposed total ban on vehicular movement, particularly private jeeps and taxis, on the hill,'' he said.

"Premier educational institutions use cycles for internal transport and in several other developed countries bicycles are used more for commuting short distances," the JEO explained.

The TTD move has surprised local people who said till now the TTD had cracked whip on those bringing bicycles for their children and even registered cases against them

ANNUAL PAVITHROTSAVAM IN SRI PADMAVATHI AMMAVARI TEMPLE

ANNUAL PAVITHROTSAVAM IN SRI PADMAVATHI AMMAVARI TEMPLE

Tiruchanur, 11 Sep 2011(P.R.O) On the second day of Annual Pavithrotsavam in Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Pavithras, the garlands made from special thread were taken in a procession and used to decorate Goddess Padmavathi inside The Temple on Sunday.

Sri K.Bapi Raju, Chairman TTDs, Sri K.S.Srinivasa Raju, Joint Executive Officer, Sri Gopalakrishna, DyEO(PAT), Sri Venugopal, AEO, Temple staff and others were present.

The Important Days of Brahmotsavams (2011)

The Important Days of Brahmotsavams (2011)
29-09-2011 Thursday Dhwajarohanam
03-10-2011 Monday Garudotsavam
04-10-2011 Tuesday Golden Chariot
06-10-2011 Thursday Rathotsavam
07-10-2011 Friday Chakrasnanam and Dhwaja Avarohanam

Note:

1.Advance Booking of Accommodation is cancelled during Annual Brahmotsavam period (29-09-2011 to 07-10-2011)

2.Regular quota of Sudarshanam is reduced to 50% during Annual Brahmotsavam Period.

TTD to focus on pilgrim accommodation

Tirumala , Sep01 :

The new board of trustees of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, at its maiden meeting held here on Saturday, resolved to increase the accommodation for pilgrims visiting the hill shrine and to revive the TV studio in Hyderabad.

The meeting, presided over by board chairman Kanumuri Bapiraju, placed on record its deep appreciation of the efforts and decisions of the Specified Authority which the board replaced. The board spent time getting a grasp of issues concerning the administration and needs of devotees.

Talking with reporters after the meeting, Bapiraju, who looked different without his trademark mustache, said they were very appreciative of the work done by Specified Authority.

Our main focus will be on improving the accommodation for the visiting pilgrims. The TTD has already started renovating two blocks of guest houses and the pilgrim amenities complex on Tirumala, and there are six more such blocks needing renovation.

We want to approach firms of international standards for taking up the renovation work on `no-profit, no-loss’ basis, and complete it by the end of the current year,’’ he said.

Necessary arrangements are being made for the annual Brahmotsavams commencing towards the end of this month and the board decided to bring out TTD diaries and calendars earlier than it used to be done in the past.

Nearly half of the calendars and diaries would be released during the Brahmotsavams, he said.

Assuring that the board would work as cohesive unit, he said it would take any criticisim of it in sportive spirit and make an introspection to work in a transparent manner.

Executive officer and member-secretary LV Subrahmanyam, briefing the media on the board’s decisions, said the board decided to print 10 lakh calendars and four lakh diaries, and release half of them on September 29.

“The board appreciated the good work done by the disbanded specified authority.

It also lauded the recruitment procedure adopted recently and decided to seek legal opinion for recruitment of 210 security guards in TTD with Intermediate-qualified youth from Chittoor district.’’

The board also resolved to appoint a committee, with a board member on it, for Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC), the broadcasting arm of the TTD.

It also decided to restart the SVBC studio in Hyderabad in collaboration with Mana TV.

``The needed technical arrangements are being made.

The studio will help us bring out feature programmes.

The studio is being started in Hyderabad again to enable actors and experts to participate in the programmes,’’ Subrahmanyam said.

The SVBC studio in Hyderabad was wound up when the channel’s headquarters was shifted from Hyderabad to Tirupati nearly two years ago.

By another decision the board sought a detailed report on the educational and health institutions being run by the TTD to be presented at the next board meeting.

``The board sought the report to study and make necessary suggestions for improving the institutions and make them centres of excellence,’’ the EO explained.

Board members C Mutyam Reddy, R Suryaprakasa Rao and P Rajeswari Devi, endowment commissioner J Balaramaiah, principal secretary, revenue (endowments) KV Ramanachary and TTD JEO KS Srinivasa Raju were also present.

CHATURVEDA HAVANAM COMPLETES WITH PURNAHUTHI

Tirumala, 25 July 2011(P.R.O) : The six-day Chaturveda havanam organised by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams completed on a religious note with Purnahuti in Tirumala on Monday.

After the havanam speaking to media persons TTD EO Sri LV Subramanyam said, this havanam is also a part of Hindu Sanat...ana Dharma prachara mission taken up by TTD. "Ancient Vedas term this Chaturveda havanam as superior one of all homams since Rig, Yajur, Sama and Adharvana vedas will be recited from a single platform by the vedic pundits for the well being of humanity as well as for a transparent and able pro-public administration", he added.

"TTD has been performing this Yagam since Last November soon after the completion of Nitya Veda Parayanam in Tirumala. So far two homams have been completed one in the auspicious period of Uttarayana and another in Dakshinayana. This is the third-phase of homam where in 30 vedic pundits took part in this havanam. TTD is contemplating to perform this homam in various places in future as a part to promote our Hindu Sanatana Dharma", he maintained.

Addressing the occasion, Dharmagiri Veda Pathashala Principal Sri KVSS Avadhani said, "Lord Venkateswara is known as "Veda Purusha" as the Vedas consider him as the right person to accept Yaga Phalam (the benefits of Homam) among the Trinity. Therefore Performing this havanam in the holy place of Tirumala is undoubtedly best choice. With this havanam we will be blessed by Mukkoti Devathas(Three crore deities) of Hindu Sanatana Dharma with prosperity being bestowed on us by them", he said.

TTD Chief Vigilance and Security Officer Sri MK Singh, VGO Sri Venkataratnam, Spl.Gr.Dy.E.O. Sri Lakshmikantham, Higher Vedic Studies Spl. Officer Sri Srirama Murthy, Central Dharmic Advisory Council member Sri Potturi Venkateswara Rao and others were also present.

THIRD PHASE CHATURVEDA HAVANAM BEGINS IN TIRUMALA

Tirumala, 20 July 2011(P.R.O) Third phase of six-day Chaturveda Havanam began on a religious note in Tirumala on Wednesday at Kalyana Vedika near Papavinasanam road+. TTD Joint executive officer Dr.N.Yuvraj began this homam which is considered to be most pious of all homams and is perf...ormed for the wellbeing of entire humanity.

With a mission to promote, propagate and preserve Hindu Sanatana Dharma TTD has began this homam during last year and the first homam was performed at Tirumala in November last during Dakshinayana period and for the second time in the month of January during the celestial period of Uttarayanam. Ususally this ritual is performed marking the successful completion of forty-day nitya veda parayanam.

The present homam is also being performed in Uttarayanam period from July 20 to July 25 for six days. In this Chaturveda Havanam, the vedic scholars will chant the vedic hymns from Rig, Yajur, Sama and Adharva vedas, all at a time, which is considered to be most auspicious for the prosperity of entire humanity.

On 24th July renowned vedic scholar Sri M.Dattatreya Shastry will address the gathering over the importance of the Chaturveda Havanam. The programme will conclude with Purnahuti on July 25 where in TTD top brass officials will take part.

Higher Vedic Studies special officer SriSriRamamurthy, Dharamgiri Vedapathashala Principal Sri K.Subramanyam and others were also present.

New ‘DHVAJASTAMBHAM’ for Tiruchanur temple

New ‘DHVAJASTAMBHAM’ for Tiruchanur temple
Tirupati , June 21:

The spiritual process was set in motion on Tuesday for the consecration of the new ‘dhwajasthambham’ being installed in the temple of Goddess Padmavathi at Tiruchanur.

To signal the start of the four-day ritual to be performed in this connection, the priests performed ‘ankurarpana’(preliminary rituals for the consecration of the huge 35-foot dhwajasthambham).

The pole replaces the one which had been standing in the temple for the last several decades.

The replacement became necessary as the decades old pole reportedly developed deep cracks and causing a serious concern to the temple authorities over its safety.

Once the TTD decided to erect a new dhwajasthambham, it took more than a month for the authorities concerned to get the new timber scientifically cured and also to get the required gold coverings hammered out at a special workshop put up for the purpose where expert craft persons worked in full swing.

Nearly 13 kg of pure ‘aparanji gold’ (24 carat gold) was said to have been used for fabricating the gold-coated copper sheets to be fastened all around the pole.

Now that the ‘ankurarpanam’ was performed, for the next two days the priests would be conducting the other allied rituals such as homams, Kalakarshana, etc.

at the ‘yagasala’ specially put up in the temple.

The fete would reach a grand finale on Friday with ‘poornahuthi’ and ‘samprokshana’ consecration ceremony, performed to the newly installed flag post. Those who participated in the ‘ankurarpana’ were the TTD Executive Officer L.V. Subramanyam, Joint E.O. Yuvaraj, Deputy EO Gopalakrishna and others.