Today's Tirumala News..

July 03, 2009 (Friday)

Headlines

Varuna yagam to propitiate rain god

For the second consecutive year, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy launched “ashtottara shatakundatmaka maha varuna yagam” under the auspices of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to propitiate rain god at the Exhibition Grounds here on Thursday morning.

In keeping with the name of the yagam, the TTD constructed 108 fire places (homa kunda) where an equal number of its priests will perform the pooja till the forenoon of Saturday.

Seven main “homa kunda” were built on a higher pedestal overlooking two platforms where the rest of the fire places came up.

An aesthetically decorated idol of Lord Venkateswara which was brought from Tirumala was installed on the higher plain.

It was draped in gold ornaments.

The Chief Minister offered prayers to the idol and participated in the initial rituals amidst chanting of Vedas by the large group of priests led by chief priests of TTD A.V.

Ramana Dikshitulu and P. Narasimha Dikshitulu. Addressing the gathering later, he said the event was organised in the hope of bountiful rains like in the last five years.

Mr. Ramana Dikshitulu expressed satisfaction that the yagam was launched on an auspicious day.

The State received good rain after it was performed last year.

He said the pandits involved in the rituals were experts in Vedas and agamas.

They would be assisted in chanting by 108 Sadhaka acharyas.

Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy, Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Laxmaiah, TTD chairman Adikeshavulu Naidu and Executive Officer I.V.R. Krishna Rao were present.