Tirupati-Brahmostavaalu-Feb-2019
NTV News – JEO Interview Audio File :
TIRUPATI, FEBRUARY 25, 2019
Priests offer harati ahead of performing Dhwajarohanam, signalling the launch of annual Brahmotsavam at the
Sri Kalyana Venkateswara temple
Grand start to Brahmotsavams at Srinivasa Mangapuram
Elaborate arrangements made for the nine-day event, says TTD EO
‘Dhwajarohanam’ marked the grand start to the annual Brahmotsavams at the TTD’s Sri Kalyana Venkateswara temple in Srinivasa Mangapuram near here on Sunday. Prayers were offered to the ‘Garuda Dhwaja Patam’ (sacred flag carrying the image of Garuda) ahead of its hoisting atop the temple flag post in the auspicious hours between 9 a.m. and 9.18 a.m.
The temple became famous as the deity here is a near replica of the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara.
Renovation
According to scriptures, the village in 1540 A.D., then known as ‘Srinivasapuram’, was endowed to Tallapaka poets and Annamacharya’s grandson Chinna Tirumalaiah renovated the dilapidated temple, according to an inscription dated 22nd March 1540. Ever since the TTD took over the temple from a priest Sundararaja Swamy, festivals are being conducted on the scale and lines of Tirumala.
TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal said that elaborate arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the nine-day event and invited the devout to participate in large numbers.
Legend
Sri Balaji Swamy, who is the Kankana Bhattar (presiding priest) for the festival, recalled the legend that those witnessing the Dhwajarohanam, Garuda Seva, Brahma Ratham, Snapana Tirumanjanam and Chakra Snanam would attain salvation.
B Lakshmikantham, IAS Retired 