Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is gearing up for the sixth phase of ‘Managudi’ mass temple festival slated to be held across the four southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on November 6.
The arrangements for the sixth phase ‘Managudi’ got off to a ceremonious start with the preparation of the sacred Akshathas (holy rice) in Tirupati on Sunday. TTD JEO Pola Bhaskar formally launched the programme at the Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad office located at Old Huzur Office after a special puja.
About 6000 kg of rice, 100 kg of turmeric powder and 225 kg of ghee was used to prepare 120 bags of Akshathas to be distributed in over 54,300 temples spread across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
A team of Srivari Sevaks hailing from Davanagere in Karnataka took part in the preparation of the sacred Akshathas along with the TTD officials. The Karnataka-based volunteers exuded happiness with the decision of the TTD to extend the ‘Managudi’ to the state of Karnataka as well.
Noting that close to 200 temples spread across Karnataka would take part in the TTD’s ‘Managudi’ the Karnataka volunteers assured the TTD officials that they would strive hard to bring about awareness among the citizens of Karnataka on the importance of the ‘Managudi’ to ensure the programme is held successfully at all the temples on November 6.
Meanwhile, Mr Pola Bhaskar noted that the ‘Managudi’ is a prestigious mass temple festival initiated by the TTD in association with the AP endowments department in 2012.
“The primary motto of this programme is to restore the prime position of temples which have been the centres of socio-cultural life since ages in our country with the participation of the public. So far, we have successfully organised five programmes and we are set to celebrate the sixth one on the auspicious occasion of Karthika Pournami on November 6. This year, we will be also distributing “Holy Flags” to all the temples as a part of this mass programme”, the JEO added.
Senior officials of the TTD and the Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad took part in the programme on Sunday.
