Naidu’s 16th Silk Robe Offering At Tirumala Today
CM N. Chandrababu Naidu will offer silk robes to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, marking his 16th such offering during his tenure.
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu would make his 16th silk robe offering to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on Tuesday, a feat unmatched by any other CM when the state government’s offering enters its 44th year.
Naidu will present the pattu vastrams to the deity on behalf of the state government during the annual Salakatla Brahmotsavams. The offering will be made after the Dwajarohanam, which marks the beginning of the festival.
The tradition began in 1983 when then chief minister NT Rama Rao introduced this system on the lines of the government’s offering to Lord Rama at Bhadrachalam during Sri Rama Navami.
Successive CMs continued the practice, including Congress leaders M Chenna Reddy, N Janardhan Reddy and Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy. Naidu, who first became CM in 1995, has made the offering during most of his terms. In 2003, the TTD trust board chairman presented the robes after Naidu survived a Naxalite attack at Alipiri.
In 2004, the presentation was shifted from Garuda Seva to Dwajarohanam to avoid difficulties caused by the heavy pilgrim turnout on Garuda Seva day. YS Rajasekhara Reddy followed the tradition from 2004 to 2008, presenting the silk robes on the first day of the Brahmotsavams. The practice has continued since then, with K Rosaiah and N Kiran Kumar Reddy following it.
After the state bifurcation, Naidu continued the offering from 2014 to 2019, while YS Jagan Mohan Reddy continued it from 2019 to 2024. The practice continued despite the pandemic restrictions. After returning as CM in 2024, Naidu resumed the offering and presented the silk robes in 2024 and 2025. Tuesday’s offering will take his total to 16, the highest by any CM.