TTD Begins Refresher Training For Archakas, Veda Scholars In Tirupati
The initiative aims to strengthen understanding of Agamic practices, daily worship procedures, and traditional temple customs and familiarise participants with contemporary inputs relevant to temple administration and ritual performance: Reports
TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Wednesday began a training programme for archakas, paricharakas and Veda parayanadars aimed at improving the quality, discipline and uniformity of temple rituals across its institutions.
The initiative aims to strengthen understanding of Agamic practices, daily worship procedures, and traditional temple customs and familiarise participants with contemporary inputs relevant to temple administration and ritual performance.
The training was inaugurated at the S.V. Vedic University in Tirupati by TTD incharge executive officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary.
Addressing the participants, he said the objective of the programme was to ensure that Sanatana Dharma is carried forward to future generations by safeguarding the scriptural and ritual heritage preserved over centuries.
He said traditions must be protected in their original form, while the use of appropriate technology could help in documentation, preservation and effective transmission of this heritage.
Chowdary said the refresher classes were being conducted for 35 archakas and paricharakas and 15 Veda parayanadars working in various TTD temples. He said the training would help them perform daily kainkaryams with precision and strict adherence to prescribed norms.
He said such programmes should be organised regularly to keep temple functionaries updated on changing needs without deviating from core Agamic principles.
He also noted that the initiative would help in carrying forward the traditions upheld by acharyas such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya.
The curriculum includes Agama concepts, Vaikhanasa traditions, nitya puja procedures, Panchasuktas, Sandhyavandanam, gotra and pravara, Agni pratishtha, Sanskrit pronunciation, key homams during Kalyanotsavam, Tirumala temple festivals, Brahmotsavam, Pavithrotsavam, Graha archana, Bimba pratishtha, Jyotisha basics and related aspects of temple worship.
Vice-chancellor Rani Sadasiva Murthy said regular training programmes were essential for archakas, paricharakas and Veda scholars, as they enable learning and exchange of ideas.
A book on the Vaikhanasa Agama-based Brahmotsavam sequence was released. The programme is expected to benefit priests and Veda scholars working in 61 TTD temples by enabling uniform ritual practices.