TTD to Conduct Varuna Yagam at Tirumala from Aug. 30

Tirupati:Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to conduct a Kareerishti Yagam, Varuna Japam and Parjanya Shanti Homam at Tirumala from August 30 to September 3, following similar rituals at temples in the state seeking timely rains.

In a statement on Monday, TTD said the rituals will be held at the Dharmagiri Veda Vignana Peetham, praying for timely rains and the prosperity of the state and country. The Maha Poornahuthi will be performed on September 3. Thirty-two Vedic, Shrauta and Smartha scholars will participate in the rituals. Arrangements are being made under the supervision of Dharmagiri Veda Vignana Peetham principal Kuppa Siva Subrahmanya Avadhani.

The decision comes after questions were raised over TTD’s earlier stand, particularly after the Srisailam Devasthanam conducted a five-day Varuna Yagam from August 7 to 11 and the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam in Vijayawada conducted Varuna Yagam, Varuna Japam and Ghata Abhishekam from August 14 to 16.

A senior TTD official had earlier told the Deccan Chronicle that Agama scholars and Vedic pundits had not recommended the ritual as there was no immediate drought situation at Tirumala. He had said TTD would conduct it whenever necessary.

TTD has conducted similar rituals during earlier periods of poor rainfall. It held Kareerishti, Parjanya Shanti and Varuna Yagam in 2014, followed by similar rituals in 2015 and 2017. In 2023, TTD conducted Varuna Yagam at Dharmagiri from August 21 to 26, followed by a three-day Sri Srinivasa Ashtottara Sata Kundatmaka Maha Shanti Varuna Yagam at Srinivasa Mangapuram from September 8 to 11.