Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) celebrated the Sri Krodhi Nama Samvatsara Telugu Ugadi Asthanam with spiritual fervour at the Lord Venkateswara Temple atop Tirumala on Tuesday.
On the occasion, the processional deities of Lord Malayappa Swamy and His Divine Consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, along with Lord Viswaksena, were seated at Bangaru Vakili facing the Garudalwar Sannidhi. Later, the temple priests performed the Ugadi Asthanam in front of deities.
As per tradition, new silk robes were offered to the deities, followed by rendition of Panchanga Sravanam. Pedda Jeeyar Swamy and Chinna Jeeyar Swamy of Tirumala, TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and executive officer A.V. Dharma Reddy were among those present.
TTD made special floral decorations inside and outside the hill temple on occasion of the Ugadi. The devasthanam’s garden department arranged colourful floral themes, including Sri Bala Rama of Ayodhya Temple and Dasavataras.
About 150 skilled workers from across the country and over 100 TTD staff worked for three days and nights to put up the decorations under the supervision of garden wing deputy director S. Srinivasulu.
On the day, TTD, in collaboration with Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad, celebrated the Telugu Ugadi on a grand note at Mahati Auditorium in Tirupati. Festivities began with the Mangala Dhwani, followed by Veda Parayanam by pundits.
National Sanskrit University professor and TTD Agama adviser Dr. Vedantam Vishnu Bhattacharya rendered the traditional Panchanga Sravanam. Asta Avadhana, a linguistic literary technique unique to Telugu, followed.
Traditional music, fancy-dress competitions and cultural programmes featuring performances by students of TTD's Sri Venkateswara Music College entertained the gathering.
Prizes were distributed to winners in these programmes, including employees and their children. This was followed by distribution of Ugadi Pachadi to all those present.
