Lakhs of devotees along with wards thronged the Gnana Saraswati Temple at Basara in Adilabad district to perform `Aaksharabhyasam’ ritual to mark Vasant Panchami.
The devotees, after taking a holy dip in the river Godavari, made a beeline to the temple right from the wee hours of Saturday. Special pujas were performed at the temple and Vyasa Maharshi temple on the banks of Godavari seeking blessing of Goddess Saraswati.
Bharatiya janata Party state president G Kishen Reddy had the darshan of Goddess Saraswathi along with his family members and performed special pujas to mark the Vasant Panchami.
The temple administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the programme. Police forces in large numbers were deployed around the temple bathing ghats, toilets and medical camps. Special RTC buses were pressed into service for the convenience of the pilgrims.
Temple officials estimated that about more than one lakh people have visited the place to have darshan of the deity and for `Aksharabhyasam’ so that their children would perform well in schools in the coming academic year.
The Vasant Panchami also known as Siri Panchami or Saraswati Pooja is performed to goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, to mark her birth.
The Vasant Panchami falls on Maagha sudha panchami—the fifth day of brighter fortnight of the moon in the Hindu month of Maagha.
The term Vasant means the spring and Panchami means fifth. As the festival is celebrated at the onset of the spring and announces the arrival of spring season hence it is known as Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami in some parts of country.
The festival signifies the awakening of new joy and the end of gloomy days and ignorance. The people believe that Goddess Saraswati showers her blessings on the children for a good education.
Hence it has become customary for the parents to keep the notebooks, pencils and other study materials of children at the feet of goddess and perform special poojas for education of children. (INN)
Devotees beeline to Basara temple as academic year begins
2011/6/12 7:26:29 With academic year beginning, lakhs of devotees thronged the Gnana Saraswati temple at Basara, Nizamabad district along with their wards to perform `Aaksharabhyasam ritual.
The devotees, after taking a holy dip in the river Godavari, made a beeline to temple right from the wee hours of Sunday.
Special pujas were performed at the temple and Vyasa Maharshi temple on the banks of Godavari seeking blessing of Goddess Saraswati.
The temple administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the programme. Police force was deployed around the temple bathing ghats, toilets and medical camps.
Special RTC buses were pressed into service for the convenience of the pilgrims.
Temple officials estimated that about one lakh people have visited the place to have darshan of the deity and for Aksharabhyasam so that their children would perform well in schools in the coming academic year.
The temple officials also attributed the rush of pilgrims due to the week-end and opening of schools from Monday.(INN)
2011/11/6 4:14:41 Elaborate arrangements are being made at the Goddess Kanaka Durga Temple in Indrakeeladri Hills to enable the devotees to fulfil the rituals associated with the relinquishment of their fast to be carried out between November 6 and December 21.
Talking to media persons at the Deeksha Mandapam after shifting of the utsav idol of Goddess Kanaka Durga to the Bhavani Deeksha mandapam and Kalasa Sthapana as part of deeksha on Sunday, Sri Kanaka Durga Swamivarla Devasthanam executive officer M Raghunadh stated that nearly eight lakh Bhavani devotees were expected to visit the temple for darshan this year. Last year, the number of devotees who visisted the temple was around seven lakhs. He said that 13 lakh laddus and pulihora packets were kept ready for distribution of prasadam to the devotees.
Raghunadh said that the mandal deeksha of the devotees would continue till November 10 (Thursday) and ardha mandal deeksha from November 26 to November 30. This would be followed by deeksha viramana/ Chandi homam from December 16 (Friday) to December 21 (Wednesday).
The ritual of Agni Pratisthapana would commence at 7 am on December 16. On December 19, Kalasa Jyothi Utsavam would be launched at 5 pm from Sri Sivarama Nama Kshetram at Satyanarayanapuram, followed by Poornahuti at 11 am on December 21. Temple priest Vishnubhatla Sivaprasad Sarma and chief security officer Satyanarayana were also present.
Meanwhile, thousands of Bhavani devotees from across the state bee lined to Kanaka Durga temple from the morning hours and performed pujas. The devotees after taking a holy dip in river Krishna beelined to Goddess durga temple and performed special pujas and wore Rudraksha malas as part of deeksha. (INN)
2011/11/20 16:17:39 The temple town of Tiruchanur has been fully geared up for the nine-day annual Brahmotsavam at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple scheduled to begin from Monday.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has made special arrangements in view of heavy rush of devotees during the event. The festival will start with the hoisting of the temple flag atop the flag post (Dhwajasthambam) on Nov 21. The major events scheduled to be held are Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam and Simha Vahanam on Nov 23; Kalpavriksha Vahanam on Nov 24; Vasanthotsavam and Gaja Vahanam on Nov 25; Garuda Vahanam on Nov 26; Rathotsavam on Nov 28 and Panchami Theertham on Nov 29.
Executive Officer L V Subramanyam and Joint Executive Officers — K Srinivasa Raju and B Venkatrami Reddy reviewed arrangements made for plying of buses, development of bus bays, parking lots, serial-lighting cut-outs of the deities, drinking water taps and barricades around the temple precincts. Subrahmanyam also reviewed the arrangements with the police, revenue and RTC officials, besides the electrical and engineering authorities of the TTD.
Subrahmanyam said that special two more outlets would be set up for distribution of Anna Prasadam. The barricades for Panchami Theertham event would be made to prevent congestion. He said a flower show has also been organized by Gardens Department as part of Brahmotsavams.
Meanwhile, all the shop owners selling liquor and meat in and around Tiruchanur Padmavathi temple stated that they would close stalls during the festival time. (INN)
2011/9/30 5:29:57 Thousand of devotees thronged the temples of Goddesss Kanaka Durga temples in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region to mark 3rd day of Navarathri celebrations.
Devotees of Goddess Durga made a beeline to Kanaka Durga temple in Indrakeeladri since morning with devotion and performed special poojas. The temples officials in Indrakeeladri decorated the Goddess in Mahalakshmi Avatar. Apart from Vijayawada, the other Kanaka Durga temples in Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari districts thronged with devotees since early morning seeking blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Lakhs of devotees have been visiting the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati to attend the on-going Brahmotsavam celebrations. The crowd is likely to increase during this weekend. Devotees in large numbers are also visiting Goddess Brahmarambika Temple in Srisailam and Shiva temples in Srikalahasti.
However, the Goddess Saraswathi Temple in Basara in Adilabad district in Telangana region not witnessed as much response from devotees due to ongoing general strike, which entered 18th day on Friday. The RTC strike too has affected the number of devotees in all temples.
Meanwhile many temples across the region including Hyderabad have stopped their 'Arjitha sevas' and special rituals except for 'darshan' following the instructions from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana priests and employees of endowment department, which handles the affairs of temples.
Upendra Sharma, leader, JAC and a temple priest said that the action was taken keeping in mind the aspirations of people, who were fighting for a separate Telangana state. The officials of the Endowment department however said that the protest would hit the temple income to a large extent. It is estimated that the strike would likely result in a loss of Rs 4-5 lakh.
Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple situated at Yadagirigutta in Nalgonda district looked deserted after the temple was shut down for all rituals. Other famous temples in the region Vemulawada and Bhadrachalam were also hit by the strike. Many temples in Warangal, Mahabubnagar and Karimnagar districts are getting less number of devotees since September 13. Rajarajeswari Swami temple at Vemulawada, Karimnagar district has suffered a loss of Rs 60 lakh so far.
The famous Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal, Jogulamba at Alampur, Mahabubnagar district and the Bhadrakali temple also were closed for two weeks. (INN)
2007/11/2 0:38:53 The Kanakadurga temple at Indrakeeladri hills in Vijayawada is perhaps the only temple in the state where devotees are segregated according to their paying capacity. While those opting for free darshan are allowed darshan of the goddess from quite a distance, those purchasing a higher denomination ticket are allowed to get a closer look.
And for those who can afford to buy the 100 rupees ticket, they can go very near to the goddess, up to the sanctum sanctorum. Many devotees ask that if this is not discrimination, then what else.
Even in the biggest temple in the state, Tirupati, all the devotees are allowed darshan from the same place. The queue of paying as well as non-paying devotes is merged into a single line just before entering into the main temple premises.
Mahashivtri being celebrated with religious fervour
2012/2/20 2:55:00 Lakhs of devotees thronged Shiva temples across the state on Monday to mark the Maha Shivaratri festival celebrations.
The devotees made a beeline to temples after taking a holy bath in rivers adjoining temples since early morning hours and performed special pujas in the presence of vedic pundits.
Nearly four lakh devotees thronged Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam in Kurnool district. The temple authorities have cancelled all aarjitha sevas to facilitate hassle free darshan of God.
As part of Shivaratri, the temple authorities will take Brahmabarmbhika Mallikarjuna Swamy in a procession on Nandivahana in the evening.
Lingodbhavam (emergence of Linga) puja will be performed at night at 10 pm followed by Pagalankarana (adorning of head gear) and Kalyanotsavam (celestival wedding) of Lord Shiva to the Goddess Parvati at 12 midnight.
Apart from Saisailam, the Shiva temples –Vayulingeswara temple, Srikalahasti in Chittoor, Rajarajeswari temple, Vemulawada, Karimnagar district, Keesaragutta in Hyderabad, Suryaveswara Temple, Basara, Kumara Bheemeswara Temple, Samarlakot, Bheemeswara temple in Draksharamam, Kukuteswara temple in Pithapuram, Umamaheswara temple in Bhimavaram in West Godavari witnessed huge turnout of devotees since early morning.
Meanwhile, Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar rao, Telangana Political Joint Action Committee chairman Prof M Kodandaram and 10 other MLAs offered special poojas at Rajarajeswari Temple at Vemulawada of Karimnagar district.
Shivaratri is observed on Magha Shukla Chaturdashi, the 14th day in Magha masam. Among the 12 prominent abodes of Lord Shiva, (Dwadasha Jyothirlingas), Srisailam is the most significant Shiva Shakti Kshetram which is also known as the Astadasha Shakti Peetham. The devotees believe that the worship of Shiva on this auspicious day absolves sins and attain moksha.
Meanwhile, the state Road Transport Corporation operated special services to all the Shiva temples to mark the Maha Shivratri. (INN)
2012/1/9 10:37:53 Thousands of devotes on Monday thronged Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple here to witness the Arudrabhishekham.
It is believed that praying Lord Siva on this day, which is ruled by the star Arudra, would heal many ailments as Arudra is considered to be the beloved star of the Lord. Scriptures say that reciting Siva Nakstra Moulika Stotra will please the Lord and bestows the devotees with all types of earthly pleasures and ward off problems.
On the occasion, Suprabhata Seva, Mahanyasa Ekadasha Rudrabhishekam, Annabhishekam and Panchamruthabhishekam were performed at the temple. After performing special poojas, the procession of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Brahmarambika was taken through Uttara Gate on Nandi vahanam.
The Devasthanam officials cancelled the special sevas to be conducted in the wee hours. The devesthanam has made special arrangements to meet the rush of pilgrims. (INN)
Thousands of devotees performed pooja in Shiva Temples across the state to mark the last Monday of the auspicious Karteeka Masam.
The pilgrims visited Mallikarjuna Swamy at Srisailam temple, Vayulingeswara Swamy at Srikalahasti, Sri Ramalingeswara Temple at Amaravathi in Guntur, Rudreswara Swamy Temple in Warangal and Sri Rajarajeswari Temple at Vemulawada since wee hours with devotion and performed special poojas.
Monday is considered the most favourite day of Lord Shiva and it is believed that praying on this day entitle devotees of Kailasham.
Lakhs of devotees after having a holy dip in Patala Ganga River in Srisailam joined the serpentine queues since the morning to have a darshan of the diety. The presiding deities are Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy, who is one of the 12 Jyothirlingas, and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi, who is one of the 18 Mahasakthis.
Chandi yagam, Kumkumarchana and Rudrabhisekam to the presiding deities were performed on the occasion. According to temple's executive officer Venkata Swamy over two lakh devotees visited the temple on Monday. During evening hours the devotees particularly women lit Karthika deepas and the couples perform Satyanarayana Vratham. (INN)
2011/6/23 2:34:41 The Srisailam temple authorities on Thursday disclosed that the temple has received Rs 75,36,148 as offerings to the hundi in the last 25 days, as hordes of students had visited the shrine during the summer holidays.
According to Sri Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy temple Executive Officer P Venkateswarulu, the Rs 75,36,148 was its highest collection in a 25-day span.
Briefing to media persons after calculating the hundi collections with temple officials at Nitya Kalyana Mandapam, the Executive Officer said the temple witnessed huge number of devotees during the last 25 days with the completion of summer holidays and opening of schools. Devotees, mostly students and their parents, have visited the temple, seeking the blessings of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bramarambika Devi, Mr Venkateswarulu said.
Apart from the hundi collections, the temple has received 112 grams of gold jewellery, 780 grams of silver ornaments, 137 American dollars, 5 UAE Dirham and some Malaysian currency.
The temple also earned income from rituals which include Rudrabhishekham and Ati Sreeghra Darshan, by selling laddus, and by providing other services to devotees.(INN)
TTD plans to restrict devotees for one time a year Darshan?
2011/2/5 7:59:34 TTD Executive Officer Krishna Rao in an interview to a leading news channel has said Everyday near about 1 lakh devotees are coming to Tirupati. But, none of them were fortunate to have Darshan of Lord Balaji for more than few seconds. There are hundreds of devotees who return home even without having a Darshan of the God. All our efforts to provide Darshan of Lord Balaji gives us no satisfactory results, it is because of the high inflow of the devotees. We know that there are thousands of devotees who often visit Tirupati for at least once a year and there are thousands of others who at least visits twice or thrice a year. So, I thought that if we could restrict these frequent visitors to once a year, it may reduce the inflow of the devotees thus allowing the others to have Darshan of the God. But, it is just an idea that is still under consideration, but not a final one.
In addition to this idea, the letter written by TTD Board to Archeology department asking it to take the possession of the temple was yet another reason for ire of the devotees. Many of them criticizing the TTD Board have said If, they are inefficient and incapable to look after this ancient temple, they better quit their jobs at the earliest.
2011/7/18 2:42:28 The 'Bonalu' festival organized as a part of the Ashada Jatara at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple, General Bazar, Secunderabad, concluded on Monday, with the `Rangam' predictions by Ms Swaroopa Rani and the procession of the presiding deity atop a caparisoned elephant.
During the 'Rangam', Ms Rani forecast good rain. The forecast blamed the politicians for current political crisis. However, the forecast said the people in general would enjoy happy and prosperous time during the year.
The festival would enjoy larger patronage of the devotees in the years to come, she professed.
Executive Officer of the temple said although the two main events slated for the day were completed ahead of schedule (before noon), devotees continued to throng the temple later. More people are expected on Tuesday.
The police have deployed additional forces to mark the procession of the presiding deity atop a caparisoned elephant.
Non-governmental organizations and Voluntary bodies came forward to provide drinking water facility to thousands of devotees.
Potharajus are well built, colored and smeared, scantily dressed naked men selected from the villages, personifying as brothers of their Mother Goddess, flogging themselves, lead the procession of the dancing and balancing devoted and possessed women, and arrive at the Guddis to offer Bhojanum to the local Deities, Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma, and Gundamma.(INN)
2012/3/20 4:01:25 Over 15 devotees were injured in a stampede in Sri Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam here on Tuesday.
According to reports, the stampede took place at Rajagopuram, the beginning of Sanctum Sanctorium of the temple, where thousands of devotees thronged in the wee hours to mark the beginning of Ugadi Celebrations at Srisailam from March 23. The injured includes women and aged people.
The temple authorities and police immediately rushed all the injured to Devasthanam hospital for primary treatment. The condition of injured is stated to be stable and all are out of danger, according to sources in temple hospital.
In the melee, a metal detector cabin arranged at the Rajagopuram was completely destroyed. (INN)
2011/2/3 0:27:57 A devine lighting has appeared at Shri Shiridi Sai Temple at Dil Sukh Nagar, Hyderabad on yesterday night giving a pleasant surprise to the devotees. Even TV channels were able to capture the lighting in their cameras. Right now, all the leading News Channels are telecasting this happening.
The lighting which first appears inside the temple premises was keep moving here and there for a while and finally vanished into thin air. It looks like a pack of big white cotton bundle taking odd shapes with its every movement. After, moving here and there for a while, it moves towards the temple entrance vanished through the brass grills. It happened thrice during the last one month and it was recorded in the CC cameras of the temple. Devotees, who witnessed with their own eyes, were mesmerized to see it and described it as one of the Sai Jyothy.
The news spread like a wild fire through out the state and people from far away places are rushing to the temple to have a Darshan of the holy 'Jyothy' of Shiridi Baba. The temple authorities said that, it is a miracle that no one can give a scientific reasoning. Right now, Dil Sukh Nagar area was jam packed with the huge turn out of devotees.
Please Note: The image shown in this news item is not the one that appeared in the temple, but it is only an illustration to give an idea to our viewers. Devotees, who want to see it live can switch on your TV sets now, and can watch it in the Telugu News Channels.
2012/2/19 23:37:35 Fire accident occurred in 'Potu" (Kitchen where Laddu Prasada being made) of Sri Padmavati Temple in Tiruchanur on Monday morning. It is learnt the fire from one stove catches the other beside it and spreads in no time, in which valuable kitchen equipment and Laddu Prasada burned. The devotees in the temple have run for their lives. Temple authorities have stopped Darshan for more than one hour and allowed devotees only after completely extinguishing the fire.
2012/2/29 21:31:57 Few days ago Swamy Sachchidhananda has visited Tirumala temple. He allowed his devotees to make 'Padhabhivanadanas' to him and to shout slogans ' Sachchidhananda Swamiji ki Jai' inside the temple premises, which is against the rules and regulations of the TTD. Normally, all the devotees believe that no one else except the presiding deity should be worshipped inside the temple premises. But, Swamy Sachchidhananda has not only violated the rules and regulations of the temple but also hurts the sentiments of Balaji devotees.
The leading daily news paper Andhra Jyothi has published this matter in its February edition, which irks Swamy Sachchidhananda's devotees. So, a letter abusing and threatening to kill the Managing director Vemuri Radhakrishna and his staff was sent by one of Swamy Sachchidhananda devotees. The letter was sent on the letter head of Sri Ganapathi Sachchidhananda Swamji Information Center.
In the letter sent to ABN director Vemuri Radha Krishna, it was written that "We have observed a baseless story was published in your new paper against our living deity Ganapathi Sachchidhanandha Swamy. If you continue your practice any further, first we will kill your son and then you and your staff. You should know that many big officers like Ramana Murthy of CB CID, politicians and Advocates are the devotees of our Swamiji. People like you have tried hard to trap our Datta Sena leader Narayana Rao in 11 murder cases. But, he is able to come-out of all those cases with the blessings of our Swamiji."
"While Tirumala Balaji is an Archavataram (A deity in statue shape who accepts devotees' offerings) our Swamiji is a walking deity. Then, what is wrong if he blesses his devotees in the temple? Even god can't save you from his curses."
In return Andhra Jyothi has published the contents of the letter sent by Swamiji devote in its Monday edition.
This is the auspicious Devi Navarathri festival rime. The Kanakadurga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada has been decorated with colourful lamps. However the temple is now in darkness as there are no lights in the temple premises and queue complex.
The electrical staff at the temple did not switch off the lights as the police did not allow them to move freely in the place. It is the hapless devotees who are having a tough time having darshan.
2012/3/20 3:49:02 Sri Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam received its highest ever hundi offerings for the last 21 days counted at Nitya Kalyana Mandapam on Tuesday.
According to Temple Executive Officer Hanumantha Rao, the temple hundi registered a collection of Rs. 64,81,295 against last year's revenue of Rs 54 lakhs for the same period. After calculating the hundi collections with temple officials at Nitya Kalyana Mandapam, he said that the hundi has received gold and silver and 166 American dollars, 10 pounds of England currency, Qatar Riyals apart from Indian currency.
Apart from hundi collections, the temple earned income from rituals which included Rudrabhishekham and Ati Sheeghra Darshan, sale of laddus and by providing other services to devotees.
The Executive officer said that thousands of devotees visited the temple and performed special poojas seeking the blessings of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bramarambika DeviSri Bramarambha Mallikharjuna Swami Temple at Srisailam to mark Ekadasi and Dwadasi, the auspicious days of Hindus. (INN)
2008/1/4 7:07:34 The Durga Malleswara Swamy temple is perhaps the only temple in the state that is notorious for mismanagement and poor governance. The temple authorities and the governing board are very callous in their attitude towards ordinary pilgrims. There is no accountability whatsoever and ordinary pilgrims are subjected to rude behaviour by the staff.
Many pilgrims complain that they do not get any help from the temple authorities when they go to visit the temple. The temple seems to be run only for the VIPs and VVIPs. The temple authorities are all the time in the service of the VIPs. Ordinary pilgrims are left to fend for themselves. Even when there is no rush, the authorities close the queue complex of the smaller denomination darshan ticket and literally force the pilgrims to shell out Rs. 25 and Rs. 100 per head for darshan.
There are many allegations of mismanagement and corruption but the government seems to turn a blind eye. There have been many instances when the saris presented by the devotees to goddess Kanakadurga ending up with the family members of the temple authorities.
Devotees throng Vishnu Temples to mark Vainkunta Ekadashi
2012/1/5 8:36:39 Hyderabad, Jan 5 (INN): Thousands of devotees thronged the Lord Vishnu Temples across the state on Thursday to mark Vaikunta Ekadashi, which is observed in the Dhanur Masam as per traditional Telugu calendar with utmost devotion.
The devotees bee lined to Lord Venkateswara Temple at hill shrine in Tirumala, Sri Rama Temple at Bhadrachalam, Sri Rangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Nellore, Laxminarayana Swamy Temple Yadagirigutta, Mangalagiri, Simhachalam and Dharmapuri since wee hours after taking a holy bath in the adjoining rivers.
Governor E S L Narasimhan and his family members went to Lord Venkateswara Temple at Srinagar Colony and performed special pujas to mark the event.
The Governor couple had the darshan of Lord Venkateswara through Uttara Dwara.
Apart from State Ministers and MLAs, Central Ministers including Sushil Kumar Shinde, Subhodkant Sahai visited Tirupati seeking blessings of Lord Venkateswara. All the Ministers had the darshan of Lord Venkateswara under VIP darshan. Later, Sarva Darshanam was allowed for general public.
The festival is popularly known as Mukkoti Ekadasi attracts thousands of devotees from India and around the world. The festival is observed on the Shudda Ekadasi – the eleventh day during the waxing phase of moon – in Pushya or Margasira month which falls during the Dhanurmasam.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is a 10-day festival at Bbhadrachalam Devasthanam and is known as Adhyayanotsavams. Another highlight of the 10-day festival is the Dasavatara Mahatosavams, or the celebration of the 10-incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Dasami, the day a before Ekadasi, is popularly known as Teppotsavam or boat festival. Lord Rama and Sita are taken in a boat around the Godavari River. On the Vaikunta Ekadasi day, the main highlight is the opening of the Vykuntha Dwarams at Northern Gate of the temple at the early morning hours.
This door is only opened on this particular day and the popular belief is that passing through this door will attain Moksha.
It may be noted here that the Uttara Dwaram has been reconstructed in D shape in accordance with ‘Vaastu Sastra' to enable more number of the pilgrims to have darshan of the idols of the presiding deity during the Uttara Dwara Darshanam on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi.
The Vishnu temples have been decorated with flowers and lights and performed special pooja and homa rituals for the prosperity of the state. The temple premises were reverberated with the chants of `Govinda Govinda’, discourses, meditation and singing of Hari kirtan.
Ramchandraiah slams Jagan for entering Lord Venkateswara Temple
2012/5/3 4:05:41 Hyderabad, May 3 (INN): Endowment Minister C Ramachandraiah on Thursday came down heavily on Y S R Congress Party president Jagan Mohan Reddy for not signing the declaration of religious faith meant for non-Hindu devotees during his recent visit to Lord Venkateswara Temple at hill shrine in Tirumala.
Talking to media persons, Ramachandraiah said that the devotees would have to visit the temple with a belief in Lord Venkateswara and not to get political mileage by creating unnecessary controversies. He said that it was mandatory for non-Hindu devotees to sign the declaration of faith in the God before having the darshan of Lord Venkateswara. “The non-Hindu devotees, who visit places of worship, should follow the established traditions and practices before visiting them,” he pointed out.
Ramchandraiah said that the administration has failed to initiate action on violators of traditions and established norms of Hindu temples due to lack of proper Act.
It may be mentioned that Jagan Mohan Reddy, a practicing Christian, had the darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Wednesday without signing the mandatory declaration of religious faith meant for non-Hindu devotees. However, Jagan asked the officials why he was not told to sign such a document when he visited Tirumala shrine in 2009.
Elaborate arrangements are being made at the Goddess Kanaka Durga Temple in Indrakeeladri Hills to enable the devotees to fulfil the rituals associated with the relinquishment of their fast to be carried out between November 6 and December 21.
Lakhs of devotees thronged Shiva temples across the state on Monday to mark the Maha Shivaratri festival celebrations.
TTD Executive Officer Krishna Rao in an interview to a leading news channel has said Everyday near about 1 lakh devotees are coming to Tirupati. But, none of them were fortunate to have Darshan of Lord Balaji for more than few seconds. There are hundreds of devotees who return home even without having a Darshan of the God. All our efforts to provide Darshan of Lord Balaji gives us no satisfactory results, it is because of the high inflow of the devotees. We know that there are thousands of devotees who often visit Tirupati for at least once a year and there are thousands of others who at least visits twice or thrice a year. So, I thought that if we could restrict these frequent visitors to once a year, it may reduce the inflow of the devotees thus allowing the others to have Darshan of the God. But, it is just an idea that is still under consideration, but not a final one.
Over 15 devotees were injured in a stampede in Sri Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam here on Tuesday.
Fire accident occurred in 'Potu" (Kitchen where Laddu Prasada being made) of Sri Padmavati Temple in Tiruchanur on Monday morning. It is learnt the fire from one stove catches the other beside it and spreads in no time, in which valuable kitchen equipment and Laddu Prasada burned. The devotees in the temple have run for their lives. Temple authorities have stopped Darshan for more than one hour and allowed devotees only after completely extinguishing the fire.
Few days ago Swamy Sachchidhananda has visited Tirumala temple. He allowed his devotees to make 'Padhabhivanadanas' to him and to shout slogans ' Sachchidhananda Swamiji ki Jai' inside the temple premises, which is against the rules and regulations of the TTD. Normally, all the devotees believe that no one else except the presiding deity should be worshipped inside the temple premises. But, Swamy Sachchidhananda has not only violated the rules and regulations of the temple but also hurts the sentiments of Balaji devotees. 
