Varuna Yagam to appease rain-god begins in Tirumala

Tirupati, Aug 19 :

The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (Ttd) chairman Adikeshavulu Naidu on Wednesday launched a five-day ‘Kareeri Ishti’ programme at Parveta Mandapam in Tirumala to appease the rain-god Lord Varuna to bless the people with a good monsoon and a bountiful harvest.

In keeping with the name of the yagam, the Ttd constructed 108 fire places (homa kunda) where an equal number of its priests will perform the pooja till the forenoon.

Seven main “homa kunda” were built on a higher pedestal overlooking two platforms where the rest of the fire places came up. An aesthetically decorated idol of Lord Venkateswara was installed on the higher plain.

The Chairman offered prayers to the idol and participated in the initial rituals amidst chanting of Vedas by the large group of priests led by chief priests of Ttd A.V. Ramana Dikshitulu and P Narasimha Dikshitulu.

Addressing the gathering later, he said the event was organised in the hope of bountiful rains like in the last five years.

Ramana Dikshitulu expressed satisfaction that the yagam was launched on an auspicious day and said the pandits involved in the rituals were experts in Vedas and agamas. They would be assisted in chanting by 108 Sadhaka acharyas. Executive Officer I V R Krishna Rao was present.