Ugadi Asthanam Held with Fervour at Tirumala Shrine
The annual ‘Ugadi Asthanam’ was observed with traditional splendour and religious fervour at the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara Temple on Thursday, heralding the auspicious ‘Sri Parabhavanama’ Telugu New Year.
The temple witnessed elaborate rituals from the early hours, with the presiding deity and the processional deities being adorned in fresh silk vastrams, symbolising prosperity and renewal in line with Ugadi traditions. The sanctum and its surroundings resonated with Vedic chants, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere for the occasion.
As part of the ceremonial proceedings, Vedic scholars rendered ‘asthanam’ and ‘panchanga sravanam’ at the Bangaru Vakili in the presence of Malayappa Swamy and Vishvaksena. The recitation of the new almanac (panchangam) is considered a significant ritual on Ugadi, offering insights into the year ahead in terms of rainfall, agriculture, economy, and general well-being.
Temple priests performed special puja rituals, invoking divine blessings for peace and prosperity. The ceremony concluded with ‘harati’ amid devotional fervour, followed by the distribution of prasadams to devotees. Subsequently, devotees were allowed to have darshan in an orderly manner.
A large number of pilgrims thronged Tirumala to mark the Telugu New Year at the sacred shrine. Tirumala pontiffs, along with TTD Executive Officer M. Ravichandra, board members, JEO (Health and Education) Sharath, CVSO Muralikrishna, and other senior officials, took part in the celebrations.
Adding to the festive grandeur, the inner precincts of the temple were tastefully decorated with a wide variety of flowers. Intricate floral arrangements and thematic dioramas were set up in front of the temple, while the GNC toll gate and surrounding areas were also adorned, presenting a vibrant and visually appealing setting for devotees arriving on the occasion.
The celebrations reflected the rich spiritual and cultural traditions associated with Ugadi at Tirumala, drawing devotees from across the country to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara at the start of the New Year.