Puja performed to golden umbrella in a grand way in Tirumala

Tirumala: As part of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams at Tirumala, the traditional event of performing puja to golden umbrella was conducted in a grand way on Sunday evening.

TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal and Additional Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy, Joint Executive Officer P Basant Kumar along with CVSO Gopinath Jatti participated in the customary pooja held ahead of the fabulous Rathotsavam (which will be observed on October 7), wherein the hereditary barbers of Kalyana Katta belonging to Pantulu family presented a golden umbrella to adorn the massive wooden Ratham.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional EO Dharma Reddy said as per the available information on temple history, from the days of Srinivasa Mahadevaraya, king of Chandragiri, Pantulu family was given the enviable honour of presenting an umbrella for decoration of the wooden chariot for Rathotsavam ever since 1952.

The presentation of golden umbrella by Panthulu family belong to Nai-Brahmin community for decoration of Rathotsavam, also reveals the equality and involvement of members of all castes in temple celebrations in Tirumala.

Pantulu Ramanathan made the customary offering of umbrella which was taken in a procession to TTD authorities. DyEO of Kalyana Katta Nagaratna and AEO Jagannathachari participated.