Tirumala: Online quota of Arjitha Seva tickets released for March 2020

Tirumala: The TTD has released the online quota of Srivari temple Arjita Seva tickets for the month of March 2020 on Friday. A total of 52,748 tickets were released includes 10,973 Seva tickets under electronic dip and the remaining general category Seva tickets..

The tickets under electronic dip include: Suprabatham- 8,193, Thomala-120, Archana-120, Asta Dala Pada Padmaradhana-240 and Nijapada Darshan-2300 tickets. These tickets will be allotted through online lucky dip system after applying for it.

In the general category, 41,775 Seva tickets were released including, Kalyanam- 14,250, Unjal Seva- 4,500, Arjita Brahmotsavam-7,425 and Sahasra Deepalankara Seva -15,600 tickets.

However, the TTD kept pending the release of three Seva tickets including the daily Vasanthotsavam and weekly Vishesha pooja being performed every Monday and another weekly Seva Sahasrakalasabhishekam on Wednesdays which involve Snapana Thirumanjanam, the celestial bath (Abhishekam) of processional deities of Sri Malayappa, His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, following the recommendation of the temple priests and Agama Advisory Committee.

The priests first expressed concern over the erosion of the Vigrahas due to Abhishekam (Thirumanjanam) being performed with various ingredients like milk, honey etc and took it to the notice of the officials, six months back.

The officials in turn sought the advice of Agama Advisory Committee on the measures to be taken up for safeguarding the idols. After in-depth discussion the members of the Committee agreed with the observation of the priests and felt that it is better to minimise the performance of Snapa Thirumanjanam to the processional idols to safeguard them. Accordingly, they recommended minimising Thirumanjanam to the deities.

Speaking to the media after the Dial-Your-EO programme at Tirumala on Friday, TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal said that both the priests at Tirumala temple and Agama Advisory Committee recommended to dispense with some of the sevas that involve Thrumanjanam including Vasanthotsavam Vishesh Pooja and Sahasra Kalasabhishekam and wanted them to conduct these rituals once in a year.

Following the recommendations, the TTD kept the release of the three Seva tickets pending and a final decision will be taken up by the TTD Trust Board which is scheduled to meet on December 28.

The EO said the recommendation of Agama Advisory Committee will be put before the Board for taking a final decision on continuing the sevas or not.