Tirupati: Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple Brahmotsavams begin

Tirupati: The nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple began here with Dwajarohanam on Monday.

The hour-long Dwajarohanam, hoisting of celestial flag carrying the image of Garuda was held between 8.30 am and 9.30 am and remained a low-key affair with the participation of only the temple priests, officials and Jeeyangars.

In view of the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, the TTD management decided to conduct the nine-day annual festival including the Vahana Sevas to be observed daily in the morning and evening as part of Brahmotsavams and other rituals within the shrine instead on the Mada streets around the temple, giving a break to the age-old tradition.

The TTD also cancelled Rathotsavam and Chakrasnanam to be performed as part of Brahmotsavams which conclude on March 31.

The temple management also cancelled Srirama Navami festival celebrations which are scheduled for three days from April 2 to 4 at the shrine and also the three-day annual Teppotsavam from April 5 to 7 keeping in view the extraordinary situation in the country due to the outbreak of coronovirus.

Sri Sitarama Kalyanam will be performed by the priests at the shrine on April 3.

It may be noted here that the TTD which is administering Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple in Tirupati closed the shrine for darshan to pilgrims along with the famed Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple and other shrines under its management since Friday, following the government instructions and as part of the State-wide measure to check the spread of dreaded coronavirus (COVID 19).