Pushpa Yagam performed at Tirumala

Tirumala: The colourful religious festival of flowers 'Pushpa Yagam' was organised at Srivari temple on Saturday on the occasion of Shravana nakshtra,, the birth star of Lord Venkateswara during the auspicious month of Karthika.

Earlier, in the morning, after the second Archana and second bell, Naivedyam, Snapana Tirumanjanam was performed at Kalyana Mandapam. The special Abhisekam was performed to utsava idols (processional deities) with milk, curd, honey, sandal, turmeric and scented perfumed waters amidst chanting of the hymns from scriptures..

Later, Additional EO A V Dharma Reddy attended the puja performed to baskets of flowers at garden department office.

Speaking to the media on this occasion, Dharma Reddy said inscriptions say that the festival was celebrated in Srivari temple since the 15th century to usher in greenery and prosperity in the country. The legends also say that Pushpa Yagam is generally conducted on the seventh day after Dwajavarohanam of Brahmotsavam festival. He said TTD resumed Pushpa Yagam mahotsavam in 1980, on November 14.

The flowers were carried to Srivari temple in a colourful procession from the garden department office by TTD officials, staff and Srivari Sevaks (volunteers) to the shrine for the performance of the religious ceremony..

In the afternoon, Pushpa Yagam is performed in which the priests offered flowers of various hues. In all seven tons of 14 varieties of traditional and cut flowers like rose, jasmine, kanakambaram and six other varieties of scented leaves offered. Later in the evening, Sri Malayappa blessed devotees on Mada streets after Sahasra Deepalankara seva.