PM Modi worships Lord Balaji

Tirupati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on Sunday evening.

Accompanied by Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and Ministers, Modi arrived at the famed hill shrine where he was accorded traditional welcome by TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal along with senior temple officials and priests.

Modi, following the age-old temple practice, the Prime Minister first bowed to Dhwajasthambham while proceeding to the sanctum sanctorum.

He then worshipped Lord Venkateswara after which the chief priest rendered the Ithiham of the temple and its presiding deity.

Modi later had darshan of Vimana Venkateswara while in circumambulation (Pradakshna) and offered Kanuka in Hundi.

At Ranganayakula mandapam, the temple priests and Veda pundits rendered Aasirvachanm blessing the Prime Minister amidst chanting of hymns from scriptures.

TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal presented theertha prasadams and a portrait of Lord Venkateswara Swamy and Goddess Padmavathi to Prime Minister Modi, Governor Narasimhan and Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Pedda Jeeyar Swamy, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and temple officials were also present.

After coming out of the temple after darshan, Modi greeted the people who gathered near the shrine to see him, before his departure.