TTD priests perform Chakrasnanam at Durga Ghat

The environs of Durga Ghat near the Indrakeeladri Hill reverberated with ‘Govinda Govinda’ chanting by devotees, as the priests of TTD performed 'Chakra Snanam' to Malayappa Swamy, the holy disc of Lord Venkateswara in River Krishna in the early hours of Tuesday.

For the first time, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishat has conducted the rituals to the utsava idols of Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy, flanked by Goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi along with Sudarshana Chakrattalwar in the city.

“The TTD will conduct similar rituals in other scared rivers across the country till March 9, in connection with auspicious Magha Masam and to highlight the significance of river bathing among the devotees,” said TTD official Dollar Seshadri.

Earlier the deities were taken to the ghat from TTD replica temple in a grand procession at around 7 am and ‘Snapanam’ was performed between 9 am and 11 am. The utsava idols of Lord Sri Malayappa Swami were carried on a special palanquin and Tirumanjanam was performed amidst chanting of Vedic mantras.

Divine bath to the deities was rendered with milk, curd, turmeric paste, honey, coconut water and finally sandalwood paste. Later, Sudarshana Chakrattalwar was given celestial dip-Chakra Snanam in the river by the TTD priests.

Meanwhile, Police officials made foolproof arrangements near the ghat to control devotees’ rush during the rituals. Devotees turned in a large number and witnessed the celestial bath. TTD priests distributed the holy water and sandal wood paste to the devotees on the occasion.