Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams begins 5 day yagam for good rains

Tirumala: In the wake of dry spell in the state and various parts of the country, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Monday started a five-day Kareeristhi-Varuna Japa-Parjanya Shanti Yagam, three Vedic rituals aimed at propitiating Rain God Varuna to shower his blessing for a good rain in the entire state and also in the country.

Highlights:

• TTD has been performing the yagam for many years for the blessings of Rain God Varuna
• All the articles used in the ritual are in black as it seeks to invoke black clouds which bring rain

The unique yagam meant for rains began on a ceremonial note in Paruveta Mandapam here with the blessings of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swami, the chief pontiff of Kanchi Mutt.

TTD EO A K Singhal accompanied by his wife Jaya Singhal took the sankalpam for the Maha Yagam as ‘Sarvopadrastha’. Varuna Japam, another Vedic ritual, was also observed by Ritwiks (Veda pundits who conducts such rituals) in holy temple tank (Pushkarini) located at Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy temple.

The Vedic scholars chanted the Rishyasringa Mantram three times in the holy waters of the temple tank, following the age-old Vedic ritual to appease Rain Lord Varuna. Speaking to media persons on the occasion, the EO said this five-day ritual would conclude on June 2.

“Apart from the Vedic scholars rendering related mantras, Amrita Varshini Raagam, which is prominently recited seeking good rains, will be rendered by renowned artistes on Naada Neerajana platform this time. We also arranged ‘Virataparva Parayanam’ in Asthana Mandapam another age-old practice seeking rains,” he added.

TTD has been performing kareeristhi Yagaam for the past one decade seeking good rains. The significance of the yagam is that since Vedic age, the sages and Ritwiks used to perform this ritual with devotion for blessing from Lord Varuna (Rain God).

The uniqueness of this ritual is that the every item used in this yagam is in Krishna Varna (black colour), including the dresses of Ritwiks who are performing the yagam. In this ritual, the rice cooked in bamboo bowl, the horse and ram and every object will be black in colour as the Homa invokes praying for black clouds to shower good rains.