Asthavadhanam, cultural events mark Ugadi celebrations

Tirupati: The unique Telugu literary fete, Asthavadhanam and the traditional dress show presented by the children of TTD employees have won the attention of audience on Sunday during Ugadi celebrations. Sri Vilambi Nama Ugadi festival was observed with pomp and gaiety by TTD at Mahati auditorium in Tirupati. JEO P Bhaskar graced the occasion as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, he recalled mythology and quoted that Brahma started creating of this Universe on Ugadi day thus it occupies an important place for Telugu people. The essence of life was imbibed in ‘Ugadi pachchadi, which has six different tastes, he said.

Gopavajula Balasubrahmanya Sastry performed Panchanga Sravanam and said that it was a sacred one. He has said that this year will witness good rains and people live in prosperity. Later, Astavadhanam was performed by Mylavarapu Murali Krishna.

Stalwarts including special officer N Muktheswara Rao, Dr Samudrala Lakshmanaiah, Chenchusubbaiah, Chennakesavulu Naidu, Damodaram Naidu, Hemanth Umar, Tejovani, Srimannarayana, Parameswaraiah and Reddeppa participated in the event which enthralled the audience. Later Telugu Vaitalikulu, show presented by the children attracted the viewers.

The Ugadi fete was conducted jointly by HDPP (Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad) and welfare departments of TTD. SV Music College Principal YVS Padmavathi, HDPP project officer Ramana Prasad, Deputy Eos Snehalatha, Jhansi, Dhananjayulu and others took part.

The festival was observed in local temples under the umbrella of TTD on a grand note. In Tiruchanoor, Padmavathi Ammavari temple, Snapana Tirumanjanam, Pushpa pallaki, Panchanga Sravanam and Ugadi asthanam were held. Govindaraja Swamy temple also witnessed similar programmes. In Kodanda Rama Swamy temple, Pedda Jeer Swamy offered new clothes to the presiding deity. Programmes were also held at Kapileswara Swamy temple.

Several other temples like Sivalayams, Baba temples, Anjaneya swamy temples drew huge crowds on Ugadi day. People in traditional attire visited various temples of their choice from early in the morning and offered prayers. At many temples, big queue lines were seen. People greeted each other on the occasion and exchanged pleasantries.