Rivalry escalates in Tirumala
Sects fight over change in namam of deity
Tirupati: The rivalry between the adherents of the Tangalai and Vadakalai sects in the Srivaishnavas at the famous hill shrine of Venkateswara in Tirumala is turning uglier by the day.
One group has decided to move court against the other over the alleged intentional change in the Namam of the presiding deity.
Recently, members of one sect had intentionally changed the Srivari Namalu on the forehead of the idol of Lord Venkateswara.
According to priests, the size, shape and details of the namam are governed by the Vaikhanasa agamam.
The change was noticed by Sri Pedda Jeeyar who complained to the TTD authorities. The TTD in turn kept a tab on the performance of the priest and took the decision to exclude him from Abhishekam duty after they found him erring again, as was previously reported.
Priests of the Vadakalai sect wear the Tirunamam shaped like the alphabet 'U', while those of the Tengalai sect wear it in the shape of the alphabet ‘Y’.
Temple chief priest A.V. Ramanadeeshitulu said, “We perform pujas to the presiding deity as per Vaiskhanasa agamam. Those who not have proper knowledge of Vaikhanasa agamam are making allegations. It is not correct.”
According to temple sources, the priests are planning to go to court over the issue.