TIRUPATI: Tirumala on Monday celebrated with religious fervour Anivara Asthanam – the traditional day marking commencement of new annual accounts at the Srivari Temple – at the Bangaru Vakili located within the hill temple.
Utsava idols of Sri Malayappa and His consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, mounted on Sarvabhupala Vahanam, were placed at Ganta Mandapam near Bangaru Vakili, along with the idol Sri Vishwaksena, the commander-in-chief of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Special rituals were performed to the idols in the presence of Tirumala pontiffs, Pedda Jeeyar Swamy and Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) executive officer (EO) A.V. Dharma Reddy.
Following the rituals, the senior pontiff carried six silk garments (pattu vastrams) in a silver plate placed on his head and entered the Srivari Temple amidst playing of traditional music (mangala vadyam). Four of these garments were adorned on Mula Virat idol, while one each was presented to Sri Malayappa and Sri Vishwaksena.
Then, the temple's chief archaka donned the "Parivattam" headdress and bestowed blessings with words "Nitya Aishvaryobhava." Subsequently, the archakas handed over the temple's key bunch, known as "Lacchanna," to the Tirumala pontiffs and the EO.
Following the Asthanam, Lord Malayappa Swamy, flanked by Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side, was taken out in a procession on the colourful Pushpa Pallaki around the four mada streets. The Pallaki consists of a diorama of Bhu sameta Srinivasa in the front top of the palanquin with the figurines of Chinni Krishna on either side with Lord Hanuman leading behind. Erode-based donor Senguttuvan has come forward to donate for this year's theme of Pushpa Pallaki. Six varieties of flowers were used to decorate the divine palanquin.
The Anivara Asthanam concluded with placement of this key bunch at the feet of the Mula Virat.
Speaking on the occasion, the TTD executive officer A.V. Dharma Reddy said in the past, custodians of the Srivari Temple, known as Mahants, maintained the accounts of income, expenses, and reserves on an annual basis starting with Anivara Asthanam. However, after the establishment of the TTD board, the annual accounting has shifted to April-March period.
As part of Vaikhanasa customs followed during Anivara Asthanam festival, officials from Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, presented silk garments to Srivaru. Led by TN endowments minister Shekar Babu and accompanied by Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and EO Dharma Reddy, Srirangam officials carried the silk garments in a procession along the Mada streets before entering the Srivari Temple.
