Tirupati: A 62-year-old devotee from Mamillapalle in Yerramukkapalli of Kadapa district, RGV Reddy, donated 108 golden lotuses to Lord Venkateswara Swamy at the renowned Tirumala temple on Wednesday.
The donation, valued around Rs 2 crore, was handed over to the temple officials in the presence of Lalithaa Jewellery managing director Kiran Kumar. Kumar said these exquisite golden lotus flowers were specially crafted by skilled artisans over a period of six months.
The donation carries a historical significance. In 1984, a Muslim devotee presented 108 golden lotuses to Lord Venkateswara Swamy. These were then used for the Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana seva at the Srivari temple, during the Golden Jubilee Year of TTD.
During the Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana seva, temple priests initiated the puja by offering incense sticks (dhupa) and ghee lamps (dhipa) to the main deity. Subsequently, they recite the divine 108 names of the Lord. With each name uttered, one golden lotus is offered at the holy feet of the Lord.
The introduction of the golden lotuses in this seva added an element of opulence and spirituality to the worship, making it a unique ritual. However, TTD has not clarified whether the newly donated flowers will be incorporated into this ritual or utilized in a different capacity within the temple.
