Tirupati: The colourful annual Laksha Kumkumarchana was held with religious fervour at the renowned Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple in Tiruchanoor on Thursday. As part of the preparations for the upcoming Brahmotsavams festival, temple priests performed the sacred ritual where the processional deity of Goddess Padmavathi Devi was offered archana with vermilion by chanting Her divine name one lakh times.
The day began with Suprabhatam prayers and Sahasranamarchana followed by other predawn rituals for the presiding deity. The utsava murthy of Goddess Padmavathi was then ceremoniously brought to the Sri Krishna Mukha Mandapam for the main Laksha Kumkumarchana ceremony.
For over four hours, Veda pundits, priests and thousands of devotees recited the Goddess' names and offered vermilion to the dazzling, jewel-adorned processional deity. Kumkuma holds great significance in Hindu rituals as married women apply sindoor in the hairline seeking the well being and long life of their husbands.
The Laksha Kumkumarchana was the first major festivity leading up to the annual Brahmotsavams at the temple which will commence on Friday with Dhwajarohanam ceremony. Ankurarpanam, the festival of prelude to the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams was observed with religious fervour at the hill temple of Lord Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala on Thursday evening.
