(Our Special Correspondent)
Tirumala: President Droupadi Murmu has offered prayers at the shrine of Sri Venkateswara
Swamy on the seven hills on Monday. as per the temple tradition, the President first offered prayers in Swamy Pushkarini and later had darshan of Sri Varahaswami Swamy temple.
Thereafter, the President reached Mahadwaram of Srivari temple, she was received by the TTD Chairman Y V Subba Reddy along with TTD EO AV Dharma Reddy. The temple Archakas welcomed her with the traditional Istikaphal honours amidst chanting of
Veda Mantras in the accompaniment of Melam. The President and her entourage went for Srivari Darshan and offered prayers to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara inside the sanctum sanctorum. The chief priest explained about the significance of the Mula Virat, the jewels adorned to the chief deity and Kshetra Mahatyam.Later the President was offered Veda Ashirvachanam at Ranganayakula Mandapam.
The TTD Chairman and EO together presented Srivari Theertha Prasadams and Dry Flower Technology photo of Lord Venkateswara along with 2023 TTD Diaries and Calendars to the President. Union Minister G Kishen Reddy, Dy state CMs Narayana Swamy and Satyanarayana, besides Roja were present.
Both the Senior and Junior Pontiffs of Tirumala, and one of the chief priests of temple Venugopala Deekshitulu were also present. Among others who were present include; AK Singhal (Principal Secretary ), Ravishankar Iyer (Additional DGP), Ravi Prakash (DIG), Venkatramana Reddy (Collector), Parameshwar Reddy (SP, Tirupati), Rishant Reddy (SP Chittoor), Narasimha Kishore (CVSO of TTD ), besides others.
