Ankurarpanam done for Maha Samprokshnam in Tirumala

Ankurarpanam, the "Seed Sowing" ritual for Astabandhana Balalaya Maha Samprokshanam was observed with celestial fervour in Tirumala on Saturday evening. As per the Agama Shastras, such events will be commenced only after observing Ankurarpana which is also known as Beejavapanam.

The Commander-in-Chief of Lord Venkateswara, Sri Vishwaksenulavaru was taken on a procession along the four Mada streets and Senadhipathi Utsavam was observed between 7 pm and 9 pm. Later Medini Puja was conducted near Vasantha Mandapam and Putta Mannu (the holy soil which is used to sow Navadhanayas) was collected. Later, the Ritwiks reached Yagashala and Ankurarpanam was performed between 9 pm and 10 pm.

In Yagashala 28 Homa Gundas were set up each dedicated to a deity. Of them, Pancha Homa Gundas were set for the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara and also for Jaya-Vijaya, Vimana Venkateswara, Yoga Narasimha Swamy, Bhashyakarulavaru, Padipotu Tayaru, Annaprasada Potu Tayaru, Sri Varadaraja Swamy, Sri Vishwaksenulavaru, Sri Garudalwar, Rukmini Satyabhama Sametha Sri Krishna Swamy, and Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswamy.

Ritwiks take up yaga Deeksha

The Ritwiks took up Yaga Deeksha for Maha Samprokshanam under the supervision of the chief priest of Tirumala temple Venugopala Deekshitulu in the Hill Shrine on Saturday morning between 5 am and 7 am. This fete is called Acharya Varanam or Ritwik Varanam. Ritwik has been assigned with his duty for performing the ritual in each Homa Gundam set up at Yaga Shala. From Sunday 12 noon wards, the Ritwiks will invoke the respective deity of each Homa Gundam chanting the related Mantras.

Later, TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal along with Tirumala JEO KS Sreenivasa Raju presented Vastrams to all the Ritwiks. This Vastrams will be considered as "Deeksha Vastrams" which will be worn by the Ritwiks only while performing rituals in yagashala in the next five days.

Agama Book on Mahasamprokshanam released

Anil Kumar Singhal on Saturday evening released a Sanskrit book, "Nigamaghamesukta Astabandhana Maha Samprokshana Vidhihi". Penned by Prof. Parasaram Bhavanarayanacharyulu, Assistant Professor of Vaikhanasa Agama in SV University, there is Telugu translation for each topic within the same book. The book release took place in front of Senadhipathi Utsavam.