Grand Pushpayagam Performed at Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Vari Temple, Appalayagunta

The annual Pushpayagam was performed with religious fervour at the Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Appalayagunta, on Thursday.

The ritual was conducted as per Agama traditions to atone for any inadvertent lapses that might have occurred during the Annual Brahmotsavams held from June 25 to July 3 in the conduct of daily rituals and festivals.

As part of the celebrations, Snapana Tirumanjanam was performed to Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi from 11 a.m. to 12 noon using milk, curd, honey, sandalwood paste and tender coconut water. The flowers meant for the Pushpayagam were first offered special prayers before the presiding deity and then taken in a ceremonial procession around the temple. The deities were later seated on the Sarvabhupala Vahanam at a specially arranged venue in the temple premises.

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Pushpayagam was performed amid Vedic chanting and traditional music using about 2.5 tonnes of flowers. Eighteen varieties of flowers, including tulasi, chrysanthemum, oleander, mogali, sampangi, rose and lotus, along with six varieties of sacred leaves, were offered to the Lord. The colourful floral ritual filled devotees with spiritual bliss. The celebrations concluded with the Veedhi Utsavam.

Deputy EO Sri Harindranath, AEO Sri Devarajulu, Superintendent Smt. Srivani, Kankanabhattar Sri Suryakumar Acharyulu, Temple Inspector Sri Venugopal, other officials, priests and a large number of devotees participated in the programme.