TIRUPATI: Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanoor celebrated the annual Varalakshmi Vratam with religious fervour on Friday, attracting a large number of devotees. The Astalakshmi mandapam, specially decorated for the occasion, turned out to be a major attraction.The day began with Suprabhata Seva, followed by Sahasranamarchana, Nityarchana and Abhishekam to both the presiding and processional deities. Priests adorned Goddess Padmavathi with nine sacred threads (Granthis), each symbolising a different deity. Temple priest Srinivasa Acharyulu explained the significance of the Vratam, as described in the Bhavishyottara Purana by Sage Vyasa. Ammavaru received 12 varieties of Naivedyam, before the ritual concluded with Maha Mangala Harati. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams executive officer J. Syamala Rao told media that 52 TTD temples in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana distributed eight lakh glass bangles, 1.6 lakh kankanams, 1.6 lakh turmeric threads, 1.6 lakh kumkum packets, and Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali booklets as prasadam. The floral decorations at Astalakshmi mandapam drew special attention. 40 staff members of the TTD Garden department used three tonnes of traditional flowers and 30,000 cut flowers over three days to decorate the temple, Asthana mandapam and the Vratha mandapam. A donor from Chennai sponsored the decoration, according to the Garden department deputy director S. Srinivasulu. In the evening, Padmavathi Ammavaru blessed the devotees from the temple’s Golden Chariot that proceeded in a procession around the four mada streets. Additional EO Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, TTD board members, JEO V. Veerabrahmam, CV&SO Murali Krishna, temple deputy EO P. Harindranath, HDPP secretary Sriram Raghunath, officials, priests and a large number of devotees participated in the celebrations.
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