3 weeks ago
TTD Yet to Perform Varuna Yagam Unlike Other AP Temples
Some temples in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh do special prayer ceremonies to ask for rain.
These ceremonies are called Varuna Yagams.
One temple in Srisailam already held a five-day ceremony.
Another temple in Vijayawada is getting ready to hold one too.
But the big temple at Tirumala has not announced a ceremony yet.
Many people are wondering why.
The people who run the Tirumala temple say they are happy to do it if needed.
They say their wise advisors have not recommended it because Tirumala is not facing a drought right now.
They are also busy getting ready for a big festival called Brahmotsavam.
In the past, the temple held rain ceremonies when there were problems, so it may hold one later if needed.
Srisailam Devasthanam conducted a five-day Varuna Yagam from August 7 to August 11.
Vijayawada's Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam scheduled Varuna Yagam, Varuna Japam, and Ghata Abhishekam from August 14 to August 16.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has not announced a Varuna Yagam at Tirumala, raising questions among devotees and some opposition leaders.
A TTD official said Agama scholars and Vedic pundits have not yet recommended the Yagam because there is no drought situation in Tirumala.
TTD performed similar rain rituals in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2023, and during a water crisis at Tirumala in 1979.
- Who
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Srisailam Devasthanam, Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam in Vijayawada, devotees, and opposition leaders
- What
- TTD has not yet announced a Varuna Yagam while other major Andhra Pradesh temples have held or scheduled rain-appeasing rituals amid deficient rainfall concerns
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh (Tirumala, Srisailam, and Vijayawada)
- When
- August (Srisailam Yagam held August 7-11; Vijayawada rituals scheduled August 14-16)
- Why
- Other temples are responding to deficient rainfall, while TTD says advisors have not recommended the ritual because Tirumala has no drought
Devotees and Opposition Leaders
TTD Administration
Need for Varuna Yagam at Tirumala
Devotees and Opposition Leaders
Devotees and some opposition leaders question why TTD has not announced a rain ritual when other major Andhra Pradesh temples have already held or scheduled Yagams amid deficient rainfall.
TTD Administration
TTD says it is ready to conduct the Yagam whenever necessary, but Agama scholars and Vedic pundits have not recommended it because there is no drought in Tirumala.
Reason for the delay
Devotees and Opposition Leaders
Some wonder whether TTD is waiting for the situation to further deteriorate before holding the Varuna Yagam.
TTD Administration
The TTD official stated that advisors have yet to recommend the Yagam this year and that the administration is currently focused on preparations for the upcoming twin Brahmotsavams.
Key facts
- Temple body
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
- Ritual
- Varuna Yagam (rain-appeasing ceremony)
- Srisailam Yagam
- Five days, August 7-11
- Vijayawada rituals
- Varuna Yagam, Varuna Japam, Ghata Abhishekam, August 14-16
- TTD position
- Ready to conduct the ritual whenever the need arises
- Reason for no announcement
- Agama scholars and Vedic pundits have not recommended it; no drought in Tirumala
- Past TTD rain rituals
- 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2023
- 1979 precedent
- Varuna Japam performed after Gogarbham reservoir almost dried up; rains followed
Quotes
Senior TTD official
A senior administrator at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
“TTD has always stepped in to conduct Varuna Yagam whenever the need has arisen for the well‑being of humanity”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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