The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Varuna Yagam concludes

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Varuna Yagam concludes

Special Correspondent

Three-day ritual held to invoke Lord Venkateswara’s blessings for good rain

— PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

For his benevolence: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy accompanied by Ministers participating in the three-day Varuna Yagam that concluded in Hyderabad on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: The three-day ‘Varuna Yagam’ sponsored by the State government to invoke the blessings of Lord Venkateswara for good rain this season concluded at the Exhibition Grounds here on Saturday after Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy participated in the ‘Purnahuti’ ritual.

With a scarf tied round his head, Dr. Reddy carried ‘pattu’ clothes on his head over the pathway in the huge pandal where the sacred fire was lit and presented them to the presiding deity – the idol of the Lord which was brought from his abode at Tirumala. The scarf was removed by the chief priest of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) which conducted the fire at 108 spots within the pandal.

The ceremonies, however, concluded with a holy bath to the deity after Dr. Reddy left, accepting the prasadam. The holy water from a pot was sprinkled on the Lord and his consorts and then on the crowd. Finance Minister K. Rosaiah who celebrated his birthday on Saturday was present on the occasion.

The large number of devotees had a tough time as they repeatedly rubbed their eyes due to smoke within the pandal which was caused by fire all round.

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