Annamacharya jayanthi celebrations begin tomorrow

Tirupati, May 18 (UNI) The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will celebrate the 600th Jayanthi of Saint Lyricist Annamacharya in a grand manner at Talapaka in Kadapa District, the saint's birth place, from May 19 to 22, TTD Chairman B Karunakar Reddy said.

Addressing the press yesterday, Mr Reddy said the event will begin with 'Nagarasankeerthana' in which 20,000 cultural artistes and Bhajan troupes would participate followed by musical programmes.

'Swapna Tirumanjanam,' 'Unjal Seva' and ' Sri Venkateswara Kalyanam' would be performed while Actor Sobhana would stage a clasical dance show.

On May 22, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy will unveil the 108-foot statue of the saint worth Rs 3.2 crore.

He said Talapaka would be developed into a modern spiritual centre on international standards.

The TTD acquired eight acre of land for constructing spritual 'Udyanavanam,' Sri Venkateswaraswamy Temple and Anamacharya Museum adjoining the imposing statue, he added.

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