Sri Venkateswara Kalyanam performed

Tirupati, Aug 9(UNI) Sri Venkateswara Kalyanam(Celestial Wedding) was today held in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) administrative officer grounds, amidst chanting of vedic hymns by priests and raising 'Govinda' Govinda' and singing songs on Venkateswara by a large number of devotees.

Organised by the TTD in 150-TTD-Kalyanamandapams, as part of the statewide programme and some places in Karntaka and Tamil Nadu, where Srivari Kalyanotsavam was performed.

On the auspicious Sravan, the birth star of Lord Venkateswara, the celestical wedding was witnessed by more than 15,000 people.

The programme started this evening, with recital of Annamacharya kirthanas, followed by tying of ' kankanas' to the Sridevi and Bhudevi, the two Consorts of the Lord, besides the Lord.

A' Homam' was also performed before offering of the mangalasutras( holy wedding knot) to goddesses. After the offering of mangalsutra, the ' ' aarthi ' was performed to the idols.

The security has been tightened.

The TTD also arranged closed circuits television for the convenience of the devotees to witness the celebrations.

The State Endowment Minister J C Diwakar Reddy, Tirumala Temple Special Officer A V Dharma Reddy, Tirupati MLA M Venkataramana, TUDA Chairman B Karunakar Reddy, among others, participated in the function.

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