YSR presents vastrams to lord Balaji

Tirumala, Sept 26: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekara Reddy has offered a pair of ''Pattu vastrams'' to lord Sri Venkateswara on the first day of nine-day annual Brahmotsavam.

Carrying the ''vastrams'' on his head, the Chief Minister walked from the Pedda Jeer mutt to the temple entrance and presented the vastrams to the priests inside the temple and worshipped the lord last night.

Normally, the presentation is made on the day of 'Garudotsavam' but for security reasons, the chief minister presented the vastrams on the first day of Bhrahmotsavam.

The priests blessed Dr Reddy by chanting vedic hymns.

TTD Trust Board Chairman B Karunakara Reddy presented prasadam to the Chief Minister.

Accompanied by Endowments Minister Diwakar Reddy, TTD Executive Officer APVN Sarma and other officials, Dr Reddy later released the TTD calendar-2007 in the temple.

The chief Minister also inaugurated Sri Vari Vahana mandapam beside pedda jeer muttam.

The 'Garudadhwajam' (hoisting the celestial flag with the emblem of Garuda) was hoisted on the 'Dhwajasthambham' of the main temple, marking the beginning of the annual bhrahmotsavam amid chanting of vedic hyms by priests last evening.

The bejewelled deity of Malayappaswamy along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi in a golden chariot were taken out in a procession along the four-mada streets and culminated at 'Dhwajarohanam.'

UNI