Date:21/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/21/stories/2004092108980400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR presents `silk vasthrams' to Lord

By Our Staff Reporter.

TIRUMALA, SEPT. 20. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, presented a pair of `silk vasthrams' to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on Monday on behalf of the State Government on the eve of `Garuda Seva', the most important festival during the ongoing nine-day annual Brahmotsavams.

Dr. Reddy, who reached Tirumala at 4.30 pm, straightaway proceeded towards the Bedi Anjaneyaswamy temple, situated 200 feet opposite the main temple complex, where the temple priests, after completing the religious formalities, tied a `silk parivattam' (headgear) around Dr. Reddy's head. YSR clad in white dhoti and shirt carried the silver plate, with the silk vasthrams over it, on his head and walked down towards the temple `Mahadwaram' in procession, led by jumbos, horses, oxen, `nadaswaram' and other temple paraphernalia.

The Chief Minister handed over the silk vasthrams to the chief priest of the temple inside the sanctum sanctorum. He stood for nearly ten minutes in front of the presiding deity and paid obeisance.

The Union Minister, Panabaka Lakshmi, the Endowments Minister, M. Satyanarayana Rao, the TTD Chairman, T. Subbirami Reddy, the Executive Officer, Ajeya Kallam, and the IG (Rayalaseema zone), R.P.Meena, were among those who escorted him into the temple.

`It's a privilege'

Soon after coming out of the temple complex, Dr. Reddy, who spoke to mediapersons, said that it was indeed a privilege for him to participate in the presentation ceremony.

Further, he said that he had prayed to the Lord for good rain, harvest, job opportunities, besides the overall development of the State. He, however, refused to comment on the `Mahaprakaram' issue and brushed it aside, saying " this is not the time to talk about controversial issues."