Ananta Padmanabha vratam performed at Tirumala

TIRUMALA: Sri Ananta Padmanabha Vratam was performed with religious fervor here on Sunday on the auspicious day of Bhadrapada Sukla Chaturdasi.In a ceremonial procession the Chakrattalwar was taken to Sri Varaha Swamy temple from Srivari temple by the temple priests amidst chanting of mantras.Abhishekam and special pujas were performed to the Sudarsana Chakram, and the Chakrattalwar was taken for a dip in the Swamy Pushkarini.The Chakratalwar was then taken in a procession back to Srivari temple.Chakrasnanam is performed on four occasions _ Brahmotsavams, Mukkoti Dwadasi, Ratha Saptami and Ananta Padmanabha Vratam — in a year by temple priests.At the holy feet of the presiding deity in the Srivari temple, the priests performed Sri Ananta Padmanabha Vratam by reciting the Vrata Mahatyam.Later, the holy threads (Vrata deeksha kankanam) were distributed to archakas and temple officials.Board chairman K Bapi Raju, who participated in the vratam, told reporters later that Hindu dharma ordains one to perform Ananta Padmanabha Vratam for 14 years for one’s well-being.“Our family has been performing this vratam for the past 12 years.I feel blessed for getting an opportunity to perform the vratam at the abode of Lord Venkateswara this year,’’ he said.The joint executive officer K S Srinivasa Raju, chief vigilance and security officer MK Singh, additional CVSO Sivakumar Reddy, water works executive engineer Narasimha Murthy and other officials were also present.