ALL SET FOR SURYA PUJOTSAVAM IN MATSYAVATARA TEMPLE

Tirupati, 22 March 2015: The temple administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is set for the unique, amazing and which is often believed to be astronomical marvel fete of Surya Pujotsvam from March 24 to 28 in the ancient temple of Sri Vedanarayana Swami in Nagalapuram where the presiding deity is in Matsyavatara-the first incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu, which is located about 70 km from here.

The festival attracts thousands of devotees from all over the State and Tamil Nadu. The unique feature of the festival is the falling of the sun’s rays on the presiding deity of Lord Sri Vedanarayana situated inside the sanctum sanctorum, only on these days. Travelling a distance of 630 feet from the temple tower, the rays of the setting sun slowly enters the main threshold and further into the ‘Garbagriha’ and stops at the deity’s feet, navel and crown on the first, second and third day respectively. As it occurs never again in other parts of the year, it is considered an astronomical marvel and its a standing example for the architectural skills of Vijayanagara rulers.

The event is also viewed as a form of the Sun paying obeisance to the Lord and hence is called ‘Surya Puja’. The legend also says that in a bid to save the Vedas from Asura, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu has fought for thousands of years and succeeded in His effort. To give a soothing relief and refresh energy to Lord, the Sun God touches His entire body with his rays in a phased manner on each day.

The TTD management has decided to make the five-day event special by arranging ‘Snapana Tirumanjanam’ (celestial bath) to the deities of Sri Vedanarayana and His consort Vedavalli everyday in the morning.

After the ‘Surya Puja’ from 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm, a procession will be taken in the streets of the village (Tiruveedhi Utsavam) in the evening and the lord will be taken on Tiruchi on first three days, on ‘Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam’ on the fourth day and ‘Sesha Vahanam’ on the final day.

Special devotional programmes will be conducted daily under the auspices of Annamacharya Project.

ISSUED BY TTDs PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI