With the growing usage of technology, WhatsApp services have become a necessity for millions of people around the world. Now, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is contemplating to make use of this facility to facilitate divine darshan in temples all over the state, particularly at Tirumala.
He felt it will make devotees obtain divine darshan facilities on the day of their choice. Nowadays, many people are using WhatsApp to book movie tickets, gas books, bus tickets and flight services. At a review meeting with endowment officers recently, the Chief Minister has reportedly suggested that this facility be extended at Tirumala.
As there is a lot of pressure for recommendation letters for Lord Venkateswara darshan at Tirumala, the Chief Minister said introducing WhatsApp services may enable common people also to reserve their darshan slots well in advance. Asking them to first introduce the system at Tirumala, he said that later it may be gradually extended to all other temples.
Not only Darshan, all other requirements like accommodation also may be provided through WhatsApp. Moreover, the Chief Minister also suggested reviewing charges of various sevas and also prices of various facilities at Tirumala, so as to think of providing them for devotees at an affordable price.
Meanwhile, Tirumala is getting ready for Sri Venkateswara Swamy’s annual Brahmotsavam from October 4th to 12th. They will be started with an Ankurarpanam to be performed on Thursday evening from 7 to 8 pm. Before performing any festival, Ankurarpanam is performed to pray to the Lord for success.
As part of this, Sri Vishvaksenula, who is the head of the army on behalf of Srivari, will go in a procession through the four Mada streets of the temple and supervise the Brahmotsavam arrangements.
The traditional Ankuraropanam or Beejavapanam is one of the most important rituals of the Vaikhanasa Agama which essentially is the Seed Swing Festival that is observed in Tirumala as a ritual of prelude on a day before the annual Brahmotsavam. The essence of this ritual is to make a sankalpa (wish) to celebrate a festival in a successful manner and get the grace of the Mula Virat.
Another important thing to note is that Ankurarpanam should never be done in the daytime. This dictum has its basis in astrological principles as Chandra, the Moon is often termed as the “Sasya karaka” the controller of plants.
Sowing a seed in the day time is not considered wise. In fact chandra is considered strong in the night. Also an auspicious lagna or muhurta is considered to sow the Nava Dhanyas.
