Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will be offering ‘pattu vastrams’ to Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarujna Swamy temple at Srisailan on February 23 on the occasion of Mahasivaratri Brahmotsavams.
This is the first time a Chief Minister will be offering silk vastrams to the deity on behalf of the State government, say temple officials, adding that it is common for the Endowments Minister or the district Minister to do the honours. In Tirumala, however, it is the Chief Minister who offers ‘pattu vastrams’ to Lord Venkateswara.
Mahasivaratri Brahmotsavams will be conducted from February 19 to March 1, and the temple management is making elaborate arrangements in anticipation of a huge influx of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
‘Pattu vastrams’ will also be offered to the presiding deity by the Srikalahasti temple on February 19, Dwaraka Tirumala temple on February 20, Sri Kanaka Durga temple on February 21, and the Kanipakam temple and the TTD on February 22, say officials.
“This is Mr. Naidu’s third visit to the temple after coming to power. He had visited to offer Jala Harathi and later for the trial run of the seaplane service from Vijayawada to Srisailam,”’ the officials say.
Srisailam temple Executive Officer M. Srinivasa Rao on Thursday reviewed the arrangements being made for providing safe drinking water to the devotees during the festivities. He wanted the officials to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water to the devotees.
“Take adequate measures to purify water meant for drinking purposes to avoid water-borne diseases,”‘ he said. Mr Srinivasa Rao also asked officials to arrange laddu prasadam sale counters at the parking place at the CRO and other places for the convenience of the devotees.
