March 31, 2014: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), in collaboration with Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad and Department of Welfare, welcomed the Telugu New Year with religious fervour at Mahati Auditorium, here on Monday.

The celebrations began with a traditional music programme where performances were rendered by artistes of TTD’s Sri Venkateswara Music College. Considered to be one of the major events, the traditional ‘Panchanga Sravanam’ was delivered by Vendantam Rajagopala Chakravarthy, who appealed to people to listen to the recitation every year.

“According to the Vedas, listening to ‘Panchanga Sravanam’ helps a person to convert dormant good deeds in the heart to the implementation stage. It will also pass on the virtues to their family and future generations,” he added.

After conveying their greetings to the people, TTD executive officer M.G. Gopal flanked by other officials released books on ‘Sanatana Dharma’, ‘Harikatha’ and other traditional aspects. “Some of them have been specifically written for children to inculcate a sense of religious fervour,” they maintained.

The celebrations later continued with a string of cultural programmes like ‘Kavi Sammelanam’, traditional food competition, dance and skits.

Meanwhile, devotional singer Shobha Raju, who is well-known for reciting the compositions of saint-composer Annamacharya, gave a performance at Tirupati Press Club. Government Observation Home for Boys near Mangalam and Akshaya Kshetram, a home for differently-abled people also organised Ugadi celebrations at their respective places.

The district administration and cultural organisations celebrated Ugadi on a grand scale at different places in the city.

A good number of people arrived at the utsav organised by the district administration at SV kala kshetra where popular film music director Thaman was felicitated in recognition of his contribution to Telugu cinema.

The highlight of the occasion was the arrival of District Collector N. Srikanth and Additional Joint Collector Rajkumar at the venue in traditional dress. Joint Collector G. Rekha Rani was also present.

Mr. Thaman said he would remain indebted to the people for their patronage and for giving him a chance in the world of Telugu film music. He extended good wishes to people on the occasion of Ugadi.

The speakers at the function expressed hope that Ugadi would usher in a year of happiness, prosperity and well-being.

Special Ugadi celebrations were held at the Sai Baba Mandir located at Balajinagar and Children’s Park here.

The district of Chittoor, especially the rural pockets, came alive with Ugadi celebrations. Special pujas were performed at the famous temple of Lord Vinayaka at Kanipakkam, 15 km from here. Thousands of families thronged the temple, marking the Telugu New Year. The presiding deity was decorated with flowers. Panchamrutha abhishekam was performed and in the evening, panchaga sravanam was arranged. The temple administration also distributed Ugadi pachchadi and prasadam to the devotees.

In Kuppam, people thronged the Puli Gangamma and Lord Shiva temple.

In Chittoor, Collector K. Ramgopal launched Sri Jayanama Ugadi celebrations at ZP meeting hall, and called on people to spread the message of unity. After rendering Panchaga Sravanam, Ugadi pickle was distributed.

Cultural programmes by schoolchildren enthralled the gathering. The Collector felicitated Vedic pundit Phani Kumar and honoured writers such as M.R. Arunakumari, Pathan Khadarvali, Molakala Shilpa and others.

The District Revenue Officer, Ongole Seshaiah, RDO Penchala Kishore, DPRO Leelavathi and other senior officials took part.