Tirumala, August 18, 2013: The three-day annual Pavithrotsavams took off to a colourful start at the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateswara.

Immense importance is attached to the festival which is performed by the priests seeking expiation for their acts of omissions and commissions done knowingly or unknowingly during the performance of the daily rituals to the presiding deity inside the temple. A sequence of festivities marked the occasion inside the hill temple. Priests performed homam inside the ‘Yagasala’ situated inside the temple complex which was followed by Snapana Thirumanjanam to the processional deities which was succeeded by the conduct of the sacred ‘Pavithra Prathista’.

Break darshan cancelled

In connection with the annual fete the temple administration not only dispensed with the performance of certain day time rituals like – Kalyanotsavams, Brahmotsavams, Vasanthotsavams, Unjal seva and Sahasra deepalankara seva inside the temple but also cancelled the VIP break darshan facility on Sunday morning.

However those who fall under protocol category are exempted.

Source: The Hindu, DT. August 18, 2013.