Srivari Brahmotsavam — A celestial spectacle on earth , a special edition from The Hindu group of publications ahead of the annual festival at Tirumala, was formally released by Sri Venkateswara University Vice-Chancellor Wudayagiri Rajendra here on Tuesday.
Undoubtedly a “collector’s copy,” the book discusses every facet of the Venkateswara temple and the activities of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Looking beyond the temple’s mythology and history, and the grandeur of the Vahanams taken out during the annual fete, the book has elaborately dealt with the financial management and accounting system, the security measures in place to tackle the heavy inflow of devotees and the social activities of the TTD. Also of relevance are the articles on the utility of tonsured hair, the making of the famous laddu, the geology of the hills and the rich biodiversity the Seshachalam hills are endowed with.
Prof. Rajendra appreciated the painstaking efforts taken by The Hindu to showcase Tirumala in a different light. Himself a biologist, he called Tirumala a treasure trove of rare herbs and pointed out that the university’s chemistry and botany departments were engaged in collaborative research on the medicinal plants.
Superintendent of Police (Tirupati Urban) S.V. Rajasekhar Babu, who received the first copy from the Vice-Chancellor, stressed the need to disseminate such valuable information as anything on Tirumala would be of interest to readers of The Hindu across the globe.
Arun Anant , CEO of Kasturi and Sons Ltd, the company that publishes The Hindu, delivered the inaugural address. The daily’s Business Editor Raghuvir Srinivasan, who anchored the book, gave a brief introduction on its contents, while Managing Editor V. Jayanth proposed a vote of thanks.
