Tirupati: Ramanujacharya’s principles continue to guide Srivari temple services: Pedda Jeeyar Swamy
Tirupati, Aug 17 (TNT): The service traditions and rituals prescribed by Bhagavad Ramanujacharya for the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala continue to be followed even today, Tirumala Pedda Jeeyar Swamy said on Monday.
Speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day national conference on “Spiritual Services of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas”, organised by the TTD Alwar Divya Prabandha Project at Annamacharya Kalamandiram here, Pedda Jeeyar Swamy said Ramanujacharya systematised the daily rituals and services at the Tirumala temple, Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple and other Divya Desams.
He also strengthened arrangements for conducting the annual Brahmotsavams at Tirumala and promoted inclusive participation in the service of the Lord.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy said Ramanujacharya, regarded as an incarnation of Adisesha, played a significant role in systematising services at Tirumala.
He said Ramanujacharya introduced the Friday Abhishekam, established the conch and discus to the Lord and ensured that Alwar hymns were incorporated into temple services.
Former Special Officer of the Alwar Project Dr Madabhushi Varadarajan explained the contribution of Acharya Pundarikaksha in establishing the systematic recitation of the 4,000 hymns of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham in Vaishnava temples.
Hyderabad-based Sri Parakalan Swamy spoke on “The Spiritual Services of Sri Nathamuni and Pundarikaksha” and highlighted Nathamuni’s contribution to compiling the 4,000 hymns of the Alwars as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
In the afternoon session, Raghavan Swamy, Tiruvallikeni Sri Srinivasan Swamy, Rangarajan of Chennai and Madhavan Swamy spoke on the spiritual contributions of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas, Srivari service traditions, Visishtadvaita philosophy and the significance of Alwar hymns.
Several scholars also presented research papers at the conference.
Special Officer of the Alwar Divya Prabandha Project Tirumalishai Alwar, scholars, researchers and a large number of devotees participated in the programme.
TNT LE
