Sacred Darbha mat, rope brought to Tirumala temple for Brahmotsavams
Tirumala, Sept 12 (TNT): The sacred Darbha mat and rope to be used for hoisting the Garuda flag during the annual Brahmotsavams were brought to the Srivari temple here on Saturday.
TTD JEO Dr Sharath and Deputy Conservator of Forests Phanikumar Naidu brought the sacred materials to the temple and placed them at Ranganayakula Mandapam.
The Darbha mat and rope will be used during the Dhwajarohanam ceremony scheduled for September 15 between 6.21 pm and 6.35 pm in the auspicious Meena Lagnam.
According to TTD, preparations of the sacred items begin about two weeks ahead of the Brahmotsavams.
Of the two types of Darbha grass, Shiva Darbha and Vishnu Darbha, the latter is used for making the mat and rope.
TTD forest staff collect Vishnu Darbha from Chelluru village in Yerpedu mandal of Tirupati district. The grass is dried under low sunlight for about a week and then cleaned before being made into the sacred articles.
The Darbha mat is about 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide and weighs around 200 kg, while the rope is about 250 metres long and weighs around 100 kg.
Darbha, scientifically known as Desmostachya bipinnata, is considered sacred and has an important place in Hindu religious traditions and Vedic rituals.
TNT LE
