TTD's karthika Pournami and Mana gudi celebrations

Tirupathi, November 6: The divine grandeur of the most auspicious day of Karthika Pournami enhanced with the sixth phase of 'Managudi' spiritual programme jointly organized by TTD along with AP Endowments department in the states of AP, TS, TN and Karnataka on Thursday.

Tens of thousands of devotees took part in the Tulsi Pooja and Go Pooja that was being conducted at various temples across the state apart from Karthika Deepotsavam.

TTD Specified Authority Chairman JC Sharma who took part in the programme at Sri Valmikeshwara Swamy temple in Durga Samudram, said, 'Mana Gudi' programme was drawn up three years ago with the idea of promoting the temple-visiting culture among the public especially to those temples which had not seen light or in a state of neglect. 'As a result today we have observed this religious fete in over 54,300 temples not alone in our state but also in TS, TN and Karnataka', he cited.

Later, Tirupati JEO P Bhaskar said, Managudi-the title itself speaks that every individual should feel that the temple is his or her own and should protect its interest. 'Temples are the epitome of our culture. We should protect their legacy for future generations', he maintained.

In connection with this programme, TTD Specified Authority Chief and JEO Tirupati distributed Kankanams, Managudi prasadams to the devotees who thronged the Lord Shiva temple.

On the other hand, as the two spiritual events coincided with each other, it touched off religious ambience all over the district, especially in Tirupati and surrounding areas which are replete with temples, both big and small. TTD held free annaprasadam distribution in about 80 temples in Tirupati on this auspicious occasion. Chandragiri MLA Chevireddi Bhaskar Reddy and former MLA Galla Arunakumari also took part in this fete.

This was preceded by the Managudi fete in the SPW Degree and PG College where the JEO distributed 'Sacred Kankanams' to students. HSPP Special Officer S Raghunath, Srinivasa Kalyanam Special Officer Ramachandra Reddy, Epics Studies officer Damodar Naidu and others were also present.

Deputy CM of AP, Sri KE Krishnamurthy took part in the Managudi at Sri Kailasagirinatha Swamy temple in Kurnool. Chittoor district tops among all the districts of AP and TS with the religious fete being observed in over 8500 temples. TTD distributed over 3.5cr kankanams to all the temples.