TTD Board member welcomes Karnataka CM Shivakumar's call for 'first aarathi' protocol

Bengaluru, July 14 (PTI) TTD Board member S Naresh Kumar on Tuesday welcomed Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's proposal to evolve a new protocol for the 'first aarathi' offered to Lord Venkateswara at the Tirumala temple, but suggested that the honour should not be confined to political representatives and instead be extended to a distinguished dignitary from Karnataka present at Tirumala on the day. Kumar said the proposal was in keeping with the historical tradition under which the First Aarathi and Nithya Aarathi after the Suprabhata Seva were accorded to the Maharaja of Mysore in recognition of the Mysore royal family's patronage to the Tirupati temple. He underlined that the practice had continued in the name of the State of Karnataka after the princely state's integration. "As a Congress chief minister, Shivakumar is taking keen interest in preserving such historic traditions and religious protocols and seeking to establish an appropriate administrative framework, which is a welcome development," Naresh Kumar said in a statement. He said that even today, the ceremonial lamp and Ghee used for the Aarathi are offered in the name of the Maharaja of Mysore, preserving the long-standing tradition. According to Kumar, when the Maharaja was unable to attend the temple, the Diwan or other senior government representatives used to receive the Arathi on his behalf. However, in the absence of a clearly defined administrative protocol now, officials of the Endowments Department receive the Arathi when the Maharaja is not present. Against this backdrop, he said Shivakumar's proposal to revisit the existing protocol was welcome, but suggested that the honour should not be restricted to political office-bearers. Instead, he said, a protocol should allow a distinguished dignitary from Karnataka who is present at Tirumala on a particular day to receive the Aarathi on behalf of the state. Kumar also said protocol-based practices should not remain confined to temples under the TTD, but should also be considered for major temples in Karnataka in accordance with their respective historical traditions and customs. He further said TTD Board member Bhanu Prakash had misunderstood the context behind the chief minister's proposal, and his response was therefore inappropriate. "If the Government of Karnataka submits an official proposal to the TTD Board, the Board will examine it positively after taking into consideration the temple's traditions, historical background and the existing rules and regulations," Kumar said. PTI GMS ADB