Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has taken steps to preserve the idols of Sri Venkateswara Swamy from eroding.They decided to curtail the number of ‘abhishekams’.
This was decided by a recent board of trustees.Generally, anointings are performed 450 times a year on various occasions.
Some of these rituals are performed in solitude during festivals.
The priests found that the idols were being eroded by such large-scale ‘abhishekams’.
They say that the faces of the idols have changed and become unclear.Historical evidence suggests that in the past the ‘Sahasra Kalasabhishekam’ was performed only once a year.
Meanwhile, TTD chief priests, Agama advisory council members, and chief priests have made some proposals to the authorities to protect the idols from erosion.In October 2019, the chief priests reported that the faces of the idols are changing due to the frequent Vasanthotsavam, special poojas, and Sahasra Kalashabhishekam sevas.
For this reason, they demanded that the number of anointings should be curtailed.Then, TTD suggested that a special puja be performed once a year.
It was clarified that the Sahasra Kalashabhishekam and Vasanthosthavam should be held once a year as a Saalakatla ceremony.These proposals were recently discussed in the Board of Trustees and the recommendations were approved.
From now on, the special sevas and pujas will be conducted only once a year.