Religious ecstasy marked the annual ‘Ani Vara Asthanam’ festival, considered as one of the most significant traditional observances at the temple of Lord Venkateswara, on Friday with pontiffs and temple authorities participating in a string of ceremonies that lasted for the entire day.Pedda Jeeyar Swamy, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and TTD Executive Officer M. Ravichandra took part in the festival, which signifies the commencement of the temple’s annual financial accounts.Though the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) now follows the April-March financial year, the centuries-old custom continues to be symbolically observed with the same sanctity.Adding to the significance, silk garments from the famed Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple at Sri Rangam in Tamil Nadu were also ceremonially presented to Lord Venkateswara.The sacred vastrams were first taken to the Pedda Jeeyar Swamy Mutt near the Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple, where special prayers were offered, and were later carried in a traditional procession to the temple amid Vedic chanting and accompaniment of ‘Mangala Vaidyams’.TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Ramesh and Commissioner Vinay took part in the procession, ahead of the ceremonial offering to the presiding deity.Later in the evening, Sri Malayappa Swamy and His consorts were taken out in a grand procession on the ‘Pushpa Pallaki’ along the Mada Streets of the hill shrine marking the conclusion of the festival. Published - July 17, 2026 08:30 pm IST