Endowments minister inaugurates 22-km Giri Pradakshina route at Srikalahasti

Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, along with Srikalahasti legislator Bojjala Sudheer Reddy, inaugurated the Sivam to Sivam Giri Pradakshina road a day ahead of the auspicious Maha Shivaratri festival eve at Srikalahasti in Tirupati district on Saturday.As per customary practice, the state endowments minister offered Pattu Vastrams on behalf of the state govt to Lord Srikalahasteeswara Swamy and Goddess Gnana Prasoonambika Devi at the Srikalahasti temple on Saturday.Srikalahasti Devasthanams chairman Kotte Sai Prasad, along with EO T Bapi Reddy and the temple priests, rendered Vedasirvachanam and handed out the temple's prasadams to the endowments minister.Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Sivam to Sivam Giri Pradakshina road, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy asserted that the long-cherished dream of devotees to tread around the sacred Srikalahasti shrine in the form of a Giri Pradakshina, on the lines of the famed Lord Shiva temple at Arunachalam in Tamil Nadu, was fulfilled today.The endowments minister underlined that the state govt spent Rs 10 crore to establish the 22 km-long Sivam to Sivam Giri Pradakshina route, with the aim of enhancing the spiritual ambience around Srikalahasti and enriching the pilgrimage experience for visiting devotees.Srikalahasti TDP legislator Bojjala Sudheer Reddy noted that the state govt was infusing funds for the comprehensive development of the Srikalahasti temple, and various works, including the beautification of the Swarnamukhi river, were underway.Meanwhile, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy told reporters that extensive arrangements were in place to provide a hassle-free Darshan for all devotees at prominent Lord Shiva temples across the state on the auspicious Maha Shivaratri festival eve on Sunday."Elaborate security arrangements were made at Srisailam, Srikalahasti, Mahanandi, Draksharamam, Yaganti, Kotappa Konda and other major temples across the state. The respective temple trust boards, in coordination with the district administration and the local police, will ensure the Maha Shivaratri festivities pass off smoothly without any untoward incidents," the endowments minister added.