TTD cancels VIP break darshan at Tirumala on March 17 and 19 for Ugadi festivities

Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) cancelled the most sought-after VIP break darshan at the Tirumala temple on March 17 and 19 due to festivities scheduled for Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, on March 19.According to the TTD sources, Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam is scheduled to be held inside the Tirumala temple on March 17 as a prelude to Ugadi, which falls on March 19. As such, TTD authorities made it clear that no VIP recommendation letters will be accepted from devotees on March 16 and 18.TTD appealed to devotees to take note of the decision and plan their pilgrimage to Tirumala accordingly.Meanwhile, a series of 3 Asthanams will be held at Tirumala this month, starting with the Ugadi Asthanam on March 19. A series of special rituals will be held at the onset of Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram (Telugu New Year) inside the Tirumala temple, and priests and Vedic scholars will read the Panchangam before the main deity and the processional deities, as is customary.Similarly, the Srirama Navami Asthanam and Pattabhisheka Asthanam will also be held at the Tirumala temple on March 27 and 28.