Elected representatives from Karnataka to be allowed to participate in first arathi at Tirupati

The State government will issue an order allowing elected representatives, officials and VIPs from Karnataka to participate, as per protocol, in the first arathi offered daily to Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Sunday.

“The first arathi to Lord Venkateswara is performed on behalf of Karnataka. Currently, only the Chief Minister (of Karnataka) is entitled to participate in the pooja at the inner entrance of the temple. Karnataka’s Special Officer takes the arathi,” he said during the foundation-laying ceremony for the Shanmukha Subramanya Swamy Temple here.

“I have asked officials to issue an order allowing Ministers, legislators, judges, senior officials and others representing the Karnataka Government and visiting Tirumala to take the arathi,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that on several occasions, many legislators had returned without getting darshan and that, with the latest decision, they would be allowed to take arathi. “Those serving the State have been allowed to pray to the Lord. This is an important announcement of my tenure,” he said.

He also recalled that, although Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati was his family deity, he had not visited the temple until recently since his release from jail.