Expiation important to uphold sanctity of temples, says TTD Agama advisor

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Agama advisor Kanduri Srinivasacharyulu, who is also a senior priest at Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple in Tiruchanur, has stressed the process of atonement to restore sanctity in the temple after an undesirable act is performed.

The Tirupati regional centre of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), functioning under the Union Ministry of Culture, organised a lecture series on ‘Vaishnava Agama’ in association with National Sanskrit University (NSU) on Thursday, where Mr. Srinivasacharyulu spoke on ‘Prayaschittha Vidhanam in Pavitrotsavam of Sri Pancharatra Agama’.

Elaborating on the scriptural basis, ritual procedures and theological significance of expiatory rites as prescribed in Pancharatra Agama (doctrine of temple worship), he explained how the ‘Pavitrotsavam’, a purificatory ritual performed in temples, ensures rectification of ritual omissions and upholds sanctity according to Agamic injunctions.

NSU Visishtadvaita Vedanta department’s head Prof. Chakravarthy Raghavan stressed the importance of systematic study of temple worship procedures to avoid omissions.

IGNCA Tirupati Regional Director K.T.V. Raghavan said the lecture series aimed at promoting deeper understanding of Vaishnava temple traditions and ritual practices.

Scholars, research students, temple priests and devotees took part in the deliberations.