Vaikhanasa pundits refute Jeeyars comments

TIRUPATI: Vaikhanasa Agama pandits in Tirumala and Tirupati condemned the comments of Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamy who criticised the rituals at Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala. They maintained that rituals in the temple were being performed as per Vaikhansa Agama Sastra and it is not proper for outsiders to comment on such issues.Speaking to reporters on Friday, on the issue of rituals being performed in Tirumala temple after midnight, members of Vaikhanasa Agama Pandita Mandali maintained that every ritual is being performed as per Vaikhanasa Agama. “As per tradition, Shatkararchanas need to be performed to Lord Venkateswara, that is six times in a day--pre dawn, morning, afternoon, twilight, night and midnight,” they said and added that it will be wrong if the ritual is not performed at midnight.On the issue of 1,000 pillar mandapam, quoting from sacred texts, they said it has no significance in Vaikhanasa Agama. “It was constructed by King Sadasivarayulu for the convenience of the visiting devotees at that time.It was demolished for the benefit of pilgrims now and it would not have any adverse effect,” they said. The pandits said that the sanctity and spiritual ambience of Tirumala Divyakshetram is being maintained with the cooperation and coordination between archakas, acharyapursha, jeeyangar, TTD, government and devotees. “If there are any lapses in rituals, it is the duty of Agama Advisory Council, Jeeyangars and Vaikhanasa pandits to point out and rectify the same. We are here for the same. If anyone proves that what we are doing is wrong, we are ready to leave Tirumala for them to perform the rituals,” TTD Agama advisor Vedantam Vishnubhatacharyulu said.He expressed anguish over such a sensitive matter being made a public issue and creating confusion in the minds of people. “If he (Chinna Jeeyar) has any grievances or issues, he can discuss the same with Agama pundits concerned, instead of making it a public debate,” said G Prabhakaracharulu and V Gopalakrishnamacharyulu, along with other pandits.