Holy Darbha mat procession taken out in Tirumala

Tirumala: Marking a vital milestone in the lead-up to the annual Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavams, the traditional procession of the holy Darbha mat and rope was conducted with religious fervor in Tirumala on Saturday.

TTD JEO Dr. Sharath, accompanied by TTD Deputy Conservator of Forests Phanikumar Naidu, escorted the divine materials to the Srivari temple, placing them reverently at Ranganayakula Mandapam.

These sacred items will be used to hoist the Garuda flag during the Dhwajarohanam ceremony scheduled for September 15 between 6:21 PM and 6:35 PM in the auspicious Meena Lagnam.

The meticulous preparation process begins two weeks in advance. TTD forest staff harvest Vishnu Darbha grass from Chelluru village in Yerpedu mandal, drying it in low sunlight for a week before crafting the final products: a 22-foot-long, 7.5-foot-wide mat weighing approximately 200 kg, and a 250-metre-long rope weighing about 100 kg.

Scientifically known as Desmostachya bipinnata, Darbha grass holds immense scriptural significance. Described in the Rigveda as a purifying material and in the Yajurveda as beneficial for bodily well-being, its high silica content naturally eliminates micro-organisms, rendering it indispensable for Vedic rituals.

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Dusi Venkateswara Rao

Dusi Venkateswara [email protected]