Karnataka to issue formal protocol for ceremonial first aarti at Tirupati temple

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday announced that the state government will introduce a formal protocol governing Karnataka's official representation during the first aarti at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.

He said the government would issue an order on Tuesday allowing an authorised representative of Karnataka such as a minister, MLA, chairman, senior government official or judge to perform the ceremonial aarti on behalf of the state whenever the designated Special Officer is unavailable.

The announcement follows Shivakumar's recent visit to Tirupati.

"By the grace of Lord Venkateswara, people from Karnataka have been offering services at Tirupati for many years. The first aarti is meant for Karnataka," Shivakumar said.

According to a long-standing temple tradition, the first aarti of the day at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is offered in the name of Karnataka. The practice is rooted in the historical patronage extended by various Karnataka-based dynasties to the shrine.

The Karnataka government also owns around seven acres of land in Tirupati.

Under the existing practice, the ceremonial honour is received by a designated Special Officer of the Karnataka government. Shivakumar said the new protocol would ensure that, in the absence of the Special Officer, preference is given to another officially authorised representative of the state.

"It could be a minister, an MLA, a chairman, a senior government officer, a judge or any person officially representing the government and duly registered," he said.

Explaining the move, Shivakumar said many legislators from Karnataka visit Tirupati but only receive darshan without getting the opportunity to perform the ceremonial service.

"Just as politicians serve society, government officials also serve society. Under the protocol, all such representatives should get the opportunity to participate in this sacred honour," he said.

Located in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is one of the world's richest and most-visited Hindu shrines. Situated about 250 kilometres from Bengaluru, the temple has long been a popular pilgrimage destination for devotees from Karnataka.

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