The traditional temple-cleansing ritual of "Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam" was performed with great religious fervour in the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala on Tuesday prior to the auspicious Vaikuntha Ekadasi on December 29.
The cleansing which took place between 6 am and 10 am used an aromatic mixture called "Parimalam" - an amalgamation of turmeric, vermilion and kicchiligadda (a local root plant) - that was smeared along the walls, floor and roof of the main temple as part of the cleansing process.
The puja utensils inside the sanctum sactorum were also brought out and cleaned.
In keeping with temple tradition, the minor shrines inside the Maha Prakaram, too, were cleansed along with the main temple.
Earlier, the TTD had cancelled the "Astadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva" in this connection. The "Sarva Darshanam" to pilgrims commenced at 11 am.
TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal, CVSO A Ravikrishna and Temple Deputy EO Kodanda Rama Rao were present at the ritual along with others.