Local trust cited as precedent as politician urges Tirumala to act
Vijayawada — YSRCP Vijayawada district president and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Wednesday criticised the TTD administration for not holding a Varuna Yagam, a ritual intended to propitiate the rain god, at Tirumala despite public concern over a deficient monsoon attributed to El Niño.
Mr Reddy pointed to smaller but prominent shrines that have conducted rain rituals this season, specifically the Sri Mallikarjuna Devasthanam at Srisailam and the Durga Malleswara Devasthanam in Vijayawada, and asked why the TTD had not followed suit. The criticism was reported by The Hindu.
“Being the largest temple trust in the world that claims to be the torch-bearer of Sanatana Dharma, it is the bounden duty of the TTD to conduct ‘Varuna Yagam’ to help the global farming community tide over the crisis,”
Mr Reddy also recalled that the TTD had organised numerous ritual ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying such rites were intended to calm devotees and offer moral support. The remarks were framed around concerns over lower-than-normal rainfall this season, which officials and forecasters have linked to the prevailing El Niño conditions.
What was done locally and what is being asked
According to the report, two well-known temples have already conducted rain-related ceremonies this year:
- Sri Mallikarjuna Devasthanam, Srisailam — conducted rain rituals in response to public sentiment.
- Durga Malleswara Devasthanam, Vijayawada — also held ceremonies aimed at invoking rain.
Mr Reddy’s critique targets the TTD administration at Tirumala for not holding a similar ritual despite the trust’s stature and past practice of performing large-scale ceremonies in times of communal anxiety.
| Temple | Action reported |
|---|---|
| Sri Mallikarjuna Devasthanam, Srisailam | Conducted rain rituals |
| Durga Malleswara Devasthanam, Vijayawada | Conducted rain rituals |
| Tirumala (TTD) | Has not conducted Varuna Yagam (as per criticism) |
Context and possible ramifications
El Niño conditions are widely reported to have contributed to a dearth of rain this season, and the issue has raised public anxiety, especially among farming communities dependent on monsoon rains. Mr Reddy framed his call as both a religious and social appeal, urging the TTD to act in what he described as the interest of the wider agricultural community and the devout.
The TTD has previously organised large ritual events in response to public concerns; Mr Reddy’s comments referenced the trust’s past role during the COVID-19 pandemic when, he said, it conducted “scores” of rituals aimed at bringing reassurance to devotees.
There was no immediate official response from the TTD recorded in the report. The matter touches on the wider intersection of religion, public sentiment and administrative decisions around temple trusts — an area that often draws scrutiny both from devotees and political actors.
Key considerations for Vijayawada residents
- Local religious institutions such as the Durga Malleswara Devasthanam have already carried out rain-invoking rituals, reflecting community concern.
- The criticism is aimed at TTD’s decision-making; any subsequent action or response by Tirumala authorities may shape public discourse in the region.
- Farmers and water managers remain the groups most directly affected by reduced rainfall; ritual responses are one of several social reactions to the shortfall.
The report was based on coverage published by The Hindu on August 12, 2026.
