Sonia Gandhi offers prayers at Tirupati

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, Tirupati.

On her arrival, Sonia was accorded a traditional reception by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam that manages the affairs of the temple.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh accompanied her.

During her 10-minute stay in the sanctum sanctorum, Gandhi watched the aarthi being offered to the presiding deity. She made an offering in the hundi (offering box) situated in the northeast corner of the 2000-year-old temple.

She also offered prayers to the golden dwajasthambham (holy flag mast) and the sacred golden balipeetam (altar) at the temple.

Before leaving the shrine, the UPA chairperson was presented a sacred silk cloth and prasadam by TTD Board chairman B Karunakara Reddy while priests, amid the chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras, invoked the blessings of the lord for her at the ancient 'Sri Rangamandapam' in the temple.

Temple sources said this was her second visit to Tirumala. She had earlier visited the temple on January 28, 1999.