Kumaradhara Theertha Mukkoti Observed with Religious Fervour

Tirumala, 9 Mar. 20: The torrent festival of Kumaradhara Theertha Mukkoti was observed with religious fervour in Tirumala on Monday.

The annual ‘Mukkoti’ festival of Kumaradhara Teertham was held coinciding with the auspicious ‘Magha Pournami’, at Tirumala. A special puja was performed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in the sacred Theertham on the day.

The three crore Theerthas, believed to be present in the Seshachalam ranges, are broadly divided into four categories viz., ‘Dharma Ratiprada’, ‘Gnanaprada’, ‘Bhaktivairagyaprada’ and ‘Muktiprada’. The Kumaradhara Theertham falls under the last category and is considered as the first and foremost with its significance explained in Vamana, Varaha, Padma and Markandeya Puranas of Venkatachala Mahatyam.

According to Vamana and Varaha Puranas, the Theertham attained the name after an old man was transformed into a teenager by the Lord Himself moved by his devotion. In Sanskrit, the teenager is referred to as ‘Kaumara’ or ‘Kumaradasa’ and hence the name.

Devotees thronged in large numbers to take part in the torrent festival on Monday. TTD has made elaborate Annaprasadam and Buttermilk arrangements while the Engineering and Forest Wings of TTD provided the way to reach the Theertham with ease by making necessary arrangements.