19-05-2025
Mysore Rajamatha gifts two silver lamps to Tirumala temple
In a poignant gesture that echoes the rich cultural heritage of India's royal patronage to temples, the Rajamatha of Mysore Promoda Devi Wadiyar on Monday (May 19, 2025) gifted two giant-sized silver lamps, popularly referred to as Akhanda Deepalu, to the revered temple of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala.
The act of donation, revives a centuries-old tradition of the Mysore kings, who were cherished for their deep reverence and generous patronage to the hill temple.
It is about 300 years back, that the then rulers of the Mysore kingdom had first presented such lamps to the temple, which are generally lit inside the sanctum sanctorum.
Ms. Wadiyar handed over the pair of lamps each weighing 50 kg to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) chairman B.R. Naidu and Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary, at the Ranganayakula Mandapam inside the temple complex.
