Tirupati, June 25: Gaiety and religious fervour marked the unveiling of a statue of Sri Purandaradasa in the presence of seers from various mutts at Alipiri, at the foot of Tirumala today.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman D K Audikesavulu Naidu formally unveiled the statue, amidst chanting of vedic scriptures to the accompaniment of classical music. Speaking on the occasion, Sri Sugunendra Swamiji of the Puttige Mutt, Udupi said that from time immemorial holy places have been a binding force for society, with people from all over the country, regardless of caste, creed and status, converging there to seek spiritual solace. There is every need to enhance them, as they foster emotional union (bhavaikyatha) of the people. Statinig that unity and integrity can only be achieved through spiritualism, the swamiji lauded the TTD’s measures to promote Sanatana Dharma worldwide.
About Purandaradasa, he said the saint poet was foremost among the Dasas who made an outstanding contribution to the bhakti cult through the medium of simple poetry. Purandaradasa’s kirtanas eulogised the eternal beauty of Udupi Srikrishna, Panduranga Vithala and also Tirumala Srinivasa (Venkateswara), thus amply revealing that god is one despite being worshipped in different forms.
The installation of the statue of Purandardaasa, at the foot of Seshachalam, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, was a tribute to the poet who conveyed the essence of epics, puranas and upanishads in his poems for the benefit of humanity.
Suyathindra Swamiji of the Raghavendra Swamy Mutt at Mantralayam and Sri Viswaprasanna Theertha Swamiji of Pezavara Mutt, Udupi spoke about the immeasurable contribution of Puranadarasa for the propagation of bhakti and also praised the TTD for popularising the poems of the saint poet through its Dasa Sahitya project. Devotees from various places in Karnataka turned up in good number to witness the unveiling of the statue of Purndaradasa, the most revered poet for his enchanting verses, attracting both the old and young alike.
Karnataka home minister VS Acharya, TTD executive officer IYR Krishna Rao also spoke.
—Agencies