Will promote desi cow breeds: TTD chief

Tirupati: One of the chief mottos of TTD is to protect and promote desi breeds of cow and enhance their produce as part of Hindu Sanatana Dharma, said TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy.

The TTD Board chief graced the Gopuja Mahotsavam at SV Gosala in Tirupati held on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, he said there were about 2,991 cattle in SV Dairy Farm as well in Palamaner Goshala owned by TTD. These cows comprise nearly 39 desi breeds.

"We want to enhance their number by safeguarding the indigenous cow breeds," he added. Earlier special abhishekam was performed to the presiding deity of Sri Venugopala Swamy in the Gosala followed by Gopuja by Chairman and others.

Government Whip Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Palamaner MLA Venkatesh Goud, SV GO Samrakshana Shala Director Dr K Harinath Reddy and others were present. Meanwhile, the two-day Krishnashtami celebrations in Hare Krishna Lotus temple of ISKCON began on a colourful note.

The temple was decorated with flowers and illuminated with dazzling electric lights of various colours. Large number of devotees turned up from the city and surrounding areas to have darshan of Lord Krishna in ISKCON temple which was thrown open for darshan early in the morning after Mangalaharathi.

The annual festival Sri Krishnastami was celebrated with religious fervour in Tirumala on Friday. Special Abhishekam was performed to Kaliya Mardana Sri Krishna at Gogarbham Gardens in Tirumala under the aegis of garden wing of TTD.

Deputy Director of Gardens Srinivasulu performed the Abhishekam with milk, curd, honey, turmeric and coconut water. This was followed by Utlotsavam wherein enthusiastic youth took part in the traditional mud pot breaking fete. In view of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Asthanam was performed in Tirumala temple on Friday between 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm. On Saturday, Utlotsavam will be observed in Tirumala between 4 pm and 8 pm.