Tamil Tiruppavai stanzas to be recited at Tirupati hill shrine

: Tamil 'Tiruppavai' stanzas would be recited in place of Sanskrit 'Suprabhatham' hymns by priests early each day at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala in Dhanurmasam month, commencing from December 17 to January 14 2017, a senior temple official said today.
"In accordance with the centuries old custom,recitation of Tamil stanzas composed and sung by saint poet Sri Andal is presented before the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara in the month of Dhanurmasam,"Public Relations Office Talari Ravi said.
Sri Andal is the only female Alwar of 12 alwars who immersed and espoused their devotion in Lord Vishnu in between 5th and 10th centuries AD, he said.

Devotees would not be allowed into the shrine during the recitation of Tiruppavai ritual, he said, adding that the Suprabhatham recital would be resumed only from January 15.