Karnataka To Extend Tirumala First Aarti Privilege To Ministers MLAs And Senior Officials

The Karnataka government has announced a major change in the long standing protocol associated with the First Aarti at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the privilege, which has traditionally been limited to the Chief Minister or an authorised representative, will now be extended to ministers, legislators, judges, Members of Parliament, and senior government officials representing the state.

The announcement was made during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Sri Shanmukha Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Banashankari, Bengaluru. The Chief Minister said the state government would soon issue an official protocol order outlining the revised arrangements.

According to the Chief Minister, the decision is intended to ensure that more representatives of Karnataka are able to participate in the sacred ritual while officially representing the state. He said many public representatives had visited Tirumala in the past but were unable to receive the same level of access for darshan. Under the proposed protocol, eligible dignitaries will be able to witness the First Aarti and offer prayers on behalf of Karnataka.

The First Aarti at the Tirumala temple has deep historical significance for Karnataka. The tradition dates back nearly four centuries and is linked to the contributions made by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire and later the Mysore Wadiyar dynasty. Historical accounts state that these rulers donated gold, jewellery, land, and other resources for the temple’s daily rituals and religious activities.

Because the former Mysore Kingdom supported the temple’s daily worship and provided materials required for religious ceremonies, its rulers were granted the honour of receiving the first ceremonial offering each morning. After Independence, Karnataka continued this historic privilege through established government protocol.

Under the existing arrangement, the Chief Minister represents the state during the First Aarti. If the Chief Minister is unavailable, an authorised government official attends the ceremony and receives the temple honours on behalf of Karnataka.

D K Shivakumar described the proposed expansion of the protocol as one of the most significant decisions of his tenure. He said the move would allow ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament, judges, and senior Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service officers to participate in the revered ritual while officially representing the state.

The Chief Minister also shared a personal reflection during his address. He said Lord Venkateswara has been his family’s presiding deity and recalled that he had been unable to visit Tirumala for a long period before making a recent visit. According to him, the idea of expanding the protocol emerged during that visit.

He further recalled that during the tenure of former Chief Minister S M Krishna, a Karnataka Trust was established in Tirupati and he had been entrusted with responsibilities related to it. However, those plans could not be fully implemented before the government’s term ended. The Chief Minister said the present decision was an opportunity to carry that vision forward through a revised protocol that allows broader participation by Karnataka’s official representatives.