Bengaluru, July 13 -- In a significant move aimed at strengthening Karnataka's institutional connect with the Tirumala temple, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday announced a new protocol allowing ministers, MLAs, senior government officials, judges and other dignitaries from the state to participate in the first aarti at the Tirumala temple.
Announcing the decision at an event in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the daily first aarti at Tirupati has a special association with Karnataka and that the privilege, earlier restricted to the Chief Minister, would now be extended to other representatives of the state.
"The first aarti performed daily at Tirupati belongs to Karnataka. As per protocol, an order will be issued by the state government ...