Mysore Queen Mother Donates 100 kg Silver Lamps to Tirumala Temple, Revives 300-Year-Old Royal Tradition

In a remarkable act of devotion and heritage, Queen Mother of Mysore Pramoda Devi Wadiyar has donated 100 kg of silver lamps to the revered Tirumala Tirupati temple, reviving a royal tradition that dates back over three centuries.

The donation includes two massive silver Akhand lamps, now destined to burn eternally inside the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Venkateswara’s shrine. These lamps symbolize the eternal divine presence and are deeply significant in Hindu spiritual practice.

A Royal Legacy Rekindled

According to historical records preserved by both the Mysore Palace and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a similar offering was made by the Mysore royalty in the 18th century, establishing a tradition of royal devotion to the temple. With this act, Rajmata Pramoda Devi Wadiyar has reinstated a centuries-old connection between the Mysore royal family and one of the most sacred temples in India.

TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, who officially accepted the lamps, called it a gesture of “profound historical and spiritual value.”

Devotion Meets Cultural Stewardship

Rajmata Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, known for her patronage of arts, heritage, and religious institutions, emphasized her family's enduring commitment to upholding the cultural and spiritual legacies of Mysore. She stated that the offering was not only an act of personal devotion but also a tribute to the values established by her ancestors.

“This is not merely a donation; it’s a continuation of a divine duty rooted in our family’s faith,” she said.

Temple Officials and Devotees React

The temple priests and officials have lauded the donation as a rare and significant event. One senior priest remarked:

“These Akhand lamps are not just silver artifacts. They represent the living connection between royalty, faith, and tradition. Their eternal flame will now illuminate both the temple and our heritage.”

Strengthening Spiritual and Cultural Bonds

This gesture is also seen as a symbolic strengthening of spiritual ties between Karnataka’s erstwhile royal family and the temple in Andhra Pradesh, reaffirming the role of Indian royalty in preserving and promoting sacred traditions across centuries.

As the silver lamps begin their eternal vigil in Tirumala, they carry not only the light of devotion but the enduring legacy of a dynasty deeply woven into India’s spiritual and cultural fabric.