Telangana Government Performs Varuna Yagam at Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

The Government of Telangana conducted a 'Varuna Yagam' on Monday morning on the banks of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam across the Krishna River in Nalgonda district. Organised under the aegis of the Endowments Department, the religious ritual was held to pray for abundant rainfall, bountiful harvests, and increased inflows into the state's major rivers.

Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and his wife participated in the Yagam from early Monday morning. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was scheduled to participate in the 'Poornahuti', the concluding ritual offering, later in the afternoon. Other key attendees included Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, along with various ministers, MPs, MLCs, and MLAs.

The rituals were conducted by priests and Vedic scholars from the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Yadagirigutta, who had fixed the auspicious date and time. The event brought together 108 'Rithwiks' and involved 11 'Homa Kundas', or sacrificial fire pits.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the government decided to conduct the Varuna Yagam to seek the all-round well-being of the people of Telangana and the country. He noted that prayers were being offered for the vigorous flow of both the Krishna and Godavari rivers to ensure the filling of Nagarjuna Sagar and other reservoirs and tanks across the state, as well as to keep Telangana free from the impact of El Niño.

Although rainfall during the second half of July and early August brought the state's Southwest monsoon rainfall deficit down to 5 per cent, key reservoirs in the Krishna and Godavari basins are yet to receive major inflows. Officials reported that Nagarjuna Sagar currently holds 145.65 TMC of water against its gross capacity of 312.045 TMC. Its current water level is around 518 feet, significantly lower than the full reservoir level of 590 feet. By comparison, on August 9 last year, the reservoir held 310.25 TMC with a water level of 589.40 feet.