{"product_id":"the-priests-of-tirumala-p-v-r-k-prasad-9781517021023","title":"The Priests of Tirumala","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Temple of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, India, is the world's wealthiest and most visited temple. People flock here from all parts of the world to catch a fleeting glimpse of the self-manifested icon of Lord Venkateswara and submit their woes at his lotus feet.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs the pilgrims stand for hours waiting for their chance to draw near, groups of pious priests and temple servants move about unhindered.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWho are these privileged people?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRather than discussing the Lord Venkateswara, the topic of most books on the Tirumala Temple, this unique book focuses on those who perform the worship, revealing the remarkably efficient ancient system of checks and balances regulating rituals performed by the families of priests and functionaries who have been dedicating their lives to the temple throughout generations stretching back a thousand years.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Priests of Tirumala\u003c\/i\u003e is organized into three main sections that tell the fascinating stories of the Mirasi Archaka families, Jiyangar matham, and Acharya Purushas. The book offers a wealth of painstakingly collected details on the temple's history about the way rituals are conducted by different functionaries inside the sanctum-bringing to light the inner workings of this intriguing institution like never before.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e P. V. R. K. Prasad, Sridhar V. Basavaraju\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1517021022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781517021023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Createspace Independent Publishing Platform\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/22\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 134\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.42lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.29d","brand":"P. V. R. K. Prasad","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43940026548479,"sku":"9781517021023","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_605d16fe-db23-4bdd-89a3-3a80e618ea88.jpg?v=1681444860","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-priests-of-tirumala-p-v-r-k-prasad-9781517021023","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}