Mangaluru: The pontiff of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan Shrimad Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji took a holy dip in the Pushkarini (holy pond) of Tirumala Sri Venkataramana Swamy temple.
Pushkarini or popularly known as 'Swami Pushkarini' is a holy pond situated in the sacred premises of Tirumala Temple. It is located on the left hand side of the sanctum.
It has its own religious significance. This is also considered to be the holy lake of 'Vaikuntha', where Lord Vishnu used to take bath with his wife.
Garuda (a mythological bird with eagle head and human body, believed to be the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) is believed to have brought the 'theertha' (holy water) at this site.
The legends have it that, this river was created by Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. According to the legends, Swamy Pushkarini Lake has the waters of Vaikuntha Dhaama, the abode of Lord Vishnu.
When Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi descended to Earth for visiting Tirumala Temple, they took a bath in this holy pond of Swami Pushkarini. Since then, the customary practice of bathing in this pond started and is followed.