TIRUMALA: Heralding the commencement of the nine-day celestial ritual of Navahnika Salakatla Brahmotsavams of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala, Dwajarohanam ritual was performed following Vaikhanasa Agama on Friday.
The sacred yellow cloth embossed with the imprint of Lord Garuda — the celestial carrier of Lord Vishnu — was ceremoniously hoisted atop the Dwajasthambham (flag post) inside the hill shrine amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. The Garuda Dwajapatam was hoisted in the auspicious Meena Lagnam between 5.47 and 5.59 pm to the pulsating beat of the temple drums. Dhwajarohanam marks extending an invitation to all the chiefs of different worlds in the cosmos to participate in the Brahmotsavams of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
Both the Pontiffs of Tirumala, Sri Pedda Jeeyar Swamy, Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, all Principal Priests, chief priests, Agama advisors, TTD EO J Shyamala Rao and other officials participated in the ritual. Lord Malayappa, flanked by His Consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, in a golden Tiruchi (palanquin), was then taken out in a procession along with Parivara devathas such as Anantha, Chakra, Garuda and Viswaksena, while the Dwajapatham preceded the divine cavalcade.
Later, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his wife N Bhuvaneswari offered sacred clothes to Lord Venkateswara on behalf of the State Government. Clad in traditional attire, Naidu was received by temple priests, TTD EO and other officials at the Bedi Anjaneya Swamy temple. Temple priests tied Parrivattam to the Chief Minister’s head and handed him the Pattu Vastralu (silk clothes), which he carried on his head and proceeded to the sanctum sanctorum of the Tirumala temple.
Amidst Vedic hymns and divine music with elephants leading from the front, he walked from Bedi Anjaneya Swamy temple to Mahadwaram of Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple, where he was traditionally received by priests and led into the temple.
TTD initiatives are role model for others: Naidu
At the sanctum sanctorum, the priests received the silk clothes, which will be adorned to the deity on the auspicious Garuda Seva. Later, Naidu and Bhuvaneswari were given Vedashriwachanam and Bahumanam on behalf of the temple.
Earlier in the day, a series of special rituals were conducted in the temple, including Ekantha Thirumanjanam, Koluvu and Panchaga Sravanam to Lord Malayappa. The ceremony was immediately followed by Asthanam to the deities at the Tirumalaraya Mandapam inside the main temple complex.
In the night, Lord Malayappa was taken around the Mada streets on the seven-hooded Pedda Sesha Vahanam in a grand procession, marking the beginning of the Vahana Sevas. After the Chief Minister offered Sarkari Harathi, the procession commenced.
Speaking after the darshan, Naidu said he prayed to Sri Venkateswara Swamy for the well-being of humanity. He noted that lakhs of devotees are expected to participate in the ongoing nine-day annual Brahmotsavams. Appreciating the efforts of TTD officials, he said various other pilgrim initiatives taken by the TTD should be a role model for others.
Lord blesses devout from Pedda Sesha Vahanam
The processional deity of Lord Malayappa Swamy rode the seven- hooded serpent Pedda Sesha Vahanam on the first day of the Brahmotsavams on Friday. Accompanied by His Consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, Lord Venkateswara in the form of Vaikunta Narayana, sat majestically on the Pedda Sesha Vahanam