In what is considered as the revival of the age-old tradition, the processional deity of Goddess Padmavati Ammavaru at Tiruchanoor was on Friday adorned with the sacred ‘Lakshmi haram' of Lord Venkateswara.
The antique ‘haram', which generally adorns the presiding deity at the Tirumala temple, was specially commissioned from the hill temple on the eve of the auspicious ‘Gaja vahanam' observed on the fifth day (Friday) as part of the on-going annual Karthika Brahmotsavam of Goddess Padmavati.
The ‘Lakshmi haram' is a long necklace made up of gold coins and is estimated to weigh over 20 kg. Ahead of the presentation ceremony, the ‘haram' was taken out in a grand procession around the mada streets of the Tirumala temple and was traditionally taken to the ‘Pasupu mandapam' at Tiruchanoor by two Joint Executive Officers, who later handed it over to the temple priests.
