On the second day of the ongoing nine-day annual Brahmotsavams on Sunday, the processional deity of Lord Malayappa Swamy was taken out in a grand procession around the mada streets encircling the holy shrine.
Thousands of devotees witnessed the divine procession which lasted for more than two hours. While a battery of Vedic pundits headed by the senior pontiff, Sri Tiruvengada Ramanuja Pedda Jeeyar, constituted the fascia of the procession, scores of cultural and bhajan troops that followed nevertheless was a feast to the eyes of the devotees. The procession of the Chinna Sesha Vahanam, which according to mythology is believed to be serpant Vasuki, was organised to enlighten the devotees about the importance of the hidden Kundalini energy within man besides enabling him attain his 8.4 millionth manifestation – the last in the cosmic life cycle.
Earlier, a series of special rituals dominated the religious proceedings in the hill temple since the break of dawn which included Koluvu, Panchanga Sravanam inside the Bangaru Vakili besides Ekantha Thirumanjanam to the utsava deities at Ranganayakula Mandapam followed by Snapana Thirumanjanam in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who stayed put the previous night atop the temple town in connection with the customary presentation of vastrams, motored down to Renigunta airport in the morning from where he flew back to Hyderabad.
Marginal increase in pilgrim turnout
On the other hand, the town on Sunday witnessed a marginal increase in the turnout of the pilgrim crowd.
The day came to an end with a colourful procession of Hamsa Vahanam in the night.
