Thousands of devotees witnessed the procession of ‘Kalpavriksha Vahanam’ organised on Tuesday on the fourth day of the Brahmotsavam.
The processional deity, Lord Malayappa Swamy, flanked on either side by His two divine consorts, was carried in a grand procession around the mada streets of the hill temple atop the golden ‘Kalpavriksha (Tree of boons) Vahanam’.
Other heavenly objects like Kamadhenu and Chintamani also formed part of the assemblage atop the bespangled ‘vahanam.’
Thirumanjanam
It is widely believed that all the wishes of the devotees shall be fulfilled by just praying to the Lord while on the ‘vahanam.’ According to mythology, the celestial tree — Kalpavriksha — is a divine component that had surfaced during the churning of the milky ocean (Ksheera Sagaram) even before the inception of the universe. Later in the afternoon for the third consecutive day, the ‘Snapana Thirumanjanam’ was observed to the deities inside the temple.
The evening witnessed a traditional reception being accorded to the sacred garlands that reached the town from the temple of goddess Andal at Srivilliputtur in Tamil Nadu.
Grand procession
The authorities received the garlands which shall be adorned to the deity on Wednesday on the eve of the auspicious Garuda Seva and took them in a grand procession along the thoroughfares of the sacred shrine before finally handing them over to the chief priest inside the hill temple.
The day came to an end with the procession of ‘Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam’ in the night.
