It was a grand spectacle to watch the Goddess Padmavati ride the golden chariot as part of her spring fiesta currently under way at Tiruchanur here on Sunday.
The ride on ‘Swarna Ratham’ was part of the ongoing three-day ‘Vasanthotsavam’ festival conducted by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management to mark the onset of spring. The festival symbolically seeks to offer respite to the deity from the oppressive heat.
The special feature of the festival is the impressive participation of women devotees, who cheerfully pulled the wooden chariot along the four streets encircling the temple.
The chants of ‘Govinda and Padmavathi Nama’ rent the air during the hour-long procession.
Celestial bath
In the afternoon, ‘Snapana Tirumanjanam’ was performed, when a celestial bath was given to the deity of the Goddess at the Friday Gardens situated opposite the temple.
Joint Executive Officer Pola Bhaskar, Special Grade Deputy Executive Officer Chenchu Lakshmi and Assistant Executive Officer Naga Rathna led the procession.
