It was a spectacular start to the annual ‘Kartheeka Brahmotsavams’ at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple, located in the southern suburbs of Tiruchanur here on Friday. ‘Dhwajarohanam’ was performed to signal the beginning of the nine-day festival. At 9 a.m. when the auspicious ‘Vrischika Lagnam’ was on, the priests hoisted the sacred flag ‘Dhwaja Patam’ atop the flag post, amid the chanting of hymns from scriptures and beating of traditional percussion instruments.
While the flag at Tirumala bears the image of Venkateswara’s favourite celestial carrier Garuda, the flag at Tiruchanur carries the image of an elephant, the carrier of the goddess. The flag was carried in a procession ahead of the hoisting ceremony. According to mythology, the ‘Brahmotsavam’ is a festival conducted by Brahma and the hoisting of flag is considered an invitation to the celestial beings to witness the grand event.
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda arrived at the temple to offer prayers.
