The annual Navaratri Brahmotsavams got off to a colourful start at the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateswara on Wednesday with the procession of Golden Tiruchi.
The processional deity Lord Malayappa, flanked on side by his two divine consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi adorned with very rare and precious jewels, was taken out in a grand procession around the mada streets marking the inaugural day of the nine-day religious carnival. As is the convention scores of cultural and dance troops preceded the divine procession.
A series of rituals were carried out at the hill temple. While Suprabhatam, Suddhi, Thomala, Koluvu, Panchanga Sravanam and Ekanta Thirumanjanam dominated the religious proceedings in the morning Navaratri koluvu and Asthanam were carried out in the night with the two-time processions in between.
The entire temple complex was colourfully illuminated and its inner precincts tastefully decorated with a large variety of flowers.
TTD Executive Officer D. Sambasiva Rao said that arrangements were in place to enable the pilgrims have darshan of the presiding deity in three to four hours during the festival period.
The visiting pilgrim can avail free food at the Nitya Annadanam complex which will remain functional till late in the mid night on all the days of the festival.
Huge LCD screens were set-up by the authorities of the TTD-run Sri Venkateswara Bhakthi Channel (SVBC) at all the vantage points around the mada streets to provide a better view of the processions to the assembled devotees.
The day finally came to an end with the procession of Pedda Sesha Vshsnsm in the night.
