Ponnakalva Utsavam Held in Tiruchanoor

Tiruchanoor, 29 April 2018: The Festival of Summer Resort-Ponnakalva Utsavam was observed with religious fervour on the auspicious day of Chitra Pournami on Sunday as a part of Vasanthotsavam at Tiruchanoor.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has embarked on a mission of reviving old and traditional rituals. One such important festival is “Ponnakalva Utsavam” which was revived by TTD in 2007 after 25 years.

The processional deities of Lord Govinda Raja Swamy, Goddesses

Sri Devi, Bhu Devi, Andal Sri Goda Devi, Lord Sri Krishna Swamy and commander-in-chief Vishwaksena were taken out on a procession from Sri Govinda Raja Swamy temple before sun rise to Ponnakalva Mandapam located in Tiruchanoor road.

Here the priests performed Snapana Tirumanjanam giving celestial bath with aromatic substances to the deities who were halted for a summer holiday providing solace. 

The unique feature is that Snapana Tirumanjanam is performed on Swing (usually deities will be seated on a platform while rendering celestial bath). Hundreds of villagers thronged to see this interesting religious fete.

Later in the evening, since Lord Govinda Raja Swamy paved a visit to the house of His younger brother Lord Venkateswara Swamy who resides at Tiruchanoor in the residence of Goddess Padmavathi Devi.

An interesting custom takes places here where the Goddess Padmavathi greets Her brother-in-law at the entrance with one door open and standing behind the closed door as a mark of respect as per the age-old tradition. After their celestial meet, Lord Sri Govindaraja Swamy returns to His temple in the evening with which the religious event concludes.

TTD has made elaborate arrangements for this event. Annaprasadam was also distributed to the devotees who took part in this celestial fete. 

Temple DyEO Smt Varalakshmi and others took part.