Darbha Mat and Rope Procession Held

The procession of holy Darbha mat and rope used for Dhwajarohanam ceremony during Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavam were brought to the Srivari temple in a grand procession from the TTD forest department office on Saturday by Deputy CF Sri Srinivasulu and his staff.

 

Later, a mat and a rope made of Darbha(holy grass) were placed on the Sesha Vahanam in the Ranganayakula Mandapam at Srivari temple.  These sacred materials will be used in flag hoisting ceremony on September 18.

 

DARBHA MAT AND ROPE PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE

 

Garuda flag hoisting is done to mark the beginning of Brahmotsavam and this event is known as Dhwajarohanam.

 

On this occasion, the Garuda flag is hoisted on the flagpole of the temple and the three crore deities are invited to take part in the Brahmotsavam grandeur.  Ritviks wrap the darbha mat with Vedic mantras around the flagpole.  A rope strung with darbha is wound up to the flagpole.  TTD Forest Department sweats for 10 days and nights in advance to prepare these holy materials with utmost dedication.  Of the two types of Darbhas namely Shiva darbha and Vishnu darbha, Vishnu darbha is used in Tirumala.

 

Vishnu Darbha is specially grown in Chelluru village of Erpedu mandal.  It was brought to Tirumala and dried in low sun for a week, cleaned well and made into a mat and rope.  The forest department staff prepared a darbha mat 22 feet long, seven and a half feet wide and a rope over 200 feet long.

 

Temple Deputy EO Sri Lokanadham, VGO Sri Balireddy and others participated in this program.