Chants of Govinda...Govinda Echoes in Tirumala

On the penultimate day of annual Brahmotsavams at Tirumala, the grand procession of the mammoth wooden chariot was held on Friday amidst a huge participation of devotees.

The giant car marched along the jam-packed four mada streets with pilgrims on the bright Sunny day with the divine chants of Govinda.... Govinda echoing everywhere.

The processional deities of Sri Malayappa Swamy,  Sri Devi and Bhudevi mounted on a well-decked platform inside the chariot was dragged by enthusiastic pilgrims  with religious pomp and gaiety. 

As Tallapaka Annamacharya described in his sankeertan,  “the sky and earth became one as the Brahmanda(Mammoth) Ratham marched along the streets and it is a treat to the eyes who witness the grand celestial procession of this Maha Ratham”. 

Special rituals:

After the conduct of special rituals such as ‘Punyavachanam' and ‘Navagraha Dhyanam,' the processional deities of Sri Malayappa flanked by His two divine consorts  were ceremoniously mounted atop the giant wooden chariot.

The chariot was tastefully decorated with different varieties of flowers, flags and festoons. As is customary, the golden umbrella was tied atop the mammoth chariot. 

The chariot majestically rolled down the thoroughfares of the hill temple preceded by temple paraphernalia, including half-a-dozen caparisoned elephants, horses, bulls, cultural and bhajan troops besides a contingent of Vedic pundits led by the priests of the temple. 

A sea of humanity turned out on the Eighth day as a part of the ongoing Navahnika Salakatla Brahmotsavams to witness "Brahmanda Nayakuni Maha Rathotsavam".

Both the Pontiffs of Tirumala, TTD EO Sri J Syamala Rao, Additional EO Sri Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, JEOs Smt Goutami, Sri Veerabrahmam, CVSO Sri Sridhar, CE Sri Satyanarayana and other officers were also present