The annual Salakatla Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara on Tirumala on Friday (September 26) transformed into a dazzling celebration of the country’s diverse cultural heritage, as the sacred precincts around the hill temple reverberated with music, rhythm and colour.

Against the majestic backdrop of the Simha Vahanam procession, devotees experienced a breathtaking spectacle of folk dances and classical art forms drawn from across the country, turning the spiritual carnival into a living canvas of India’s unity in diversity.

A total of 20 vibrant troupes comprising 557 artistes from nine States (from among the troupes from 28 States that travelled to the town to take part in the festival) captivated thousands of pilgrims with their performances, lending an added grandeur to the Vahana Seva.

From the Gussadi dance of Telangana’s Gond tribe, marked by warrior-like vigour, to the intricate Tippani of Gujarat and the sensuous, rhythmic Lavani of Maharashtra, every performance carried the heartbeat of its native soil. The graceful elegance of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, the energetic Bihu of Assam, the pulsating Sambalpuri of Odisha, and the spirited Dhak of West Bengal, traditionally performed during Durga Puja, drew thunderous applause. Karnataka’s Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam and Jharkhand’s mask-laden Gaurasur added a layer of mystique, while dazzling drum acrobatics kept the audience spellbound.

Each art form told a story of devotion and valour, weaving together traditions that span centuries.

The convergence of cultures offered devotees an everlasting spiritual and aesthetic experience, reaffirming the Brahmotsavams not merely as a religious festival, but also a resplendent tribute to the country’s timeless cultural integrity.