A devotee giving ‘harathi’ to the idol of Lord Kodandarama on ‘Simha Vahanam’ on the third day of the annual Brahmotsavam, at Sri Kondandarama Swamy temple in Tirupati on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

The processional idol of Lord Kodandarama was taken on ‘Simha Vahanam’ and ‘Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam’ around the Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple in the morning and evening of Saturday.

On the third day of the nine-day festivities, the idol was majestically seated on a celestial carrier resembling a lion and taken out in a colourful procession around the temple in the morning. In the evening, the idol was taken on ‘Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam’, a pearl-studded canopy.

Pedda Jeeyangar and Chinna Jeeyangar, the senior and junior pontiffs of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) led the procession, along with the temple officials.

Local temples

Meanwhile, the TTD announced to conduct the annual ‘Brahmotsavams’ at various local temples. The temples in the TTD circuit other than Tirumala are commonly known as local temples.

The Brahmotsavam will be held at the ancient Sri Kodandarama temple in Chandragiri from April 6 to 14. The initiatory ritual ‘Ankurarpanam’ will be performed on April 5. ‘Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam’, the ceremony marking the purification of the precincts by smearing aromatic substances on the inner walls, will be performed on April 1.

Similarly, the Sri Pattabhirama temple at Valmikipuram in Annamayya district will conduct the festivities from April 3 to 11, with ‘Ankurarpanam’ on April 2.

The important days of the festival includes ‘Dhwajarohanam’ (April 3), ‘Hanumanta Vahanam’ (April 4), ‘Rathotsavam and Dhooli Utsavam’ (April 9), ‘Paruveta Utsavam’ (April 10), ‘Vasanthotsavam’, ‘Chakra Snanam and Dhwajavarohanam’ (April 11).

‘Sita Rama Kalyanam’ will be held on April 8, for which married couples (grihastha) will be allowed to attend the event. The ticket for the seva costs ₹500. eom