Thousands of devotees witnessed the procession of Chinna Sesha vahanam organised on the second day of the on-going nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.
The processional deity of Lord Malayappa Swamy mounted atop the golden Chinna Sesha vahanam was taken out in a grand procession around the mada streets encircling the sacred shrine providing a divine feast to the eyes of the congregated devotees. While scores of cultural and bhajan troops who danced in tandem to the rhythmic beat of the traditional drums preceded the procession, the ‘Veda Gosti' – a band of Sri Vaishnavite scholars headed by both the senior and junior pontiffs of the hill temple formed the front of the colourful procession which lasted for more than two hours.
To add to the grandeur was half-a-dozen well trained caparisoned elephants, horses and bulls that marched in all their majesty behind the Brahma Ratham much to the delight of the assembled devotees. According to the mythology, it is strongly believed that Chinna Sesha is the personification of Vasuki – the king of serpents. To make the human race conscious of the divine Kundalini energy which enables one reach the 8.4 millionth manifestations – the last in the cosmic life cycle the Lord rides Chinna vahanam.
Later in the afternoon Snapana Thriumanjanam was ceremoniously conducted to the deities inside the main temple complex. The deities seated on a high altar were given a celestial bath with scented water, sandalwood paste and tulsi.
The day came to an end with the procession of Hamsa vahanam in the night. With the day being the auspicious Peratasi Saturday, the temple town witnessed a swarming crowd from the morning. Tens of thousands of devotees reached the town on foot.
Flower exhibitionMeanwhile, TTD Specified Authority Chairman J.C. Sharma and Executive officer M.G. Gopal formally inaugurated the flower exhibition at Kalyana Vedika on the Papavinasanam road and media centre at the Ram Bagaicha guest house.
