World · India Bureau
Tirumala Rathotsavam draws massive crowds as deity procession continues
The penultimate day of the annual Brahmotsavams at Tirumala witnessed large gatherings of devotees as Lord Malayappa Swamy was ceremonially taken through the Mada streets on an ornate wooden chariot. The sacred procession featured the deity accompanied by consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi as worshippers chanted religious hymns and participated in the traditional rope-pulling ritual.
LSN India ·
Thousands of devotees converged on the temple town of Tirumala on the ninth day of the ongoing Brahmotsavams festival, one of the most significant religious celebrations in South India. The Rathotsavam, or chariot procession, saw Lord Malayappa Swamy, the presiding deity of the Tirupati shrine, being transported through the sacred Mada streets on an elaborately decorated wooden chariot.
The procession maintained its traditional grandeur, with the deity flanked by his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi as per Hindu iconographic conventions. Pilgrims lined the streets, chanting 'Govinda, Govinda' in devotional fervor while engaging in the ritualistic rope-pulling that forms an integral part of the festival celebrations.
The Brahmotsavams, an annual eleven-day festival, attracts pilgrims from across India and abroad. The Rathotsavam day, traditionally one of the most popular among devotees, witnessed particularly high attendance as the festivities approached their conclusion. Temple authorities managed the large crowds gathered to witness the sacred procession and participate in the religious observances.