A priest offering ‘harati’ to Lord Malayappa atop the Surya Prabha Vahanam, on the seventh day of the ongoing Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala on Tuesday.
On the seventh day of the ongoing Brahmotsavams on Tuesday, Lord Malayappa rode the dazzling Surya Prabha Vahanam.
The processional deity of Lord Malayappa, dressed in the attire of Lord Badrinarayana, was taken out in a grand procession around the hill shrine, providing a visual feast to the scores of devotees who lined up along the mada streets.
Immense significance is attached to the vahana seva as it is widely believed that having darshan of the Lord bestows the devotees with health and prosperity, as the Sun God is revered as the dispeller of disease and one who bestows health and energy.
Addressing the media, TTD PRO T. Ravi said the dedicated services of Srivari Sevaks on the Garuda Seva day had won them accolades from the devotees. The services of around 3,500 sevaks had ensured that even the last devotee in the galleries received free food packets, beverages and water at regular intervals.
According to the Special Officer (catering) Sastry, over 9.28 lakh food packets had been distributed among the pilgrims, in addition to 6.27 lakh cups of beverages and 4.36 lakh biscuit packets on the day of Garuda Seva alone.
The afternoon session was marked by the conduct of ‘Snapana Thirumanjanam’ to the deities for the second time during the festival at the Ranganayakula mandapam, embellished with colorful orchids, aromatic flowers. The garlands adorned to the deities were made up of dry fruits, kiwi, pineapple, ‘vatteveru’, cloves, roses and tulasi.
In the evening, the erstwhile ‘mirasidars’ of the Kalyanakatta fixed the golden umbrella atop the wooden chariot for the ‘Rathotsavam’ slated on Wednesday.
The daylong festivities wrapped up with the procession of ‘Chandraprabha Vahanam’ in the night followed by other rituals at the ‘yagasala’ inside the temple.
Published – September 30, 2025 09:29 pm IST
