The nine-day annual Brahmotsavams in Tirumala started off on a spectacular religious note with the grand ceremonial sacred Garuda flag hoisting ceremony atop the temple pole on Wednesday evening.
Traditionally called Dhwjarohanam, the primary purpose behind this celestial flag hoisting ceremony, bearing the image of Garudalwar-the, the favourite carrier of Sri Maha Vishnu(Venkateswara), is to invite the deities of all the 14 worlds and other celestial beings to participate in the Brahmotsavam festivities.
Later, Chief Minister of Chandra Babu Naidu presented ‘silk vastrams’ to the presiding deity of the Tirumala temple, Sri Venkateswara Swamy, on behalf of the state government.
Clad in traditional robes, the Chief Minister arrived at Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy temple located in front of the main temple.
After a brief customary ceremony there, the temple priests draped a traditional ‘Parivattam’ over the head of the Chief Minister and placed the silver plate containing the sacred ‘Vastrams’ on his head. From there, the CM carried the set of sacred silk robes on his head to the hill temple through the Mahadwaram in a celestial procession amidst the recitation of Veda Mantras and the melodious play of Nadaswaram.
Later, he formally handed over the Pattu Silks to the chief priest inside the sanctum sanctorum. The Chief Minister later offered prayers to the presiding deity of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. After darshan, the CM was rendered Vedasheervachanam at the Ranganayakula Mandapam inside the hill temple.
He was also presented with Theertha Prasadams, a laminated photo of Srivaru on the occasion by the TTD Chairman Sri BR Naidu along with the EO Sri Anil Kumar Singhal.
Significance of Dwajarohanam is that the Vedic chants by the archakas include “Namostute Dhwajaay Sakala Bhuvana Janahitaaya, Vimala Bhodakaaya, Mahita Mangalaaya” during Dwajarohanam, praising the flag as a beacon of purity and prosperity for all, besides reciting Garuda Ashtakam, Garuda Gadya, and Garuda Stuti. These sacred chants purify the environment and invoke the presence of the deities.
The sacred religious event took place in the auspicious Meena Lagnam between 5:43pm and 6:15pm. Earlier in the evening, the Garudapatam, Parivara deities, including Anantha, Garuda, Chakrattalwar and Vishwaksena, were also paraded along four mada streets while the processional deities of Sri Malayappa, flanked by Sridevi and Bhudevi on golden Trichy.
TTD Trust board chairman BR Naidu, EO Anil Kumar Singhal, Kankanabhattar Venugopala Deekshitulu and other board members, officials, temple staff were also present.