Date:18/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/18/stories/2004101802910500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Thousands converge at Tirumala

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA, OCT. 17. On the fourth day of the ongoing nine-day Navarathri Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara, the processional deities of Lord Malayappa Swamy, accompanied by his two divine consorts, were brought in a procession on the exquisitely decorated Golden `Kalpa Vriksha' vahanam, this morning.

Thousands of devotees participated in the festival, as the `Kalpa Vriksha' vahanam procession holds a unique significance. It is the age-old belief of the devotees that, all their prayers shall be fulfilled by witnessing the holy procession. According to mythology, it is believed that, the divine tree - `Kalpa Vriksha' satisfies all the desires of the devotees.

Unjal Seva

After the routine rituals inside the temple, performed specially in connection with the ongoing mega event, the deities were taken to the unjal mandapam for Unjal Seva.

Later, in the night, the deities were again taken around the mada streets in a colourful procession on the tastefully decorated `Sarva--Bhoopala' vahanam.

Holiday rush peaks

The influx of the pilgrim crowd, which was on a steady increase all these days, reached to a considerable peak, today. The T.T.D. management had made elaborate arrangements to cope with the heavy rush. Following Dasara vacation, devotees particularly from the neighbouring States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu made their way to the temple town.