Date:23/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/23/stories/2007092351130200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Colourful end to Brahmotsavams

Staff Reporter

Devotees participate in Rathotsavam, dragging the vehicle around mada streets

WITH GUSTO: Devotees seen pulling the chariot of Lord Venkateswara round the four mada streets in Tirumala on Saturday as part of the Rathothsavam.

TIRUMALA: Thousands of devotees participated in the ‘Rathotsavam’ (car festival) on Saturday on the penultimate day of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.

The processional deity of Lord Malayappa flanked by his two consorts -- Sri devi and Bhoo devi mounted atop the wooden chariot was dragged around the mada streets amidst great religious fervour.

Decorated

The giant car was decorated with a variety of flowers, cloth balloons, flags and festoons. Devotees queued up on the sides of the chariot along the mada streets to catch a glimpse of the procession. Devotees threw coins, salt and pepper on the chariot as it passed by despite repeated appeals by the TTD staff not to do so. While the TTD engineering personnel manoeuvred the movement of the chariot and the application of the hydraulic brakes the TTD security and vigilance staff along with the police personnel rendered an excellent job in managing the crowd and making the event incident free.

Hymns recited

Soon after the chariot reached its destined place the temple priests and veda parayanamdars led by the priests recited hymns from holy scriptures. It took more than two and half hours for the colourful procession to conclude.