9-Day Brahmotsavams conclude at Tiruchanur in Tirupati

Tirupati: The nine-day Karthika Brahmotsvams of Goddess Padmvathi Devi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara came to an end on Sunday with ceremonial Panchami theertham held at the temple tank, Padma Pushkarini, at Tiruchanur, near here.

Marking the occasion, Chakrathalwar, the holy disc was immersed in the waters of temple tank amidst religious fervour and gaiety, after an hour-long Snapana Thirumanjam was performed along with the deity of Sri Padmavathi on the banks of Pushkarini.

Even as the priests were giving a holy dip to Chakrathalwar at the stipulated auspicious hour in the noon, thousands of devotees more so women who were patiently waiting, simultaneously had a dip in the temple tank, chanting `Govinda, Govindaaa' reverberating the skylines.

Incessant rains and inclement cold weather in no way deterred the devotional enthusiasm of devotees from Southern States of India, turning up in huge numbers for Panchami Theertham on Sunday.

Every inch of Padma Pushkarini was occupied by devotees who stood in sacred waters of the temple tank for over four hours braving heavy rain to take a holy dip. The elaborate security arrangements by the TTD along with Tirupati urban police saw the mega event pass off smoothly and incident-free despite a heavy turnout of devotees.

In all a big contingent of 2,650 securing personnel including 1600 police, 350 TTD security and remaining scouts and guides, NCC cadets and Srivari Sevaks were involved to ensure the smooth conduct of the last event of the nine-day Brahmotsvams.

Preceding Chakrasnanam, series of rituals including Choornabhishekam to the deity was rendered amidst chanting of Sri Sooktham in the temple and later the deity was taken in a colourful procession to Panchami Theertha mandapam where rituals including Navakalasa Aavahana followed by Vishwaksena Aradhana, Punyahavachanam and Snapana Thirumanjanam were performed as per Pancharatra Agama Vidhi.

During the Snapanam, garlands and crowns made of different flowers, fruits and seeds were decked to Goddess. The garlands and crowns included dry grapes, coconut tree leaves, dry fruits, cuscus, flowers, Pavitras and Tulasi seeds.

The gifts (Sare) from Lord Venkateswara on the birthday of His beloved better half Goddess Padmavathi which were brought from Tirumala, were taken in a procession and offered during Snapanam.

TTD personnel led by Additional EO A V Dharma Reddy brought the Sare which was later carried by TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy and Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal in a procession to Panchami Theertha mandapam for presenting it to Goddess, following the age-old temple practice.

This year as a present from Lord Venkateswara, diamond-studded golden Lakshmi Vaddanam (waist ornament) weighing around 1.3 kg was decked to Goddess Padmavathi Devi as birthday present during Snapanam.