Lord rides on Simha Vahanam

Tirumala:  Among the great grand gala of religious activities as a part of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams, Snapana Thirumanjanam (celestial bath to the deities) is one of the most significant rituals. The surprise display at the Snapana Thirumanjanam ritual on Saturday, on the third day of the ongoing Brahmotsavam was not just garlands with varieties of flowers but a massive green canopy made out of dry fruits, grass and grains too. Conceptualised to appease the Lord to bestow farmers with good harvest by blessing with good rains, the utsava deities of Sridevi, Malayappaswamy and Bhudevi where decked with these garlands which enthralled the devotees and pilgrims.

The garlands and crowns which were made of almond, Anjeer, cardamom, coconut sheath tender flowers and bamboo rice astonished everyone and they appreciated the skills of the artistes who hailed from Tiruppur of Tamil Nadu. TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal, Temple Dy EO Haridranath, Peishkar Ramesh, garden Superintendent Srinivas and others were present.

Earlier in the day, the processional deity adorned with dazzling and precious ornaments was taken in a procession atop Simha Vahanam, enthralling the devotees who gathered in big numbers to witness the Vahana Seva. On the occasion, four books brought out by the TTD were also released by TTD Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav. The first book - a Telugu translation of the English book ‘Tirumala Venkateswara’ - penned by Sadhu Subramanya Sastry, Dr S Lakshmana Murthy, Dr C Subba Rao and Dr T Viswanatha Rao is an authoritative compilation by Sastry in 1981 on the glory and contributions of kings and rich devotees as found in the rock inscriptions in Tirumala temple.

The second book is ‘Sri Venkateswara Stotravanamala’ compiled by Dr KV Raghavacharya- highlighting the love of Lord Venkteswara as an ardent lover of 'Strotas.’ The third work ‘Udankopakhyanam’ is a narrative compilation by Dr Divakarla Venkatavadhani and Dr Ashavadi Prakasha Rao. The fourth book is a commentary by Dr SV Rama Rao and Dr K J Krishnamurthy on ‘Hamsa Kakiyayopakhayanam’ derived from the Karna Parvam of Mahabharatam.