Lakhs witness Garuda Seva braving rain

Tirupati: Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, witnessed a heavy influx of devotees who turned up to witness Garuda Vahana Seva held on the evening of the fifth day of Navaratri Brahmotsavams on Sunday.

Despite the rain that lashed the hills immediately after the commencement of Garuda Vahana Seva, the devotees remained unmoved to have the glimpse of the deity. Braving the rain, the Vahana Seva went on delighting the multitude of the devotees eagerly and patiently waiting in the galleries since 11 in the morning to witness it.

The processional deity Sri Malayappa adorned with dazzling precious ornaments, seated majestically on his favourite mighty Garuda, the celestial carrier of Lord Vishnu, surged ahead in the Mada streets even as the devotees who turned ecstatic on sighting the Vahanam loudly chanted Govinda Govinda reverberating the skyline of the holly hills.

Rare ornaments which normally adorn the presiding deity (Moolvarlu) at Srivari temple are brought out of the sanctum to decorate the Utsava idol during Garuda Seva, enhancing its importance. The ornaments include multi-layer huge Lakshmi Haram, Saligrama Haram and Makara kanti adding more radiance of the deity.

The devotee rush this time was more than expected as large number of devotees arrived at the hill shrine from Tamil Nadu because of Tamil Puratasi month, auspicious for them to offer prayers to Balaji coupled with the belief of the devotees who consider witnessing Malayappa on Garuda Seva day is more auspicious and augurs well for them. The TTD management on its part commenced the Garuda Vahana Seva at 7 pm, an hour before the normal timing.