Gaiety marks Ponnakalva Utsavam - Tirupati
On the auspicious day of Chitra Pournami and as part of Vasanthotsvam, priests perform Ponnakalva Utsavam to the praocessional deities
Tirupati: The Festival of Summer Resort-Ponnakalva Utsavam was organised with religious fervour on the auspicious day of Chitra Pournami on Friday as a part of Vasanthotsavam at Tiruchanur. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has embarked on a mission of reviving old and traditional rituals. One such important festival is "Ponnakalva Utsavam" which was revived by TTD in 2007 after 25 years.
The processional deities of Lord Govinda Raja Swamy, Goddesses Sri Devi, Bhu Devi, Andal Sri Goda Devi, Lord Sri Krishna Swamy and commander-in-chief Vishwaksena were taken out on a procession from Sri Govinda Raja Swamy temple before sunrise to Ponnakalva Mandapam located on Tiruchanur Road.
At the mandapam, the priests performed Snapana Tirumanjanam giving a celestial bath with aromatic substances to the deities who were halted for a summer holiday.
The unique feature is that Snapana Tirumanjanam is performed on swing in this festival (usually deities will be seated on a platform while rendering celestial bath). Hundreds of villagers thronged to see this religious fete.
TTD has made elaborate arrangements for this event. Annaprasadam was also distributed to the devotees who took part in this celestial fete.
