Lord gives darshan in Mohini Avataram

Tirumala: On the fifth day morning on Wednesday, Lord Malayappa Swamy mesmerised the devotees in His "Mohini" avatar in a tastefully decked palanquin accompanied by Lord Sri Krishna on another Tiruchi.

While all the other Vahana Sevas were carried by some divine flora and fauna as vehicles start from Vahana Mandapam, here the Lord pulls out Himself gracefully on a colourfully decorated palanquin, bejewelled, well dressed sporting a parrot in one hand, sitting majestically, charming devotees which commences from Srivari temple.

He was accompanied by Lord Sri Krishna on another carrier. According to legends, Lord's appearance as bejeweled and charming Mohini throws the demons (Asura) in confusion and wins the celestial battle in favour of the deities (devata).

The objective of the Mohini avatar is also to indicate that the entire universe is spell bound under the Mystic Moha and that the Lord of Tirumala is the kingpin and key architect of this high drama in the universe. He informs the devotees to come out of this "Maya" and lead a righteous, spiritual life. In other words, through Mohini Avatara, the lord enlightens his devotees not to fall prey to worldly desires and come out of that "Maya".

Lakhs of pilgrims witnessed Lord Malayappa on Garuda Vahanam on Wednesday, the big day during the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara. Srivari Garuda Seva witnessed unprecedented turnout of pilgrim crowd on the ifth day on Wednesday evening.

From the first episode till completion of the nine-day grand religious event, the Brahmotsavams involves Garudalwar which shows the importance of the King of aves Garuda.

Starting from Garuda Pataka Dhwajarohanam, Garuda Seva on fifth day evening, concluding with Garudadhwajavarohanam, the annual Brahmotsavams involve a grand "Grand Affair". Hence Tallapaka Annamacharya penned in one of his popular sankeertans, "Garuda Gamana Garuda Dhwaja" while describing the majesty of Lord on sacred Garuda Vahanam.

According to Garuda Purana, various names have been attributed to Garuda – Chirada, Gaganeshvara, Kamayusha, Kashyapi, Khageshvara, Nagantaka, Sitanana, Sudhahara, Suparna, Tarkshya, Vainateya, Vishnuratha and others. The Vedas provide the earliest reference of Garuda, though by the name of Śyena, where this mighty bird is said to have brought nectar to earth from heaven. Garuda is also considered as Veda Purusha.

Hill town echoed with “Govinda Nama”: As soon as the Lord Malayappa Swamy sitting gracefully on the mighty Garuda Vahanam moved from the Vahana Mandapam at the scheduled time of 7:30 pm, the entire hill town reverberated to the rhythmic chants of "Govinda Nama".

As the Lord moved along the streets surrounding the temple on his favourite carrier Garuda wearing the new Sahasranama Kasula Haram, the devotion zoomed among the pilgrims sitting in galleries who witnessed the grandeur of Lord with utmost devotion.

All roads lead to galleries: All the roads led to galleries in four Mada streets even as every inch is occupied by pilgrims since morning 8 am. The galleries with a holding capacity of 1.8 lakh pilgrims acted as open air auditorium for the mega procession. Few devotees came to galleries along with umbrellas and rain coats to witness the Garuda Seva in the evening. TTD has made elaborate arrangements of food, water, buttermilk, beverages etc at the galleries for the sake of the pilgrims.