Religious fervour marks Chakrasnanam ritual

Tirumala: The last and one of the most important fetes during Tirumala Brahmotsavams wherein thousands of pilgrims take part, the Sudarshana Chakrasnana Mahotsavam, was observed with utmost religious fervour at Tirumala on Sunday.

The Ayudha Pursha, anthropomorphic form of Lord Venkateswara, was rendered the celestial Avabhruda Snanam amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns by Vedic pundits while temple priests performed snapanam to the processional deities of Lord Malayappa Swamy, Sri Devi, Bhu Devi and Sri Sudarshana Chakrattalwar. The deities were seated on the banks of Swamy Pushkarini in the front yard of Sri Bhu Varahaswamy temple.

The celestial snapanam commenced at 6 am. The fete commenced with Vishwaksena Aradhana, Punyahavachanam followed by Mukha Prakshalana.

Later the snapanam was performed to the deities with milk, honey, coconut water, turmeric paste and sandal paste and the Vedic pundits recited Panchasuktas including Sri, Bhu, Neela, Purusha Suktams.

In the puranas, the Sudarshana Chakra was said to be made by the architect of gods, Vishwakarma. The Sudarshana Chakra is described to have 10 million spikes in two rows moving in opposite directions to give it a serrated edge. The Sudarshna Chakra is described as Prana, Maya, Kriya, Shakti, Bhava, Unmera, Udyama and Sankalpa. Sudarshana manifests in 5 main ways to wit the five Shaktis, which are creation, preservation, destruction, obstruction and obscuration.

It is observed as Upasamanotsavam for the deities, after a hectic eight-day and night Vahanam schedule during annual Brahmotsavams. The anthropomorphic form of Lord, Sri Sudarshana Chakrattalwar, will take a holy dip for three times in the sacred waters of Swamy Pushkarini to appease Him.