CAR FESTIVAL OBSERVED WITH RELIGIOUS POMP AND GAIETY

Tirumala, 10 October 2016: On the eighth day on Monday, the Lord Malayappa Swamy flanked by His two consorts took celestial ride on the mammoth wooden chariot in the four mada streets of Tirumala on the penultimate day of Srivari annual brahmotsavams.

SIGNIFICANCE

“Rathotsavam Kesavam Dristwa Punarjanma Na Vidhate”

meaning with just a glimpse of Lord on Ratham, one will be free from all bonds and will have no rebirth. The Kathopanishad describes affinity of the body and soul comparing with the car festival. The body is the chariot, discrimination is the charioteer, the senses are horses, the soul which is the spark of divinity within us is the traveler of the chariot.

DEVOUT TAKE PART IN CAR PULLING

Among the important events during the nine-day brahmotsavams, Rathotsavam is considered to be most splendid religious event that attracts the attention of pilgrims as in this the devotees are allowed to pull the chariot. The devotees pulled the strong ropes with all their energies and with devotional spirit chanting, “Govinda Govinda”. The entire temple premises echoed with the Govinda Nama as tens of thousands of pilgrims took part in this celestial event. It was a great visual treat to witness the procession of Lord Malayappa flanked by His two consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on the gigantic chariot.

TTD Chairman Dr Ch Krishnamurthy, TTD EO Dr D Sambasiva Rao, JEOs Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju, Sri Pola Bhaskar, CVSO Sri G Srinivas, TTD Trust Board Members Sri AV Ramana, Sri DP Anantha, Dr Hari Prasad, Sri Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, Sri G Bhanuprakash Reddy, Sri Krishnamurthy, Sri Sekar, Sri Narsa Reddy, Smt Suchitra Ella, Sri Ramachandra Reddy, Temple DyEO Sri Rama Rao, Peishkar Sri R Selvam, TTD Officials and devotees took part.