HILL TOWN FLOODED BY “HUMAN SEA” ON G-DAY

LAKHS WITNESS LORD MALAYAPPA ON GARUDA VAHANAM

NEW SAHASRANAMA KASULA MALA ADORNED TO LORD

Tirumala, 27 September 2017: The big day during annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara, Srivari Garuda Seva witnessed unprecedented turnout of pilgrim crowd on fifth day on Wednesday evening.

GARUDAGAMANA GARUDADHWAJA….

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 involves 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.

GARUDA-THE CARRIER OF LORD VISHNU AND KING OF AVES

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 7:30pm, 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 lead to galleries in four-mada streets even as every inch is occupied by pilgrims since morning 8am. The galleries with a holding capacity of 1.80lakh pilgrims acted as open air auditorium for the mega procession.

TTD MADE ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FETE

To make swarmed pilgrim public feel comfortable, TTD has made elaborate arrangements of food, water, buttermilk, beverages etc. Galleries from 12 noon till 6pm. The food is served twice to pilgrims in packets and quench the hunger of the pilgrims, the Annaprasadam wing provided the vermicelli upma packets which could last longer time till night. Under the instructions of Tirumala JEO Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju, the police and vigilance took measures for the free movement of Annaprasadam carts into the galleries.

ELABORATE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

On the other hand both TTD security and police administration in unison made elaborate security arrangements to see that no untoward incident takes place during the mega fete.

TTD EO Sri Anil Kumar Singhal and other officials were also present.

ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TTDs TIRUPATI