LORD MALAYAPPA DONS HUNTER’S AVATAR-CHEERS PILGRIMS

TIRUMALA, OCTOBER 23: On the day after the completion of nine day Navarathri brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara, the processional deity of Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy donned Hunter’s Avatar and went for a pleasure hunt on Friday evening to Paruveta Mandapam.

Usually this celestial hunting festival of Paruveta Utsavam’ was observed the day after Kanuma and next day after the completion of Navarathri Brahmotsavams. During Kanuma utsavam, both Sri Malayappa and Sri Krishna Swamy take part in the hunt festival while during Navarathri utsavam, only Lord Malayappa goes for pleasure hunt.

The festival celebrated with religious fervour amidst thousands of devotees who had gathered in Tirumala to catch the glimpse of this ‘Supreme’ safari. The Universal Lord as “Sarvabhoopala” sporting five weapons including conch, disc, gadha, bow and arrow enchanted the devotees with mock hunt.

The festival signifies, the Lord punishes evil and protects good by hunting the cruel animals in this mock hunt festival. The temple officials and priests participated in the mock hunt as a part of the festival. After the divine safari and customary rituals the deity was placed on a top of golden palanquin, and taken back to the main temple by evening.

TTD Chairman Dr Ch Krishnamurthy, EO Dr D Sambasiva Rao, Tirumala JEO Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju, Temple DyEO Sri C Ramana were also present.