Devotees marvel at ‘Kalpavriksha Vahana Seva’ on fourth day of Tirumala Brahmotsavams

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Lord Malayappa Swamy riding the ‘Kalpavriksha Vahanam’ on Friday, the fourth day of the ongoing Brahmotsavams in Tirumala.

Lord Malayappa Swamy, accompanied by His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, appeared as ‘Govula Gopanna’ atop the celestial ‘Kalpavriksha Vahana’ during the morning procession on Friday, the fourth day of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams in Tirumala.

The processional deities were taken along the four mada streets around the hill shrine, where large numbers of devotees gathered in the galleries to seek the Lord’s blessings.

The ‘Kalpavriksha Vahana’, representing the mythical wish-fulfilling tree, is associated with the divine bounty believed to have emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean. Lord Srinivasa, mounted on the celestial carrier, is traditionally believed to bless devotees with the fulfilment of their cherished aspirations.

Traditional flower garlands from Srivilliputhur in Tamil Nadu being taken in a procession to the temple of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala on Friday.

Traditional flower garlands from Srivilliputhur in Tamil Nadu reached Tirumala on Friday for the ceremonial adornment of Lord Malayappa Swamy during Saturday’s Garuda Seva. Known as the ‘Andal’ and ‘Shikhamani’ garlands, they were brought to the Pedda Jeeyar Mutt near the Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswami temple, where temple seers and TTD authorities performed special rituals. The garlands were later taken in a ceremonial procession to the hill shrine and handed over to the temple authorities.

Living up to its practice, the Chennai-based Tirupati Umbrella Charities, which has been offering ceremonial umbrellas to the hill shrine for several decades, presented 11 umbrellas to the TTD, which were taken in a procession along the mada streets before being handing them over to temple authorities. The umbrellas will be used during Garuda Vahana Seva.

Meanwhile, the Hindu Dharmartha Samithi presented nine umbrellas to the temple after bringing them on foot from Chennai. Samithi trustee R.R. Gopal said the offering marked the 22nd consecutive year of the tradition and clarified that the organisation had neither collected money from devotees nor raised funds for the event.

The day-long festivities drew to a close with the procession of ‘Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam’ in the night.

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