Tens of thousands of devotees participated in the golden chariot procession organised on the sixth day on Wednesday as part of the ongoing nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara.
The processional deities of Lord Malayappa Swamy flanked on either side by his two divine consorts mounted atop the golden chariot was dragged around the mada streets of the hill temple amidst religious ecstasy.
The entire town wore a festive look and the chanting of Govinda Namam by the devotees rent the air as the dazzling chariot went around the lanes of the temple town. The colourful procession lasted for more than one hour.
Earlier in the day the festivities got off to a start with the procession of Hanumantha Vahanam.
The deity donning the role of Lord Rama with his golden bow and arrows mounted atop the imposing Hanumantha Vahanam was taken out in a grand procession.
Free foodMeanwhile the temple officials said a record number of four lakh pilgrims were served free food the previous day on the eve of the Garuda Seva festival.
Self-serviceTo ensure that maximum number of devotees have food, the officials encouraged ‘self-service’ at its massive Nitya Annadanam complex contrary to the traditional style of dining on the tables.
Free food packets were also distributed among the waiting devotees along the mada streets. Statistics revealed that milk, coffee and butter milk was provided to over 1.5 lakh devotees.
The day concluded with the Gaja Vahanam procession in the night.
