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NT Bureau
Tirupati, Jan 28:

        The annual 'Ratha Sapthami' festival was celebrated at Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, amidst religious fervour. Thousands of devotees congregated before the temple of Lord Venkateswara to witness the processional deities being carried on different 'vahanams' on the eve of Ratha Sapthami festival.

        The festival, which is being celebrated on the 'sapthami thithi' (seventh days) of 'Magha Masam' in all Sri Vaishnavite temples, begins with Surya Prabha Vahanam exactly a moment after sun rises to seek the blessings of the Sun God. The processional deity of Lord Malayappa Swamy was taken atop on the Surya Prabha Vahanam and Lord Malayappa Swamy went around four mada streets encircling the main temple of Lord Venkateswara giving darshan to thousands of devotees.

        Later, the processional deity was carried on Chinna Sesha Vahanam. After performing this ritual, Lord Malayappa Swamy was taken atop the official carrier of Lord Maha Vishnu, the Garuda. It is a custom that in all Sri Vaishnavite temples, after Garuda Seva, the processional deity would be taken on a procession on Hanumantha Vahanam.

        The temple priests later performed Chakra Snanam to Chakratalwar (Sudarshana Chakram) in the holy pushkarini (holy water tank) situated adjacent to the temple of Lord Venkateswara. The spectacular Ratha Sapthami festival concluded with the performance of the Chandra Prabha Vahanam. TTD executive officer A P V Narayana Sharma, Joint Executive Officer Balaramaiah, TTDs Trust Board chairman B.Karunakar Reddy were among those who were present on the occasion.

        Union Minister of State for Mines and former TTD Trust Board chairman T Subbirami Reddy took part in the Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam procession.