The annual Brahmotsavam at TTD’s Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple commenced on a colourful note on Saturday with the sacred ‘Dhwajarohanam’ flag-hoisting ritual.
Priests hoisted the sacred ‘Dhwaja Patam’ atop the temple flag post amid Vedic chants and traditional musical instruments between 7.35 a.m. and 8.49 a.m., considered auspicious according to the Hindu almanac. The yellow flag bearing Garuda’s imprint, celestial carrier of Govindaraja Swamy, was taken in procession along the four mada streets surrounding the temple.
According to temple tradition, the flag-hoisting ceremony symbolically invites demi-gods and celestial beings to witness the nine-day annual festival.
‘Snapana Tirumanjanam’ (celestial bath) was performed to processional deities in the afternoon using milk, curd, honey, coconut water, turmeric, and sandal paste. In the evening, ‘Unjal Seva’ was conducted, during which deities were placed on a swing and gently rocked to and fro.
Later, deities were taken in procession on ‘Pedda Sesha Vahanam’, representing a seven-hooded serpent, through temple streets.
TTD made elaborate arrangements for the festival, including serial lighting, floral decorations, and rangoli patterns along temple streets. Pandal were erected to provide relief to devotees from scorching summer heat.
The nine-day Brahmotsavam draws thousands of devotees seeking Lord Govindaraja’s blessings in this sacred Vijayanagara-era temple.
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