Devotees Rejoice As Mammoth Wooden Chariot Rolls in Govinda Namam

Tirupati: The ancient Govindaraja Swamy Temple in Tirupati reverberated with spiritual fervour as thousands of devotees participated in the auspicious Rathotsavam (wooden chariot festival) on Thursday.

The grand event marked the penultimate day of the annual Brahmotsavam celebrations at the revered shrine.

Amid an atmosphere of profound devotion, the towering wooden chariot, exquisitely adorned with vibrant flowers, carried the divine idols of Lord Govindaraja and His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. The deities were placed on the mammoth Ratham after being beautifully decorated with ornaments that glinted in the morning’s sunlight.

The festivities commenced in the early hours of the day as the chariot began its majestic procession around the four mada streets surrounding the temple premises. Devotees thronged the streets, eagerly awaiting glimpses of the divine idols as the chariot moved along Karnala Veedhi, Beri Veedhi, and Gandhi Road.

The Rathotsavam holds immense spiritual significance, symbolizing the importance of the Atma in the body represented by the five elements manifested in the Ratham itself. Lord Govindaraja Swamy, revered as the elder brother of Lord Venkateswara, drew multitudes of faithful seeking His divine blessings.

The grand procession lasted three to four hours. After this, the utsava idols were given a sacred Snapana Tirumanjanam. As the evening descended, Unjal Seva and the final Aswa Vahana Seva of the Brahmotsavam were performed. The nine-day annual Brahmotsavam festivities will culminate on Friday with the Chakra Snanam.