On Ratha sapthami a one-day Brahmotsavam is held in Tirumala. On this day, the presiding deity of Lord Malayappa Swamy along with his divine consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken to a procession in Thiru Mada streets in Tirumala. The deities carried out in a jubilant procession around the Thiru mada streets encircling the holy Shrine of Balaji on seven different vahanams (sapthami=seven). Due to this reason the day of RathaSapthami is called as “Mini-Brahmotsavam” in Tirumala.
The day starts with ‘Surya prabha vahanam’, Lord Malayappa Swamy as Lord Suryanarayana Murthy glides swiftly on the Seven Horse driven Surya Prabha Vahanam. The beauty of Lord enhanced in the bright rays of Sun as the vahanam is decked with bright red ixora. The first rays touched feet of Lord at 7:04am.
The four mada streets reverberated to the rhytmic chant of ” Govinda..Govinda” as soon as the first Harati after sacred rays touched the divine feet. Aditya Hridayam rendered in chorus by the students of Balamandir remained as a special attraction during the festival.
Suryaprabha Vahanam is followed by Chinna Sesha Vahanam at 9 am, Garuda Vahanam by 11 am, Hanuman Vahanam by 1 pm, Chakrasananam by 2 pm, Kalpavriksha Vahanam by 4 pm, Sarvabhoopala Vahanam by 6 pm respectively. The day is ended with the Chandra Prabha Vahanam at 8 pm.
Lord Venkateshwara will bless devotees for about 1 hour in each Vahanam (from the start time), in the Thiru Mada Veedhis of Tirumala Tirupati. The bright day on Wednesday commenced with first rays of Lord Surya touching the holy feet of Lord Surya Narayanamurty on the auspicious day of Rathasapthami.
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