Govindaraja Swamy Brahmotsavams begin with ‘hoisting of sacred flag’

‘Gopuram’ of Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple illuminated in view of the annual Brahmotsavams, in Tirupati on Monday | Photo Credit: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

The annual Brahmotsavams at the TTD-run Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple got off to a traditional start with the ‘Dhwajarohanam’ ceremony on Monday. The ritual Dhwajarohanam, hoisting of the sacred flag atop the temple flag post, signals the commencement of the nine-day festival that involves procession of the deities on the streets encircling the temple precincts.

After performing special puja to the flag bearing the imprint of ‘Garuda’, the favourite celestial carrier of Lord Mahavishnu, priests carried the same in a procession around the temple. During the auspicious ‘Mithuna Lagnam’ between 7.02 am and 7.20am, the priests hoisted the flag atop the flag post as per the tenets of Vaikhanasa Agama, amid chanting of Vedic hymns and to the beats of traditional drums.

The deities were given a celestial bath with aromatic substances during the ‘Snapana Tirumanjanam’ ritual performed in the afternoon. In the evening, the processional deity of Lord Govindaraja was taken on ‘Pedda Sesha Vahanam’, a huge carrier representing a seven-hooded serpent, on the four streets around the temple.

The serpent represents ‘Adi Sesha’, which serves as the bed and canopy for Lord Vishnu and is hence considered the first among his divine followers.

The Tirumala-Tirupati Pedda Jeeyangar and Chinna Jeeyangar, Deputy Executive Officer V.R. Shanti and Assistant Executive Officer Munikrishna Reddy took part in the events.

Published - June 02, 2025 07:23 pm IST