Lord Malayappa rides lion, blesses devotees

TIRUMALA: With folded hands above their heads and Govinda Nama on their lips, thousands of devotees from every nook and corner of the country greeted Lord Malayappa Swamy, as he stepped out of Srivari temple in Tirumala on Monday night, the  third day of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara. Resplendent in his divine ornament, the Lord in Krishna avatar accompanied by His consorts, went around the four Mada Streets, sitting majestically in the Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam.  There are not enough words to describe the majesty of the Lord, as he set forth to bless the devotees. 

Hundreds of artistes from across the country showcased their talent in their respective art forms in the procession, with thousands sitting in the galleries along the four Mada streets cheering and applauding them. Earlier in the morning, the Lord set out in Yogi Narasimha avatar atop Simha Vahanam blessing the devotees. Though it was raining, thousands of devotees stayed in the galleries to catch a glimpse of Lord Malayappa Swamy. 

When the procession entered the West Mada Streets, dark clouds hovered over the sky and it started raining heavily. The processional deity and His Simha Vahanam were brought under Ghatatopam (giant umbrella like apparatus). With temple authorities switching on the lights all around the four Mada Streets and engaging flood lights to focus on the Vahanam, it once again became as bright as day.