Scores of devotees seek blessings as Lord rides Hanumantha, gaja vahanams

TIRUMALA: Scores of devotees went into raptures after witnessing the celestial beauty of the Lord Malayappa Swamy on Thursday night, the sixth day of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala. Riding majestically on Gaja Vahanam, the principal mount of His consort Padmavati Devi, Lord Venkateswara went around the four Mada Streets of Srivari temple, blessing the multitude of devotees. With beautiful caparisoned elephants leading the procession from the front, the golden elephant with the idol of the Lord atop, moved at a leisurely pace along the Mada streets. 

Attired in their best costumes, the artistes from across the country danced in front of the processions much to the delight of young and old alike viewing the procession. Chants of Govinda were omnipresent in Tirumala.Earlier in the morning, Lord Malayappa Swamy adorned as Sri Rama rode on Hanumantha Vahanam. It was believed that offering prayers to the Lord on Hanumantha Vahanam will vanquish evil in one’s mind and drive away one’s fears. 

In the afternoon, it was time for the women devotees to lend their strength to the wheels of golden chariot to inch its way along the four Mada Streets. Basking in the rays of the setting sun, the golden chariot was a feast for eyes of the devotees. Ratha Ranga Dolotsavam, as the ritual is popularly known witnessed large turnout of devotees. Unjala Seva and other rituals were also performed. 

Sudhakar Yadav likely to be new TTD chairman
Vijayawada: The State government is more or less decided on appointing Kadapa TDP leader Putta Sudhakar Yadav as chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board. The TTD has been without a chairman for five months after Chadalavada Krishna Murthy completed his two-year term in office. “I am waiting for the GO.

If appointed, I will ensure that all decisions taken will be in the interest of devotees. I will take enough care to see that there is no divide between officials and the trust board. All decisions will be collective in nature,” Yadav said and thanked Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Yadav, who lost the Assembly election from Mydukuru in 2014, has been working to strengthen the TDP base in the constituency.ENS