Brahmotsavam begins today

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosiah will offer a pair of new silk “vastrams” (clothes) on behalf of the government to the hill temple on Monday night on the first day of the festival, temple sources said. 

To mark the start of the mega festival, immediately after dusk on Monday, the high priests will  hoist the traditional Garuda flag atop the sacred Golden Dwajasthambham (Flag Mast) in front of the sanctum sanctorum, the sources said.

Prior to the start, the priests on Sunday conducted the “Ankurarpana” (sowing of the nine varieties of seeds to signify fertility, prosperity and abundance) at a sacred Mandapam inside the shrine. The “Garudaseva” procession of the Lord will take place on September 25 night. The chariot procession will be on the penultimate day of Brahmotsavam on September 28.

Over one million devotees from all over the country and abroad are expected to take part in the festival.