“Dhwajarohanam” heralds the nine-day Brahmotsavam at Tirumala

The nine-day annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala began with the traditional ‘Dhwajarohanam’ on Tuesday.

To inaugurate the grand religious festivities at the hill shrine, between 6:21 pm and 6:35 pm, a sacred yellow cloth with the imprint of Lord Garuda was erected on the ‘Dwajastambham’, the temple flagpole, in the auspicious ‘Meena Lagnam’.

The ceremony was performed to the chanting of hymns and “Garuda Gadyam” by a group of Sri Vaishnavite scholars, accompanied by the resonant beats of the temple drums.

Earlier, the festivities began with a grand procession of Lord Malayappa Swamy and his two wives through the mada streets surrounding the hill shrine. The procession was accompanied by ‘parivara devathas’, including Anantha, Garuda and Viswaksena.

According to mythology, Garuda, the celestial carrier of Lord Maha Vishnu, circumambulates the temple complex and gives divine invitation to the celestial bodies, sages, Gandharvas, Kinners and Kimpurus to participate in the nine-day spectacle.

The ‘Dhwajarohanam’ ceremony was followed by ‘Asthanam’ for the deities in the Tirumalaraya Mandapam inside the temple.

Temple pontiffs, Kankanabhattar Venkata Raghava Deekshitulu, managing director Muddada Ravichandra, board members and temple officials were among those present.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 20:37 IST