Govindaraja charms as ‘Mohini’, rides ‘Garuda Vahanam’

Idol of Sri Govindaraja Swamy disguised as ‘Mohini’ being taken on a stretcher during ‘Mohini Avataram’ ritual in Tirupati on Wednesday. | Photo credit: KV POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

On the fifth day of the ongoing nine-day annual ‘Brahmotsavam’ at Sri Govindaraja Swamy, he saw the idol dressed as ‘Mohini’ in the morning and riding his favorite celestial carrier ‘Garuda Vahanam’ on Wednesday evening.

As part of the ‘Mohini Avataram’, the idol, draped in a woman’s attire, was placed on a stretcher with a mirror placed in front.

In the evening, large crowds thronged the temple to witness the ‘Garuda Seva’ procession, where the idol of the Lord was mounted on a carrier resembling the Garuda bird and paraded through the four streets surrounding the temple.

Four precious ornaments worth ₹71 lakh were brought down from the Srivari Temple in Tirumala to the Govindaraja Swamy Temple as a special gift from Lord Venkateswara to his elder brother on a festive occasion. The divine offerings included gold pendants studded with stones and a golden ‘Kasula Mala’ which were used during the Garuda Vahanam procession.

Published – 27 May 2026 21:28 IST