Govindaraja Swamy’s chariot procession marks the Tirupati Brhamotsavams

Devotees pull a chariot carrying Sri Govindaraja Swamy during the ‘Rathotsavam’ held as part of the annual Brahmotsavams in Tirupati on Saturday. | Photo credit: KV POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

A majestic wooden chariot carrying Sri Govindaraja Swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on Saturday sped down the four streets surrounding the temple here as part of the ‘Rathotsavam’ performed during the annual Brahmotsavam.

Held on the penultimate day of the nine-day annual festival, the event attracted large crowds who pulled the chariot using a huge rope attached to it.

After the idols were brought from the temple and mounted on the chariot, hundreds of devotees pulled out the vehicle. Meanwhile, TTD technicians braked and managed to turn the wheels to maneuver around the narrow sections and curves of the streets.

As is the age-old custom, devotees would throw rock salt and pepper on the chariot and take the pieces of pepper crushed under its wheels home as ‘prasadam’.

In the evening, the idol of Govindaraja Swamy was dressed as a warrior and carried in a procession on ‘Aswa Vahanam’, a carrier resembling a horse.

Published – 30 May 2026 20:52 IST