Lord Govindaraja rides on Hanumantha and Gaja vahanams on the sixth day

Processional deity of Lord Govindaraja carried in procession at ‘Hanumantha Vahanam’ in Tirupati on Thursday. | Photo credit: KV Poornachandra Kumar

The processional deity of Lord Govindaraja was taken for Hanumantha Vahanam and Gaja Vahanam in the morning and evening on Thursday, the sixth day of the annual nine-day Brahmotsavam.

A grand procession was led by artistes performing Chekka Bhajan, Kolatam, with traditional music echoing through the streets. Devotees gather around the deity to offer ‘harathi’ and chant ‘Góvinda Nama’ during the procession.

According to Hindu mythology, Hanuman symbolizes unconditional servility and complete surrender to the Master. Through this procession, the Lord conveyed to the devotees the importance of unquestioning faith to obtain unlimited protection.

During the evening ‘Gaja Vahanam’, the processional deity was carried on a huge carrier resembling an elephant, which symbolizes power. According to the scriptures, the procession on this carrier announces the Lord’s supremacy over the universe.

The ‘Prabandha Goshti’, a group of Sri Vaishnavite scholars reciting the Nalayira Divyaprabandham (4000 Tamil verses written together by 12 Alwaras), went ahead while the Veda Parayana Goshti followed the procession.

Published – 28 May 2026 21:10 IST