The annual Salakatla Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara began with ‘Dwajarohanam’ on Saturday.
The sacred yellow cloth, bearing the imprint of Lord Garuda, was ceremoniously hoisted atop the ‘dwajasthambham’ (flag post) signalling the commencement of the nine-day festival.
After observing the mandatory religious proceedings, the flag was hoisted in the auspicious ‘Meena lagnam’ between 6.03 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. amid chanting of verses from the sacred texts and the mellifluous rendition of Nadaswaram by a band temple musicians in the presence of both the senior and junior pontiffs.
For the first time in the known history of the temple, the Brahmotsavams, which give the devotees a rare opportunity to personally experience the affluence of the presiding deity, were being celebrated on a low-key note, devoid of the usual fanfare.
With the TTD deciding to confine the festivities…