In all, 21 umbrellas will be sent to Tirumala
Devotees throng TTD Balaji temple, in T. Nagar, on the first Saturday of the auspicious Purattasi month. (Photo: DC )
Chennai: Umbrellas for Brahmotsavam, the annual nine-day mega religious fete of Lord Venkateswara, to be held in Tirumala, set off from Chennai in a colourful procession on Saturday.
Organised by Thirukodai Seva Samiti Trust, an offshoot of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the procession kickstarted from Chennai Kesava Perumal temple in Sowcarpet area and was flagged of by retired Madras high court judge K. Sampath.
“A yearly practice, the umbrellas are taken in a procession to Tirupati, where on September 23 Andhra Pradesh minister for culture and TTD officials will receive it,” said Natarajan, joint secretary (north TN), VHP. In all 21 umbrellas will be sent to Thirumala, out of which two big umbrellas will be used during the Brahmotsavam, he said. An annadanam, serving about 1,000 persons was also held by the organisers.
Stating that the aim was to bring all Hindus together under this ‘umbrella’, Gurumoorthy, joint treasurer (north TN), VHP, said there are plans next year to start the procession from the TTD temple on Venkatanarayana road, T. Nagar so as to cover the remaining parts of the city. “We are in discussions with the trust. Hopefully we will get their permission. In this way, we can cover south Chennai, too,” he said.
Also, with the occasion being the first Saturday of the auspicious Purattasi month, devotees were seen visiting many Perumal temples in the city, including the TTD temple in T. Nagar.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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