TIRUPATI: On the sixth day of Srivari Navaratri Brahmotsavam, Lord Malayappa Swamy was adorned as Avatara Kodanda Ramudu and blessed devotees on Hanumanta Vahanam. The vahana seva was observed in Ekantham at Kalyanotsava mandapam inside the Srivari temple in Tirumala on Wednesday in view of Covid-19 restrictions.
Hanumanta vahanam is usually considered as an icon of devotional bliss. Lord Hanuman symbolically stands for pure devotion, complete surrender and absence of ego. Hanuman represents the tenets of devotion and Sharanagathi in its both physical means and intellectual form. Lord Malayappa by riding Hanumantha vahana sent a message to his devotees that he always blesses people who were humble and surrendered to him.
In the evening, Lord Malayappa Swamy blessed devotees on Pushpaka Vimanam in the guise of Govardhana Krishnudu. The Pushpaka Vimana seva is a fete observed at Srivari temple once in three-years on the occasion of Navaratri Brahmotsavams, which falls during the Adhika Masam.
This vahana seva is usually conducted inside the temple for Lord Malayappa and his consorts to take a breather after a busy schedule of events like Snapanams and vahana sevas etc. The 15x14 feet Vimanam (flight) weighing 750 kgs is made out of coconut leaves and decorated with 150 kgs of traditional flowers like jasmine, marigold, kanakambaram, lily, roses and scented leaves.
The Vimanam is decked with idols of Anjaneya and Garuda on both sides. The Idols of Ashta Lakshmi are in the middle and in the second layer has elephants, parrots. Finally, the hooded servants embellish the Vimanam. Twenty workers from Salem in Tamil Nadu and 10 workers from TTD garden department strived for 10 days to build the Pushpaka Vimanam. The Sri Ramaprasad Trust of Chennai donated material for making the Vimanam.
Meanwhile, the day has come to an end with Lord Malayappa taking ride on Gaja Vahanam, which is considered as the principal carrier of Lord Venkateswara’s consort Padmavathi Devi. Like Garuda Vahana to Lord Venkateswara, Gaja Vahana is considered as the most important vehicle to Goddess Padmavathi Devi and this vahana seva signifies the grandeur and mightiness of Lord.
