CHENNAI: Religious fervour marked the grand procession of colourful dazzling umbrellas, specially made here, to be used during the annual Brahmotsavam festival of the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, on Thursday.
The umbrellas began their journey from the Chennakesava Perumal Temple at Parry’s Corner, here, to Tirumala after special pujas were conducted. They would reach Tirupati on September 26. The procession, in which several thousands of devotees took part, was organised by the Hindu Dharmartha Samithi Trust.
According to the trustee of the Hindu Dharmatha Samithi Trust R.R. Gopaljee, “As has been done in the past, 11 beautifully decorated umbrellas made of pure silk would be donated to the Lord Balaji temple at Tirumala for the annual Brahmotsavam, on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, by the Trust.” The umbrellas, he said, would be physically carried by a contingent of devotees from Chennai to Tirumala in a procession and offered to the Lord on September 26, to be used for Garuda Seva, the next day.
He said the devotees have a strong belief that those who have a darshan of these sacred umbrellas would get rid of their miseries and sufferings, besides ushering in peace and prosperity in their lives. The umbrellas procession would halt at Villivakkam on Friday and at Tirumullaivoyil on September 23. It would reach Tiruvallur on September 24 via Avadi, Pattabiram and Tirunindravur, before reaching Tiruchanur in Tirupati on September 25 for an overnight halt.
On September 26, the procession would reach Tirumala and the umbrellas along with silk vastras and other auspicious items would be taken around the four Maada Veedhis, before it is handed over to the authorities of the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) in the presence of Jeeyars.
