Tirumala Brahmotsavam to begin today

The nine day Brahmotsavam festivals at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala will commence today.Temple sources said priests conducted special rituals, including the 'Ankurarpana' ceremony, inside the shrine on the eve of the Brahmotsavam today.

They said two Brahmotsavams would be conducted this year, each lasting nine days, due to an extra month this year in the Hindu lunar calendar.
The first, 'Salakatla Brahmotsavam' would begin tomorrow evening with hoisting of traditional 'Garuda flag' atop the sacred golden Dwajasthamhham (flag mast) at the shrine. The 'Garuda Seva Procession' would take place on the fifth day of the festivals on September 22.
The second one 'Navaratri Brahmotsavam' would start at the hill temple on October 15, they said.    As per the four decade old custom observed by the state government during Brahmostavam of offering a set of new silk vastrams, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy would hand over silk cloths to the priests at the shrine tomorrow night, they said.
A thick security cover has been put in place on the hills.
 The whole temple complex has been tastefully bedecked while a large number of huge electrical ornamental illuminations, including that of Gods and Goddesses have also been erected on the hills on the occasion.

PTI