Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam performed at Tiruchanur ahead of Brahmotsavams in Tirupati

Tirupati: The holy ritual of Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam (cleaning of the temple complex) was performed at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur on Tuesday morning ahead of annual Kartheeka Brahmotsavams which are scheduled to begin on November 23.

The temple was cleaned with traditional herbs, detergents and perfumed waters and the process began early morning. Darshan for devotees commenced later after the completion of five-hour long cleaning procedure.

The nine-day Brahmotsavams will take off with Dwajarohanam, the hoisting of the celestial flag which be held in the anointed hour between 8.30 am and 8.50 am in the temple followed by the procession of the deity atop Chinna Sesha Vahanam in the evening on November 23.

The details of Vahana Sevas to be held daily in the evening during the nine-day Brahmotsavama are Pedda Sesha and Hamsa Vahana Sevas on November 24 followed by Muthyapu Pandiri and Simha Vahanam (November 25), Kalpavruksha and Hanumanta Vahanam (November 26), Pallaki utsavam and Gaja Vahanam (November 27), Sarvabhoopala, Swarna Ratham and Garuda Vahanam (November 28), Suryaprabha and Chandraprabha Vahanam

(November 29), Rathotsavam and Aswa Vahanam (November 30) and Panchami Theertham marking the end of the religious fete on December 1.

Pushpayagam will be conducted at the shrine after the conclusion of Brahmotsvams on December 2.Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru temple which attracts about 17,000 pilgrims daily on weekdays and more than 20,000 during weekends is revenue and pilgrim-wise is the second

largest temple after Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy and is under the control of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Interestingly, the shrine follows Pancharatra Agama for conducting its rituals including daily, weekly, monthly and also yearly celebrations including Brahmotsavams.