Thousands of devotees participated in Rathotsavam of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara, at Tirumala

Thousands of devotees participated in the "Rathotsavam" (vehicle festival) on the final day of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara. Between three and three thirty in the morning, in the auspicious Karkataka lagnam, the utsava deities of Lord Malayappa and his two divine consorts were placed atop the enormous wooden chariot, followed by a series of rites associated with the Ratharohanam celebration.

At precisely 6.55 a.m., the Rathotsavam began. As the giant-sized chariot passed, thousands of worshippers who had gathered on either side of the Mada streets hurled salt and pepper and sang "Govinda, Govinda."

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) made extensive preparations to ensure the celebration went off without a hitch. Numerous worshippers excitedly assisted in dragging the chariot until it reached the Ratha Mandapam. In appreciation for their assistance during the festival, YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy gave out traditional clothing to the temple priests, Vahanam bearers, Potu, melam, and Veda parayanamdars.