On the first day, Dhwajarohana
is conducted by hoisting the Garudadhwaja (flag with
the emblem of a black garuda), near the Srivari
Alaya Dhwajasthambham.
A spectacular procession of Lord
Venkateswara on the Pedda Seshavahana is taken around
the four streets of the main temple from 2200 hrs till
midnight.
The meaning of Sesha is ‘to
serve’. Adi Sesha is a thousand-headed serpent,
on whom Lord Sri Maha Vishnu rests in his abode, Vaikuntam.
Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord
Sri Venkateswara, is believed to be the manifestation
of Adisesha. In commemoration of this event, the Lord
is carried in a procession around the streets of Tirumala
on the Seshavahana (vehicle shaped like Adisesha) during
the first two days of Brahmotsavam (Pedda Seshavahana
and Chinna Seshavahana).
