 On
the penultimate day, Rathotsavam is celebrated, in which
the Lord is seated in a ratham (chariot) and taken in
a procession in the morning.
It is believed that those who witness
Rathotsavam will not be reborn (rathostham kesavam
dristva punarjanma na vidyate).
The idols of Daruka (the charioteer
of Lord Sri Krishna) and the four horses (Saibyam, Sugreevam,
Meghapushpam and Valahakam) are placed before the decorated
idols of the Lord and his consorts. This symbolises
that the lord’s charioteer is driving the chariot.
The chariot is pulled along by devotees,
who chant Govinda!, Govinda! This is the only
opportunity that devotees get to be of service to the
Lord during Brahmotsavam.
After the Unjal Seva in the night,
the deities are taken in the Aswa (horse) Vahana.
Horses formed one of the four wings
(ratha, gaja, turanga and pada) of
the military forces in ancient times. Aswam, a symbol
of energy, means 'one who runs fast'.
Lord Venkateswara travels on a horse
when he goes for paruveta. According to Hindu mythology,
the horse was born along with Sri Mahalakshmi, Airavatham
and Amritam during Sheerasagaramadhanam.
Main
Day1 Day2 Day3 Day4 Day5 Day6 Day7 Day9
|
