The Sita, Lakshmana, Anjaneya sametha Lord Sri Rama was taken out on a celestial procession on the finely decorated float on the waters of Swamy Pushkarini in the pleasant evening of Saturday (March 19th 2016) in Tirumala.
The earliest inscription relates to the year 1468 A.D. says that the Son of one “Saluva Gundaya Deva Maharaja Udayar”, “Sriman Maha Mandaleswara Medini Misraganda Kathhari Saluva Narasimha Raju Udayar” built Vasanta Mantapam in the middle of Swami Pushkarani Teertham in Tirumala. Even today it is from this mandapam where the Teppa Utsavam starts. Earlier this festival was celebrated for nine days. But now TTD has been celebrating the fete five days.
On every day the processional deities will be taken around the four mada streets(temple streets) encircling the holy shrine in grand procession before reaching the Srivari Pushkarani (Temple Tank). The deities are mounted on the colourful illuminated float boat as a part of this celestial festival. On the first day the processional deities of Lord Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya were taken round the Pushkarani Teertha seated on the well decorated float in three rounds after 7pm.
The Teppa Utsavam (Float Festival/Plavotsavam) is celebrated as an Arjitha Seva. Pilgrims shall participate in this utsavam by purchasing the tickets and after this festival arjitha seva ticket holders have the darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, inside the Tirumala temple.
The following are the photos taken during the Utsavam:
Courtesy: Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam
