The celestial wedding ceremony, Padmavathi Parinayotsavam, one of the most important annual festivals being observed in the Hill temple of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala in the holy Vaisakha month, provided a cynosure to scores of devotees who converged to witness the fete at Narayanagiri Gardens in Tirumala on Monday evening.
On the first of the three day festival, Sri Malayppa, the processional deity of Sri Venkateswara Swamy seated on small Gaja Vahanam was brought to Parinayotsava Mandapam located at Narayanagiri Gardens amidst traditional mela from Vaibhavotsava Mandapam. Sridevi and Bhudevi, the consorts of Lord, seated separately on two palanquins were also brought to the Gardens.
Later interesting episodes in the Hindu marriage system were depicted with the temple priests dividing into two, with one team representing bride and another bridegroom. The devotees chanted Govinda….Govinda with ecstasy when the floral balls were thrown at each other thrice by both the teams. Later “Varanamayiram” fete was performed where in the bride and bridegroom have exchanged the garlands. After this episode, the deities were seated on a finely decked swing where Unjal Seva is performed.
The religious staff recited Rig, Yajur, Sama and Adharvana Veda and during each break Nadaswaram artistes played different Ragams in a melodious manner. Later the Annamacharya Sankeertanas rendered by the artistes of Annamacharya Project added the devotional flavour to the celestial wedding which lasted for over two hours.
Every year, the Parinayotsava Mandapam in Narayanagiri Gardens is decked in a beautiful manner with an innovative concept by the Garden wing of TTD with the help of donors from Pune and Chennai. In the previous years, Pasupu-Kumkuma Mandapam, Crystal Maze Mandapam, Swarnima Mandapam etc. have won the hearts of the pilgrim devotees.
Similar manner, this year, the Deputy Director of Garden Department of TTD Sri Srinivasulu conceptualized Dasavatara-Astalakshmi Mandapam to host the three day divine wedding ceremony which provided cynosures to hundreds of eyes. The Mukhadwaram-entrance of the Parinaya Mandapam was decorated with Astalakshmi figurines while the top of the mandapam sported the Dasavatara Vaibhavam of Sri Maha Vishnu. The Architecural lights provided the extra zing to the decoration.
On the other hand, the Unjal platform was 25 thousand cut flowers, decked with 5 tonnes of fruits including apple, oranges, grapes, pineapple, mango and banana fruits while corn and coconut spathe and guinit were also used in the decoration. Over 60 artisans from Bengaluru and Chennai supported by another 60 workers of Garden department of TTD worked for nearly three weeks to set up the Mandapam. The Electrical illuminated arches added the glory of the celestial marriage which took place in the pleasant evening on Monday.