Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati   

‘Towering’ symbol of devotion for God

— Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar

Tribute to Lord: An array of umbrellas brought by devotees for use in procession during the ongoing Brahmotsavams on Wednesday.

TIRUPATI: Umbrellas are not meant for just protection from sunlight and rain, but are an important component of the paraphernalia associated with a royal procession. More so in this case when the protagonist is none but the Lord of Seven Hills himself.

It is a practice since several decades for cultural associations and bhajan troupes of Chennai to present umbrellas to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management for use in the processions as part of the annual Brahmotsavams, especially on the ‘Garuda Seva’ day.

A tall umbrella has a typically circular hood made of dazzling white silk cloth and having glittering gold-coloured strands (‘Kuchhulu’) hanging around its periphery. The majestic-looking umbrellas add grandeur to the procession of the Lord on His favourite celestial carriers (Vahanams) in the outer precincts around the temple.

Unlike in the past, several Bhajan troupes enthusiastically joined the bandwagon of late to bring umbrellas from Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore and elsewhere, mostly from Tamil Nadu.

The umbrellas are specially prepared for the annual festival and the devotees come all the way to Tirupati on foot from their respective destinations. It takes a minimum of three days to a week for a Chennai-based troupe to reach Tirupati, while it takes more than a fortnight to around a month for other places.

After a formal prayer and rituals the huge umbrellas are carried to the hills to be presented to the authorities.

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