The nine-day annual Salakatla Brahmotsavam festival at the Lord Venkateswara temple began today with the hoisting of the sacred 'Garuda flag' by the high priests at the shrine.
Amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns, the flag was this evening hoisted atop the golden 'Dwajasthambham' (holy mast) inside the temple.
Later, in keeping with a practice going back four-decades, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on behalf of the state government, handed to the priests an offering of a pair of new silk clothes for the presiding deity.
Two 'brahmotsavams' are being held at the ancient hill shrine this year in view of 'Adhika Masam' (extra 13th month) against the usual 12 months in the traditional Hindu Lunar calendar, Temple Deputy Executive Officer, Chinnamgari Ramana, told PTI.
A tight security cover, complete with a large number of sophisticated surveillance cameras, has been put in place in Tirumala and along the 10-km stairway leading to the shrine and the vehicular routes on the hills, he said.
About one lakh devotees took part in the procession of 'Golden Pedda Sesha Vahana' of Lord Venkateswara taken out around the shrine tonight.
The second Brahmotsavam -- 'Navaratri Brahmotsavam' -- will commence on October 14, added Ramana.
