‘Rathotsavam’ draws crowds to Srinivasa Mangapuram
The deities of Kalyana Venkateswara and consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are carried on a huge wooden chariot during ‘Rathotsavam’ at Srinivasa Mangapuram temple near Tirupati on February 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar
‘Rathotsavam’ (car festival) marked the penultimate day of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavam at Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srinivasa Mangapuram in Tirupati on Sunday (February 15, 2026).
The deities of the Lord and His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi were mounted atop the chariot during the designated auspicious hours.
Amid the playing of ‘Mangala Vayidyam’ (traditional musical instruments) and resonating chants of ‘Govinda Govinda’, the devotees gathered to pull the huge rope tied to the front portion of the chariot, which started moving with a huge screeching sound.
Members of various cultural organisations and Bhajan troupes performed ‘Kolatam’ and ‘Chekka Bhajan’ ahead of the chariot, which pepped up the festive mood.
Superintending Engineer Manoharam, Temple Special Officer and Chief Public Relations Officer T. Ravi, Special Grade Deputy Executive Officer V. Varalakshmi, Vigilance Guard Officer T. Surendra and the officiating priest ‘Kankana Bhattar’ Balaji Rangacharyulu took part in the procession.
In the evening, the deity was dressed up as a warrior and mounted atop ‘Aswa Vahanam’, a celestial carrier resembling a horse, and paraded on the streets around the temple.
Published – February 15, 2026 02:44 pm IST
