1.5 lakh devotees throng Tirumala for 'Ratha sapthami'

Tirupati: About one-and-half lakh devotees from across the country on Sunday took part in the annual 'Ratha Sapthami' festival at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara on the occasion of 'Surya Jayanthi'.

The richly-decorated centuries 'utsav' idol of Lord Venkateswara, mounted on seven different sacred golden 'vahanas' (carriers), was taken out in a procession around the temple from dawn to night at different intervals.

The event started with the idol being carried on the Surya vahana followed by 'Chinna Sesha', 'Garuda', 'Hanuman', 'Kalpavriksha', 'Sarvabhupala' and 'Chandra' vahanas. 'Ratha sapthami' festival is observed as one of the most important sacred events at the 2000-year-old shrine on the occasion of Jayanthi of Lord Surya (Sun), a temple official said.

Source:PTI