TIRUPATI  February 09, 2014: The five-day annual Theppotsavam at Sri Govindaraja SwamyTemple in Tirupati began here on saturday. The processional deities of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sita were taken around the mada streets encircling the holy shire in grand procession before reaching the venue, Sri Vari Pushkarini (temple tank). Later, the deities were mounted on the colourfully illuminated Float, and were dragged around the holy tank amidst great religious fervour from 6.30PM to 7.30PM. Tens of thousands of devotees congregated on the holy steps of the temple tank, hours in advance to enjoy the colourful festival. While asthana vidwans played the nadaswaram’ the temple priests recited verses from the holy scriptures. The entire programme lasted for more than one hour.

TTD EO Sri MG Gopal, Temple DyEO Sri Chandrasekhar Pillai, Exe Engg Sri Jagadeeswara Reddy and devotees took part.