Tirupati: The five-day float festival (Theppotsavam) began at ‘Padma Sarovaram’, the temple tank of Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur here on Wednesday.

The sun was still on the horizon when the event began in the evening. With impressive floral decoration and serial lighting, the flotilla turned out to be a pleasure to watch in the backdrop of the azure sky. On the first day, the deities of Sri Krishna and His consorts -- Rukmini and Satyabhama -- were taken on a procession, while it will be the turn of Sri Sundaraja Swamy on Thursday. Goddess Padmavathi will go on a ride on the ‘Theppa’ on the last three days.

Rare opportunity

A large number of devotees arriving at the temple town had the rare opportunity to watch the celestial event.