The three-day annual ‘Jyestabhishekam’ took off on Thursday to a traditional start at the hill temple of Lord Venkateswara.

After completion of religious formalities, the golden armours of the deities were ceremoniously removed amidst chanting of Vedic hymns by Vedic pundits and the idols were given a celestial bath with Panchamrutam comprising milk, curd, honey, sandalwood paste and turmeric during the Thirumanjanam performed inside the temple.

Later in the evening, the Lord, adorned with the alluring ‘Vajra kavacham’ (Diamond armour) was taken around the mada streets in a grand procession.

Meanwhile, in connection with the religious carnival, the temple administration has advanced the performance of Suprabhatam and the weekly Abhishekam on Friday by one hour.

Prominent among those who participated in the festival included the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam's Executive Officer L.V. Subramanyam, Joint Executive Officer K.S. Srinivasa Raju and other temple officials.