Gaja Vahanam

Mounted on the king elephant on the sixth night, Lord Venkateswara alone goes in procession reminding us of the salvation of the king elephant in Bhagavata.

O dear devotees, the elephant king is proud of his might. Because of that he is caught by a crocodile and having fought with it for a long time he prays for protection from the lord at last.

O God, all my strength is gone, my courage diminished, my vital powers languishing, I swoon. My physique faces reduction. I feel tired. No longer can I fight with this crocodile. Help this poor soul.

I know only yourself and none else. Come and save me, a destitute Iswara here means a Lord, not God Shiva. So Vishnu, the Lord of the world, heeds the cry of the king elephant and goes to save him.

Lord Vishnu kills the crocodile and saves the king elephant.

So Venkateswara mounted on the elephant car teaches his devotees not to stand on their feet, not to depend too much on their might, and to shift the responsibility of protection to Him.

The world is a lake. The crocodile is the sum of our deeds. The king elephant is the human soul. Lord Vishnu is the one who saves us from the bonds of the world and our deeds. Every devotee is a king Elephant. Lord Venkateswara is the one who redeems us from the worldly bonds and shackles of our deeds.

Venkateswara goes alone on the elephant during the Brahmothsavas.

Throughout the ‘utsavam’ on all days, the entire temple, the Mada Veedhis, the Vahana Mandapam, and the Swamy Pushkarini are decorated with tons of flowers and festive lights. The lighting almost transforms night into day the ‘vahanas’ in the night appear much more radiant and dazzling in the dark. Every day the Lord listens to the chanting of the Vedas and Dravida Vedas (Divya Prabhandas) with Tirumalai Kelviappan Pedda Jeeyar and Chinna Jeeyar Swamies at the forefront leading the scholars.

Eminent musicians are brought to play ‘nadhaswaram’, clarinet, drums, and devotees sing and dance in large groups before the Lord expressing their joy. The procession with the Brahma Radham in the front comprises of decked-up elephants, horses, and oxen.

Many groups of devotees register with the TTD to participate in the ‘Srivari Seva’ activities in various capacities. With boundless enthusiasm and devotion, they dance, sing, and chant the holy names of the Lord in his presence. Huge quantities of divine 'prasadams' are offered to the Lord and distributed to the devotees.

The quantities of food items prepared at the Free Annadanam Complex are truly gigantic which is appropriate considering that the Lord of the Seven Hills was described as ‘Ulagam unda peruvayan’ by Nammalwar. Ancient, priceless exotic jewelry and many new additions like diamond crowns are worn by the Lord during the ‘utsavam’.