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ToggleSurya Prabha Vahanam
Bhaskaraya vidmahe
Mahadyuthikaraya dheemahi
Tanno Aditya prachodayat
On the seventh day the lord of the Seven Hills Venkateswara alone mounted on the Surya Prabha Vahana of seven horses, wearing a diamond gauntlet goes in procession in the city streets of Tirumala while the rays of the sun spread in the morning announcing that he is Narayana in the midst of Sun’s sphere [Suryamandala],” jyotisham Raviramsuman”.
Lord Malayappa Swami adorned with Panchayudam, Vajrakavacham, and red garlands appears on Lord Surya, the ‘Prathyaksha Daivam’ who is the source of all light, energy, and life on the earth. He is hailed as Lord Surya Narayana. The grand darshan of the Lord in this Vahanam grants relief from all kinds of diseases and poverty and blesses us with good health and wealth
The Veda says that Sriman Narayana in the midst of Surya Mandala is fit to be meditated upon. So, all the Indians offer prayers and salutations to the sun. [Surya Namaskaras] They worship lord Surya Narayana with the chant of the Gayatri mantra.
Lord Venkateswara blesses the devotees by showering them with health and wealth and allowing them to witness him on the Suryaprabha Vahana announcing that he is who as the sun God, lights the world.
Annamacharya confirms and praises Venkatewswara as no other than the Sun God in the midst of the Sun’s sphere:
All of you see, see and salute
The parabrahman radiatng near the lake
The sheen of the sun in his sphere
The glitter of the moon in heaven
The glow born from fire on earth
The manifold forms of universal immanence.
With tons of flowers
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’.
