Overview

• The festival opened on June 9 at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple with Shanti Homam, Shatakalasam, Navakalasam installations and Snapana Thirumanjanam using milk, curd, honey, coconut water, turmeric and sandalwood paste.
• In the evening, the Utsava idols of Sri Malayappa Swami, Sridevi and Bhudevi were dressed in diamond-studded Vajrakavacham and paraded along the four Mada Veedhulu temple streets.
• Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials, including additional executive officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary and deputy EO M. Lokanatham, presided over the inaugural day’s ceremonies.
• Organisers will adorn the deities with pearl-encrusted Muthyala Kavacham on June 10 and golden Swarna Kavacham on June 11 as part of the three-day schedule.
• Introduced in 1990 to shield procession idols from wear, the annual festival draws devotees chanting Panchasuktas to seek blessings and divine protection.