All Set for Gaja Vahana Seva on 27th Nov

Tiruchanoor, 26 Nov. 19: Legends and Pancharatra Agamas say that Gaja vahana, the divine elephant-Iravata with four tusks is symbolic of four Vedas and favorite carrier of Goddess Padmavathi.

As highlight of the ongoing Brahmotsavams Gaja vahanam will be held on Wednesday evening on November 27. 

Hence caparisoned elephants, horses, and bulls dominate all the vahana sevas of goddess Padmavathi during Brahmotsavams. Four elephants- Padmavathi (50), Vaishnavi (22), Srinidhi (17) are part of her entourage and on the auspicious Panchami thirtha day, Mahalakshmi (48) carries the saree from Srivari temple to Goddess Padmavati. Elephants are decked with Tirunamam, silk banners in the morning but are more colourfully dressed with face masks for evening parade. 

TTD has made all arrangements to keep the pachyderms in control with trained mahouts, chains, and tranquillizer kits. Nearly 27 supporting staff including mahouts are deployed on duty for the procession of animals including two houses, two bulls and 3 elephants in an orderly manner and in colourful dressings.

Under the supervision of Sri Harnath Reddy, chief of Sri Venkateswara Go Samrakshanashala two elephant experts from Kerala were engaged in handling the animals during vahanam sevas.