ANDAL SRI GODA DEVI GARLANDS FROM TAMIL NADU REACH TIRUMALA AHEAD OF GARUDA SEVA
Tirumala, Sept 18 (TNT): The sacred garlands of Andal Sri Goda Devi from Srivilliputhur in Tamil Nadu reached Tirumala on Friday evening to be adorned on Sri Malayappa Swamy during the prestigious Garuda Seva scheduled for Saturday.
The garlands were first taken to Sri Peddajeeyar Mutt near the Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple, where special pujas were performed under the guidance of Sri Sri Sri Peddajeeyar Swamy and Sri Sri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamy of Tirumala.
They were later brought in a grand procession through the Mada streets to the Sri Venkateswara Temple amid traditional nadaswaram music.
Two families offer Andal and Sikhamani garlands
The Andal Garland and Sikhamani Garland are traditionally offered by two families of flower artisans from Srivilliputhur, located about 650 km from Tirupati.
Age-old tradition
As part of an age-old tradition, the processional deity is adorned with the garland first decorated to Goda Devi (Andal) in Srivilliputhur on the day of Garuda Seva.
According to legend, Goda Devi would first wear the garland out of devotion before offering it to Sri Ranganatha, who accepted only garlands worn by her.
Goda Devi is regarded as an incarnation of Bhudevi, one of the consorts of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
TTD Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra, Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, Temple Deputy EO Bhaskar, priests from the Srivilliputhur temple and other officials attended the programme.
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