Devotional drum beats add to religious fervour at Brahmotsavam

Tirumala, Oct 6 (UNI) This abode of Lord Venkateswara is reverbrating to the sounds of devotional drum beats played by troupes from different parts of the country specially employed by TTD authorities for the ongoing annual Brahmotsavam festival.

The troupes from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa besides Andhra Pradesh, compete with each other and sing the praise of Lord Venkateswara.

A troupe from the Hare Rama cult has also been enthralling thousands of pilgrims, with their rhythmic dances and chanting of ''hare rama, hare krishna, hare hare''.

The drum beaters from Kerala present a spectacular performance as do the ''karaga'' dancers from Karnataka. A team has come from Orissa, beating the drums sings the praise of ''Narayana'', a synonym of Lord Venkateswara.

These cultural troupes accompany the caravan of Lord Venkateswara, comprising the ''Brahma ratham''- a huge chariot- at the front and the bhajan and the drummers.

The troupes comprising even children, dance to ''devotional rhythm'' on the four mada streets during the ''vahanam'' processions as the various rituals of the ''Brahmotsavams'' begin every day.

UNI KNR VV SM LS VC1300