Over one lakh take part in Tirumala Ratha Sapthami

Tirupati, Feb 10 (PTI) Over one lakh devotees from allover the country took part in the sacred seven processions ofLord Venkateswara held on the annual ''Ratha Sapthami'' festivalat Tirumala near here today.

The festival is observed on the hills annually for thelast several centuries on the day of ''Surya Jayanthi'', templesources said.

As per the Telugu Calendar, Ratha Sapthami is celebratedon the seventh day of the ''Magha Masa'' (starting from February3, and ends on March 4, 2011).

As part of the festival, the centuries old ''utsvav''(festival) idol of Lord Venkateswara is adorned with manydiamond set ornaments mounted on ''Seven Sacred golden Vahanas''(chariots) separately at different intervals from dawn todusk.

The festival commenced with the procession of ''SuryaPrabha Vahana'' and ended with ''Chandra Prabha Vahana''. ChinnaSesha, Hanuman, Garuda, Kalpavriksha and Sarvabhupala Vahanaswere also taken out during the festival.

Andhra Pradesh Governor, E S L Narasimhan also took partin the processions, the sources added.