Lord Govindaraja Swamy rides Simha Vahanam

Tirupati, May 16: Lord Govindaraja rode the lion in the morning on Monday as part of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams. On the third day of the nine-day fete, the deity was taken on ‘Simha Vahanam’ around the temple precincts. Led by the elephants, horses and bulls forming part of the temple paraphernalia, the procession of the deity on the celestial carrier ‘Simha’ attracted the attention of one and all. ‘Stotra Vangmayam’ says the Lord appears as a fierce lion in the heart of the demons and it is hence, the Lord, depicted as personification of valour, is taken on the lion. Pedda Jeeyar Swamy of Tirumala Mutt, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, Local Temples DyE.O Varalakshmi, Exe Engineer Jagadeeswara Reddy, Garden Supdt Srinivas and large number of devotees took part in this function.