Splendid Beginning to Lord's Boat Festival
Tirumala, March 17

Annual Boat Festival to Lord started with grandeur amidst thousands of devotees on Monday Evening at the banks of Pushkarini. Ankurarpana is celebrated to mark Ekadasi. Lord in the guise of Lord Rama with His brother Lakshama, Consort Sita and Altar Ego Hanuman came on procession through the circumambulated way to reach the banks of pushkarini, where He ascended on the Boat. Listening to Govinda Chants and Annamayya Songs, Amidst Beating Drums and Vedic Chants, with Splendid Electrical Decoration, Lord rode the lake for three times. Scores of devotees had darshan of Lord standing on the banks of all the four sides. Camphor Adoration was offered to Lord and left in the Lake. After riding thrice in the lake, Lord came out of the lake and went on procession to inside the temple. Thus ends the first day of Boat Festival.