TIRUMALA, OCTOBER 14, 2024: Religious fervour marked the unique Bagh Savari festival observed at the Hill shrine of Tirumala on Sunday evening. This festival which would be observed on the immediate day after the conclusion of the nine-day Brahmotsavam has a great significance and an interesting legend to convey the message of the bonding between a devotee and the Universal Lord.
According to temple legend, Sri Venkateswara Swamy along with His Consort Padmavathi Devi in the guise of ordinary humans destroy the flower gardens grown up by Ananthalwar, an arden Sri Vaishnava devotee of Lord who introduced Pushpa Kainkaryams in the temple, only to testify his dedicated devotion.
In a bid to catch-hold of the “Divine Human Couple”, Ananthalwar succeeds in tying up Goddess to an Aswatha(sacred Fig) tree in his garden while the Lord escapes from his clutches running anti-clock wise.
Later, Ananthalwar realises his mistake and carries the Goddess in a floral basket to the Srivari temple and rejoins Her with the Lord.
As the Lord escapes in an anti-clockwise direction, even today this festival is conducted in an anti-clock wise manner.
In connection with the festival, the processional deities of Sri Malayappa Swamy and His two consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi were taken around in a procession from the main temple to the Ananthalwar gardens situated on the South-West corner of the temple complex.
After observing certain religious formalities at the gardens, the deities were again taken back to the main temple. The TTD officials, priests, Jeeyar Swamys and scores of devotees and locals took part in the festival. Both the Pontiffs of Tirumala, Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, temple Peishkar Ramakrishna, Parupattedar Himatgiri, other staff, devotees were also present.
