TIRUPATI, INDIA, October 2, 2008: Priests and devotees of the Lord Venkatesvara temple are celebrating the annual nine-day Navaratri Brahmotsavam festival, which began Wednesday. Over a million devotees from are expected to participate, coming from all over the world.
The festival began with the chanting of Vedic hymns as the high priests hoist the traditional Garuda flag to the top of the sacred golden Dwajasthambham in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Twice each day, the temple Deity will be paraded around the shrine on different Vahanas (sacred carriers).