TIRUPATI: The nine-day celestial Karthika Brahmotsavam of Goddess Padmavati is off to a colourful start in Tiruchanoor on Wednesday with Gajadhwajarohana Mahotsavam. After performing a series of rituals as per the tenets of Pancharatra Agama, the Dhwaja Patam bearing the image of Gaja Vahanam was hoisted on the temple pillar mast amidst chanting of Vedic hymns by Vedic pundits and archakas.

Later, to appease and invoke the blessings of Goddess and other deities various ragas were rendered as per tradition including Mayamalavagowla, Gandhara, Kousika, Punnagavarali, Bhupalam, Sri Ragam, Devagandhari, Sourastra etc. On behalf of AP government, industries minister Amarnath Reddy offered pattu vastrams to Goddess Padmavati Devi at Tiruchanoor in the evening on first day of Brahmotsavam.

He was accorded warm welcome by Tirupati JEO Pola Bhaskar along with temple special grade deputy executive officer Munirathnam Reddy. Even as the minister carried the vastrams over his head, the Vedic pundits chanted Veda mantras and given a traditional welcome to the dignitary. Later, the minister had darshan of Goddess Padmavati Devi. The temple officials presented him with the prasadams of Goddess.