On Thursday, former Rajya Sabha member TG Venkatesh performed the ceremonial flag hoisting (Dwajarohanam) to kick off the 19th annual Brahmotsavams of Sri Venkateswara Swamy at Harihara Kshetram in Sankal Bagh, Kurnool.

According to TG Venkatesh, the temple was constructed 30 years ago with the blessings of the Brahmin community. Since its founding, the temple has faithfully and assiduously maintained its rites, which are comparable to those carried out at Tirumala. Brahmotsavams and Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) are being celebrated there, exactly as they have for the previous 19 years.

He also spoke of a heavenly occurrence that was seen during the festival: a Garuda, or eagle, arrives mysteriously and circles the temple three times on the first and end days of Brahmotsavams. He also brought attention to another mystical phenomenon: on the day of Chakrasnanam, the deity’s sacred bath in the Tungabhadra River, the idol feels heavier on the way back from the ceremony but much lighter during the journey there. He went on to say that such incidents demonstrate the deity’s heavenly presence and tremendous spiritual force at this hallowed location.

TG Venkatesh encouraged devotees from other regions as well as Kurnool locals to take part in the 10-day Brahmotsavams and see these heavenly occurrences.