Balji temple observes Surya Jayanthi with pomp

Around two lakh devotees from across the country today participated in the annual 'Rathasaptami' festival held on the auspicious occasion of 'Surya Jayanthi' at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.
As part of the festival, the centuries old utsav idol of Lord Venkateswara adorned with several gem set ornaments mounted on the seven 'sacred golden vahanas" (carriers) were taken out in processions around the shrine separately at different intervals from at the crack of dawn till late evening.
The spectacle began with the procession of 'Surya Prabha Vahana' and ended with 'Chandra Prabha Vahana', a temple official said.

About one lakh devotees took a holy dip in the temple tank close when high priests performed celestial 'Chakra Snanam' in the tank as part of the festival, he said.