The annual teppotsavam at Tirumala is scheduled to take place from March 15 to 19 for as the processional deity of Lord in various guises seated on the "Flotilla" takes pleasure ride in the holy waters of Swami Pushkarini for five days.
Also known as ‘Boat Festival’ or ‘Float Festival’, it is one of the important annual festivals being performed in Tirumala where in the processional deities are taken on demonstration in a float (Teppam), in the temple tank, together with chanting of hymns and the playing of nadaswarams. It is celebrated for five consecutive days in the evenings at around 6pm with religious fervour.
On the first day(March 15), the processional deity takes the guise of Lord Rama and takes pleasure ride along with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman while on the second day (March 16), Lord as Sri Krishna takes ride along with Goddess Rukmini while on the last three days that is on March 17, 18 and 19, Lord Sri Malayappa Swami flanked by his two consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken for a ride in the sacred waters of temple take and are worshipped by tens of thousands of devotees.
TTD has cancelled Sahasradeeplankara Seva during these days owing to the festival. But grihastas who wanted to participate in this festival can pay Rs.2500 on which five persons are allowed to witness the grandeur of lord on Teppam.
