Photos: Theppotsavam in Tirumala 2015

Later, the deities were mounted on the colourfully illuminated Float, and were dragged around the holy tank amidst great religious fervour from 7PM to 8PM.

Tens of thousands of devotees congregated on the holy steps of the temple tank, hours in advance to enjoy the colourful festival. While asthana vidwans played the nadaswaram' the temple priests recited verses from the holy scriptures. The entire programme lasted for more than one hour.

Teppa Utsavam or Plavotsavam is the float festival which is usually observed for Five days in Srivari Pushkarani, in Tirumala Temple every year. It is an annual festival celebrated in the month of Paluguna (March/April) on the days of Ekadasi, Dwadasi, Trayodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournami(Full Moon Day).

This year 2015, Srivari Teppotsavam (Float Festival) is celebrated from March 1, 2015 (Sunday) to March 5, 2015(Thursday).

The earliest inscription of 1468 A.D. says that Sriman Maha Mandaleswara Medini Misraganda Kathhari Saluva Narasimha Raju Udayar", the Son of one "Saluva Gundaya Deva Maharaja Udayar", built a Vasanta Mantapam in the middle of Swami Pushkarani Teertha.Even today it is this mandapam from where the Teppa Utsavam starts. Earlier this festival was celebrated for nine days. But now it is being observed for five days starting from Ekadasi and concluding on Pournami.

On every day the processional deities will be taken around the four mada streets(temple streets) encircling the holy shrine in grand procession before reaching the Srivari Pushkarani (Temple Tank). The deities are mounted on the colourful illuminated float boat. On the first day the processional deities of Lord Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya are taken round the Pushkarani Teertha in three rounds seated in well decorated float.

On the second day, Lord Sri Krishna and Goddess Rukmini Devi are taken round the Pushakarani Teertha to give darshan to the myriads of devotees in three rounds.On the Third, Fourth and Fifth days, Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy along with his consorts Goddess Sridevi and Goddess Bhudevi, seated in the float go round on all sides of the temple tank in three, five and seven rounds respectively.

TTD has cancel "Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva" for the first two days i.e. on March 1, and March 2 Smilarly it has cancelled Arjitha Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam and Sahasra Deepalankarana Sevas for the next three days i.e. from March 3 to March 5. It has also cancelled monthly Pournami Garuda Vahana Seva on March 5.