Kodandarama rides the lion, sits under pearl-studded canopy

On the third day of the nine-day annual Brahmotsavam at the Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple, Lord Rama was seen sitting majestically on a lion and under a pearl-studded canopy during the Simha Vahanam and Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam processions held in the morning and evening respectively.

The temple was packed with devotees jostling to catch a glimpse of the Simha Vahanam procession. Later, ‘Snapana Tirumanjanam’ was performed where the idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were given a heavenly ablution with milk, curd, honey, coconut water, turmeric and sandalwood.

As the pearls on the Muthyapu Pandiri glittered in an off-white shade under the focus lights, devotees chanted “Govinda Govinda” as the procession passed through the four Mada streets surrounding the temple.