In a sacred ceremony steeped in devotion and tradition, beautifully decorated silk umbrellas were offered to Bhagwan Balaji at the Tirumala temple as part of the annual Brahmotsavam. The centuries-old practice, carried forward with grandeur, saw devotees from Chennai presenting the Thiru Kudai (Holy Umbrellas) in a procession that culminated on the holy hills. These Thiru Kudai will be used during Garuda Vahana Seva as a part of Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavams.
The annual Tirupati Tirumala umbrella procession began in Chennai on September 17, reaching Tirupati on September 21, with 11 white silk umbrellas. Decorated umbrellas made of pure silk were donated to the Bhagwan Balaji temple at Tirumala for the annual Brahmotsavam.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organised the 20th year celebration and procession of the Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Kudai Festival. Presenting this Thiru Kudai (Holy Umbrella) to Tirupati Balaji has been a tradition for over 200 years, organised by the devotees of Tirupati Balaji. It is an important festival of Old Chennai and for the people of North Chennai in the Tamil month of Purataasi, during which the Tirupati Brahmotsavam is conducted on the holy hills. These umbrellas were taken in a procession from Chennai to Tirumala and handed over to the TTD officials to be used during the Brahmotsavam.
At the event held on September 21, TN Governor RN Ravi, Gnaneswaru Giri (Managing Trustee, Shivasabha Ashramam), BJP state president Nainar Nagendran, VHP Dakshin Tamil Nadu state president Dr Andal Chokkalingam, state media coordinator Karthikeyan Ramalingam, and other VHP functionaries participated. Tamil actor Ranjith and several other guests also attended. The event was organised under the banner of Thirukkudai Seva Samithi of VHP.
"Prayed at Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple, Parry’s Corner, Chennai for the wellbeing of our brothers and sisters of Tamil Nadu and flagged off the five days procession of thousands of devotees carrying Thirumalai Thirukudai and the holy Perumal Feet to Thirumala." – Governor… pic.twitter.com/mSWa5gPZ2g
— LOK BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@lokbhavan_tn) September 17, 2025
The well-decorated Tirupati umbrellas’ procession took off amidst religious and dharmic fervour in Chennai city and reached Tirumala, the pilgrim city, 21 days before Garuda Seva for presentation to the Tirumala temple. Devotees from Chennai carried them by foot to Tirumala for presentation every year to TTD for Garuda Seva, held on the fifth day of the annual Brahmotsavams in Tirumala.
இன்றைய தினம்,சென்னை கேசவப் பெருமாள் கோவிலில் திருக்குடை சேவா சமிதி டிரஸ்ட் மற்றும் விசுவ ஹிந்து பரிஷத் இணைந்து நடத்திய திருக்குடை உபய உற்சவ ஊர்வலத்தில் கலந்துகொண்டு
பகவான் பெருமாளை தரிசனம் செய்தேன்.இந்த நிகழ்வில், தமிழ்நாடு பாஜக மாநில துணை தலைவர் திரு. @KaruNagarajan அவர்களும்,… pic.twitter.com/y6hPpqiLxy
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) September 17, 2025
The umbrellas were handed over to TTD Devasthanam Board Member G. Bhanu Prakash Reddy and Archakas of the Tirumala temple. On September 21, the umbrellas were also given to Padmavathy Ammavaru Temple at Thiruchanoor and Srinivasa Balaji Temple at Tirumala, as a procession went from Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple to Pattabiram in Tamil Nadu, and from Puthur (A.P.) to Thiruchanoor and to Tirumala.
This tradition has continued for the past 200 years. Earlier, mostly members from Arya Vysya community had carried this procession for over 100 years. For the past two years, the VHP has taken the responsibility of continuing the tradition of offering the sacred Thiru Kudais to the Balaji Temple at Tirupati.
Another well-decorated umbrella procession, organised by the Hindu Dharmartha Samithi Trust, began on 22 September from Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple. It passed through areas including NSC Bose Road, Govindappa Naicken Street, Wall Tax Road and Choolai High Road. It was flagged off by Sri Vidyadeesha Theertharu Swamigal of the Udupi Palimar Mutt in the presence of RR Gopaljee (Trustee) and Managing Trustee (DST) Vedantham ji. This was the 21st annual umbrella procession organised by the Trust. As usual, 11 umbrellas were taken in procession to Tirumala, scheduled to reach on 27 September.
Gopal ji told the devotees present that the Trust had been organising the presentation of umbrellas to TTD for a long time, but the practice stopped in 2000. “We approached TTD and obtained the necessary approvals for this event. Now we are in the 21st year. This is known as a grand event in the Dakshinapatha. These umbrellas are not ordinary; people donate them to TTD after a vow or prayer. There is a belief that Perumal himself reaches us through these umbrellas. We have faced many hurdles, hardships, troubles, and even threats from extremists and fundamentalist elements. Unfazed by these, we continue to organise the event every year,” he said.
Before the procession, special pujas were performed for the 11 umbrellas. Two of the umbrellas were presented to Padmavathi Thayar at Tiruchanur on 26 September, and the remaining nine were presented to TTD officials on September 27.
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