Carrying on a temple task for three decades

IT professionals, railway, and banking employees transform into Sri Vaishnavas of Srirangam, carrying deity during Brahmotsavam with devotion.

A group of 52 persons, who, in traditional attire, render service during the Padmavathi Ammavari Brahmotsavams at the Tiruchanur temple, are actually IT professionals, and employees of railways and banking sector.

The ‘Sri Vaishnavas of Srirangam’ are prominently seen carrying the deity seated on the mammoth Vahanams during every Brahmotsavam at Tiruchanur. Led by Sri Kanthan, they visit Tirupati every year for this event and ‘lend their shoulder’. Their team has been doing this service for the last 32 years.

Each Vahanam has four 28-foot-long poles made of reeds, two wooden cross bars, umbrella boards, and two priests and two others aboard for carrying the umbrellas, making it weigh close to two and a half tonne.

The team members show their sense of devotion by carrying the weight for about three hours during each Vahana Seva, both in the morning and evening, a service that they regularly render at the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangam.

It is not just about carrying the weight, which the regular Vahanam bearers also do. They excel in showcasing jaw-dropping forms of ‘Nadai’ (walking posture) that instantaneously attract devotees.

The employees take leave to participate in the nine-day annual temple festival.