Decades-old tradition: Tirupati umbrellas taken out on procession

Eleven white silken umbrellas meant for the annual Brahmotsavam at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple were flagged off on Wednesday evening from the Tirupati Umbrella Charities at Kandappa Chetty Street. According to S. Varadharajulu, the tradition of sending umbrellas by his family began at least five generations ago. "We have been sending them for over 170 years now. Devotees living along Audiappa Naicken Street, Govindappa Naicker Street, NSC Bose Road, and Varada Muthiappan Street watched the procession of the umbrellas that will reach Tirumala on September 19.