Brahmotsavam
Celebrations - Eighth Day
 On
the penultimate day, Rathotsavam is celebrated, in which the Lord is seated
in a ratham (chariot) and taken in a procession in the morning.
It is believed that those who witness Rathotsavam will not be reborn (rathostham
kesavam dristva punarjanma na vidyate).
The
idols of Daruka (the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna) and the four horses
(Saibyam, Sugreevam, Meghapushpam and Valahakam) are placed before the
decorated idols of the Lord and his consorts. This symbolises that the
lord’s charioteer is driving the chariot.
The
chariot is pulled along by devotees, who chant Govinda!, Govinda! This
is the only opportunity that devotees get to be of service to the Lord
during Brahmotsavam.
After
the Unjal Seva in the night, the deities are taken in the Aswa (horse)
Vahana.
Horses
formed one of the four wings (ratha, gaja, turanga and pada) of the military
forces in ancient times. Aswam, a symbol of energy, means 'one who runs
fast'.
Lord
Venkateswara travels on a horse when he goes for paruveta. According to
Hindu mythology, the horse was born along with Sri Mahalakshmi, Airavatham
and Amritam during Sheerasagaramadhanam.
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