Devotees, dressed in traditional attire, turned up in large numbers to celebrate one of the most important and auspicious festivals in the Hindu calendar. There was a lovely programme by young children who sang several bhajans before the final procession within the compound of the Temple Deity, the Supreme Lord Sri Kalyana Venkateswara. These nine days are celebrated with much prayer and devotion in honour of Lord Brahma. The start is usually marked with the hoisting of the Garuda flag and on the ninth day, it is lowered.