Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Sacred Darbha Mat Procession Marks Tirumala Brahmotsavams Preparations
Darbha is a special grass used in Hindu ceremonies.
Workers made a large mat and rope from Vishnu Darbha grass.
The items were taken in a procession to the Srivari Temple in Tirumala.
Officials placed them at the Ranganayakula Mandapam.
They will be used to raise a sacred Garuda flag.
The flag-raising ceremony is planned for September 15 in the evening.
Workers collect the grass in Chelluru, dry it, clean it, and weave it.
The mat and rope are very large and heavy.
A sacred Darbha mat and rope were ceremonially escorted to Tirumala’s Srivari Temple on Saturday.
TTD officials placed the items at the Ranganayakula Mandapam ahead of Dhwajarohanam.
The rope and mat will help hoist the Garuda flag on September 15 between 6:21 pm and 6:35 pm.
Forest personnel collect Vishnu Darbha from Chelluru, dry it for about a week, and weave it into ceremonial items.
The mat measures 22 feet by 7.5 feet and weighs about 200 kilograms; the rope is nearly 250 metres long and weighs about 100 kilograms.
- Who
- TTD Joint Executive Officer Dr. A. Sharath, Deputy Conservator of Forests Phanikumar Naidu, and TTD forest personnel were involved.
- What
- A Darbha mat and rope were brought to the Srivari Temple for the Dhwajarohanam ceremony during the annual Brahmotsavams.
- When
- The procession took place on Saturday; Garuda flag hoisting is scheduled for September 15 between 6:21 pm and 6:35 pm.
- Where
- The articles were placed at the Ranganayakula Mandapam in Tirumala’s Srivari Temple; the grass was collected from Chelluru village in Yerpedu mandal.
- Why
- The Darbha mat and rope will be used to hoist the sacred Garuda flag atop the temple flagstaff.
- Grass variety
- Vishnu Darbha, also known as Kusha grass
- Scientific name
- Desmostachya bipinnata
- Preparation
- Work begins nearly two weeks before the Brahmotsavams; the grass is dried in low sunlight for about a week.
- Grass source
- Chelluru village in Yerpedu mandal
- Mat dimensions
- 22 feet long and 7.5 feet wide
- Mat weight
- Approximately 200 kilograms
- Rope size and weight
- Nearly 250 metres long and about 100 kilograms
- Flag hoisting
- Scheduled for September 15 from 6:21 pm to 6:35 pm during Meena Lagna
