Sesha Vahanam

During Brahmotsavams, after the Dwajaarohanam the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in a procession in the evening on Aadi Sesha the thousand headed Chief Serpent God as his vehicle. Aadisesha is the seat on which Lord SriManNarayana rests in his abode Sri Vaikunta. Tirumala hills the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Lord Aadisesha. Pedda Aadisesha vahanam will be seven headed.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam

Hamsa Vahanam

On the second day evening of Brahmotsavam evening the Lord Sri Venkateswara is again taken out in a procession on Hamsa (Swan) as his vehicle. Hamsa or swan means ‘pure’. Hamsa is believed to have a high intellectual capability and can distinguish good from bad.He is decorated as sarswatI goddess of knowledge.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam

Kalpavruksha Vahanam

On the third day evening of Brahmotsavam evening the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession in the morning on Kalpa Vruksha as his vehicle signifying that he is the giver of boons to his devotees and fulfills their wishes.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam

Garuda Vahanam

On the fourth day evening of Brahmotsavam the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession specially decorated, with his main devotee and chief vehicle Garuda (Garukmantha) the king of birds as his vehicle. It is a unique occasion when thousands gather together and would like to witness the procession. It is believed and said that it is highly meritorious and mukthi pradham to have darshan of the Lord seated on Garuda, the vahana of lord vishnu.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam

Hanumantha Vahanam

On the fifth day evening of Brahmotsavam the Lord is taken out in procession with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle.[12] Hanuman was the personification of the most trusted and self less service to the Lord in his avathara as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga. Undoubtedly Lord Hanuman was the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam

Gaja Vahanam

On the sixth day evening of Brahmotsavam the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken in procession on Elephant (Gaja) or Airavatham as his vehicle. We find in Sri Madbhagavatham (Gajendra Moksham) Lord instantly coming to the rescue of Gajendra and get him relieved from the clutches of the Crocodile.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, Lord Shiva during Maha Sivaratri
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam, Maha Sivaratri

Swarna Ratha Vahanam

On the seventh day evening of Brahmotsavam the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession along with his consorts seated on a fully decorated Chariot pulled by the devotees with the chanting of Govinda Nama Smarana. It is believed and said that those who witness the Lord seated on the Chariot during Rathostavam will not be reborn. Idols of Daruka the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna and four horses are placed before the Lord on the chariot.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi; Lord Shiva during Maha Shivaratri Celebrations, Lord Narasimha during Narasiha Jayanthi
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam, Maha Shivaratri, Narasiha Jayanthi

Ashwa Vahanam

On the eigth day evening of Brahmotsavam the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession with Ashwa (Horse) as his vehicle symbolizing the forthcoming Kalki Avathara. Lord Venkateswara used to ride on a horse during hunting of wild animals. Lord assumed the form of Horse head during his avathara as Hayagreeva.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam

Nandi Vahanam

During Maha Shivaratri celebrations on the day evening of Maha Shivaratri the Lord Shiva is taken out in procession on Nandi Vahana.

Nandi is considered as the bull of the ancient times – the Lord of Joy, Nandikeshvara. He was represented as a man with a bull’s head. However later it was said that Nandikeshvara was a wise man. Nandi is Lord Shiva’s vehicle. He embodies permanent inner strength which is acquired by controlling violence and physical strength.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Shiva
Festivals: Maha Shivaratri

Ravana Bramha Vahana

During Maha Shivaratri celebrations on the next day evening of Maha Shivaratri the Lord Shiva is taken out in procession on Ravana Bramha Vahana.

Ravana, the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana, was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva. Raavana’s thirst for knowledge, his desire to please Shiva and his austerities earned him the various yogic abilities. As he was an ardent devotee of the Lord his wisdom grew. He is worshipped as a god amongst many cults and is considered the master of astrology, ayurveda and saama veda. On the day evening of Maha Shivaratri the Lord Shiva is taken out in procession on Ravana Vahana.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Shiva
Festivals: Maha Shivaratri

Mooshika Vahanam

On the day evening of Ganesh Chaturthi evening the Lord Sri Ganesha is taken out in procession in the morning on Mooshika Vahanam as his vehicle signifying that he is the giver of boons to his devotees and fulfills their wishes.

Lord Ganesha’s vahana is the teeny weeny mouse, also known as the mooshika. A sheer contrast to Lord Ganesha’s size and grandeur his vahana is meek and tiny. Lord Ganesha seated on the mouse depicts the lord crushing all negativity when a devotee surrenders himself to the lord with full devotion. The mouse is usually depicted at Lord Ganesha’s feet. This symbolizes that Lord Ganesha is the ultimate power and under his control and blessings a steady mind would always be bowed down with humbleness.

Processional Deitie(s): Lord Ganesha
Festivals: Ganesh Chaturthi

Simha Vahanam

During Navaratri celebrations on the day evening before Vijayadashami Sri Parvati Devi is taken out in procession specially decorated, with Mahankali Alankaram on Simha Vahanam.

Processional Deitie(s): Sri Parvati Devi
Festivals: Navaratri Celebrations