Tirumala Sri Vari – Navaratri Brahmotsavams
The divine name, “Venkateswara” means the Supreme Lord who removes sins, and blesses us with Nectar, Energy, Prosperity & Wealth. Lord Venkateswara is considered the “Kali-Yuga Varada”, that is ‘the boon-granting Lord of “Kali- Yuga”.
It is believed that Lord Sri Venkateswara enjoys Utsavams-(according to scriptures the Lord is “Utsava Priya” (fond of festivals)) the most important and significant fete celebrated annually is the Brahmotsavam. It is said that people, who have the good fortune of seeing the divine appearance of Lord Srinivasa even for a moment, attain salvation.
It is believed that by having a darshan of the Lord, one gets instantly energized by the deity, and receives blessings. The darshan of swami or a ritual is said to positively invoke the insight that can be life-changing.
Can obtain blessings
When devotees cannot travel from their places to Tirumala, they can visualise the Lord through the live telecast of the SVBC channel. Sacred utsavams/ rituals, even by watching indirectly also give us happiness and also invigorate our subtle body with mental strength and momentum.
The dictum ‘Aathmaanam Vidhadhi’ (get to know the soul) can be achieved even through sincere indirect darshan of the Lord. This will lead us to achieve logical thinking and understanding of the underlying science and deeper meaning of festivals. Sincere participation in these even remotely will help all obtain the blessings of the Lord and a joyous atmosphere.
Adhikamaasam
Srivari Brahmotsavams is also known as Saalakatla Brahmotsavams and Navaratri Brahmotsavams. Whenever Adhikamaasam (intercalary month in the lunar calendar) occurs, it is a tradition at Tirumala temple to hold the Brahmotsavam festival twice that year.
- First one is called Saalakatla Brahmotsavam (Annual Brahmotsavam).
- The Second, Navaratri Brahmotsavam, is held again for nine days during Navarathri.
The difference between the two Brahmotsavams
Whenever two Brahmotsavams (Saalakatla Brahmotsavams and Navaratri Brahmotsavams) are held, the significant feature is that only once the Dhwajarohanaavarohana rituals are held – that is, during the first one. While the Saalakatla includes an event called Rathotsavam, there are a few more differences between the two Brahmotsavams.
During Salakatla Brahmotsavam, Golden Chariot (Swarna Rathotsavam) will be held, whereas during Navaratri Brahmotsavams, Pushpa Pallaki-chariot Vimana Seva will be held.
Navaratri Brahmotsavams starts with…
One day before the commencement of Brahmotsavam, rituals named Ankurarpana and Senadhipathi Utsavams are performed. Ankurarpana means making a beginning or making a Sankalpa.
Processional Utsavams Granting DIVINE Darshan
Peddasesha Vahanam
The seven hoods of the Serpent God are said to represent the seven hills of Lord Venkateswara. Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Lord AadiSesha. That is why it is also called as ‘Seshachala’.
It is said that the Lord bestowed on AadiSesha the honour of being His first Vahanam during the utsavam in appreciation of his services to Him.
Chinna-Sesha-Vahanam
The Lord is taken out in a procession in the golden five-headed ChinnaSesha Vahanam -believed to be the serpent God Vasuki as His vehicle. Vasuki is the Serpent God (one of the 8 great Naga Kingsalso one of the protagonists of the Ksheera Saagara Madhanam (the churning of the ocean).
In Bhagavad Gita Lord Sri Krishna says that; SarpaanaamAsmiVasukih. (10.28) – (Of serpents I am Vasuki, the chief.)
Hamsa Vahanam
The procession of the Lord is on Hamsa (Swan) Vahanam and in the attire of Goddess Saraswathi, the presiding deity of Vidya (learning) holding the celestial Veena in the hands. By riding on Hamsa Vahanam, Lord Venkateswara is showing that He is the Supreme God of Learning and guides mankind to lead a sanctified life bestowing on it the discriminatory wisdom to shed bad qualities and retain noble virtues.
Simha Vahanam
Lord assumed the form of half man and half lion in His Narasimha Avathara. Lord Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita “He is the Lion among the animals.” Mrugaanaam cha Mrugendroaham- Know me to be the lion amongst animals” (10.30).
Through this avatar, the Lord points out that He is the God of Gods; protector at the time of need – and to make true the words of Prahlada that God is in existence everywhere.
Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam
Sri Devi and Bhu Devi with Lord Malayappa Swami in the Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam — a pandal-shaped palanquin decorated with a canopy of expensive and resplendent milky white pearls — pearls are said to be a symbol of purity and royalty. Through this alankaaram, Swami spreads the message of peace, love and coexistence in society.
Kalpavruksha Vahanam
KalpaVruksha is the divine tree of life that provides the fulfilment of wishes and other material gains of the devout. Swami bestows boons and fortunes to His devotees fulfilling their righteous wishes on this Vahanam.
Sarva BhoopalaVahanam
Through this Lord spreads the message that all the Dikpalakas (guardians of the eight cardinal directions) governing the universe are under His direct control and vigilance. All living beings sustain and prosper only when nature is bountiful without any ‘Ativrishti’ (excessive rain) and ‘anavrishti’ (scanty rain).
Mohini Avataram
Lord dressed in exquisite attractive female attire in an exquisitely decorated ivory palanquin with a golden parrot in the right hand and a long mangala sutra made of gems and diamonds in the other. This form represents the Mohini Avatharam.
The lesson He teaches is that of the drastic and dramatic consequences of losing one’s conscious awareness. Humans should always show Chaturatha for good purposes only.
Garuda Vahanam
This procession is considered by many to be the most auspicious of all the events in Brahmotsavam. In Srimad Bhagawad Gita Lord Sri Krishna says that, He is Garuda among the birds(Vainatheyatcha Pakshinaam). Garuda is prominently eulogized in Puranas for his knowledge, strength and power.
One of the seven hills among the Tirumala hills is named after Garuda ‘Garudaadri’.
Lord Malayappa Swamy sits alone in dignity with His feet like red lotuses in the hands of Garuda that look like a pack of nascent leaves. The Lord is adorned with antique and precious ornaments like Makara Kanti and Lakshmi Haaram adding grandeur to the procession.
On this day, the Lord is also adorned with Goda Devi garlands from the temple of Srivilliputtur.
Hanumantha Vahanam
The Lord grants darshan as Sri Ramachandra with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle holding a golden Bow and arrow. Lord Hanuman, undoubtedly the greatest and most ardent devotee of Lord Sri Rama, is known for his righteousness, courage, strength, valour and discriminative intelligence.
The Lord sends out the message that humans can, through the path of true devotion, complete surrender and service to God, one can purify themselves and attain immortality.
Gaja Vahanam
Among all animals engaged in the service of the Lord, the elephant occupies a special place, being the celestial vahanam of Sri Mahalakshmi. To please His consort and to bless the devotees the Lord adorns Gaja.
The vahanam and the concept behind this is a reminder to everyone that the Lord always rescues the true devotees from all sorts of risks and troubles like he did for the Gaja from the threat of Crocodile (GajendraMoksham).
Surya Prabha Vahanam
Lord Aaditya is described as born from the eyes of Lord Sriman Narayana (Chaksho! SuryoAjaayathah!-PurushaSooktha) – the Lord, the Creator, who has Sun as His eyes glitter brilliantly to make the Sunshine. The Lord is also referred to as Surya Narayana.
Mythology says that Sun God (Lord Surya) is the key architect of the life of humans, plants, and animals from whom powerful luminaries receive luminosity in the cosmos. Through this darsanam, Lord Venkateswara advises all to pray to Lord Surya Narayana Swami for granting sustained well-being — making life free of physical ailments.
Chandra Prabha Vahanam
Both these vahanams (Surya-Prabha-Vahanam and Chandra-Prabha-Vahanam) signify that Sriman Narayana Swami is the cause for Time -arising out of Lord Vishnu who is Kaala Swaroopa and Kaala Niyaamaka, the governing Lord of Time.
He is also known as Kaala Purusha (the personification of the presiding Deity of Time). The eternal fact that “Time and Tide wait for none” is reinforced by the Lord through these related processions and one should perform the prescribed duties faithfully and lead a pious life.
Ashwa Vahanam / Aswa Vahanam
The Lord takes this avatara to fight the evil in the society and protect the righteous. A horse is a symbol of abundant energy. Kalkiavataara brings forth His saying in the Bhagavad Gita” ParitraanayaSaadunamm, Vinasayaya cha Dushkritam”.
The message for mankind is clear — keep away from KaliDosha and pray to the Almighty to ward off the impact of wrongdoings.
Chakrasnana
The nine-day Navaratri Brahmotsavams concludes with the Chakrasnanam. On the ninth day morning; the last day of the Brahmotsavam, a special abhishekam known as Avabhrutha Snaanam is held for the Utsavamurthy of Lord Venkateswara and his consorts — Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.
SnapanaTirumanjanam (celestial bath) is performed to the deities followed by the immersion of the idol of Chakrathalwar.
Final Word
Along with the very well laid out religious procedures, the granting of Darshanam by swami with Ammavarlu to the devotees adds to the grandeur of the Utsavam and is a very important and divinely ordained practice.
While direct darshanam is dedicated, even sincere indirect darshanam through media, can to a very great extent, add exaltation to the process.
Article posted by – – Sri K. Vamanan Nampoothiri
