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ToggleRathotsavam - Big Chariot / Radhotsavam / Thiru Ther
Among the Brahmotsasvas of Lord Venkateswara, the most splendid one that attracts the attention of the devotees is the car festival, Rathotsava.
On the eighth day, under the rays of the morning sun, Lord Venkateswara sits in a chariot, as big as Mount Meru with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side and while the devotees chant his name holding the reins of the chariot, the car festival gets underway in the city streets of Tirumala.
The specialty of this festival is that in this the devotees themselves drag the chariot holding its reins. This is the reason for the car festival to be celebrated with pomp and glory.
In the belief that witnessing Lord Vishnu in the chariot liberates them from the cycle of birth and death, “rathotsavam Kesavam drishtwa punarjanma na vidyate”, all the devotees participate in it personally.
The chariot stands for the human body, the brain is the charioteer, the mind the reins and the senses are the horses. We must seat the Lord within us and control the mind and senses and direct them in the path of ‘dharma’ to attain liberation.
The entire Hill fills up with devotees eager to pull the ropes of the chariot
Tallapaka Annamacharya has a splendid description of the car festival
Look, the God of gods mounted the divine car
For the likes of us, it is a chariot of wish fulfillment.
The way it looks the sky and earth meet is great
The manner of Lakshmi’s consort, a feast to the eye
For all those who witness, it is a treat to the eye
Here he goes in the streets, the lord
Mounting the car, feared by the demons
God of gods, with gods exulting
The wheels of the chariot moved
With a thundering sound
From street to street, scattering light.
Some devotees raise their voice in a frenzy of devotion and cry ‘Govinda’ and ‘Govinda’. Some women devotees happily throw rice (Sesalu =Akshatalu) from the upstairs of buildings in the city streets (now-a-days devotees throw salt, pepper and coins on the God).
With tons of flowers
Throughout the ‘utsavam’ on all days, the entire temple, the Mada Veedhis, the Vahana Mandapam, and the Swamy Pushkarini are decorated with tons of flowers and festive lights. The lighting almost transforms night into day the ‘vahanas’ in the night appear much more radiant and dazzling in the dark. Every day the Lord listens to the chanting of the Vedas and Dravida Vedas (Divya Prabhandas) with Tirumalai Kelviappan Pedda Jeeyar and Chinna Jeeyar Swamies at the forefront leading the scholars.
Eminent musicians are brought to play ‘nadhaswaram’, clarinet, drums, and devotees sing and dance in large groups before the Lord expressing their joy. The procession with the Brahma Radham in the front comprises of decked-up elephants, horses, and oxen.
Many groups of devotees register with the TTD to participate in the ‘Srivari Seva’ activities in various capacities. With boundless enthusiasm and devotion, they dance, sing, and chant the holy names of the Lord in his presence.
Huge quantities of divine 'prasadams' are offered to the Lord and distributed to the devotees.
The quantities of food items prepared at the Free Annadanam Complex are truly gigantic which is appropriate considering that the Lord of the Seven Hills was described as ‘Ulagam unda peruvayan’ by Nammalwar. Ancient, priceless exotic jewelry and many new additions like diamond crowns are worn by the Lord during the ‘utsavam’.
Sriyah Kaanthaya Kalyaana Nidhaye Nidhayerthinaam
Sri Venkata Nivaasaaya Srinivaasaaya Mangalam
