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Adhyayanotsavam in Tirumala Temple
Many festivals are held throughout the year in the divine presence of Lord Srinivasa, the Brahman of Akhilandakoti i.e., the Creator of the entire universe. There are many festivals such as Nityotsava (daily), Varotsava (weekly), Pakshotsava (biweekly), Nakshatrotsava (according to stars), Masotsava (monthly), Ayanotsava (half yearly) and Samvatsarotsavas (yearly).
One of these is ‘Adhyayanotsavam’ i.e., study festival (Peddashattumora) which lasts about twenty-five days and is also known as ‘Mahadotsavam’ i.e., an extravagant and huge festival.
The four thousand Divya Prabandha Sevakalam (Parayanam i.e., recitation) were written by the twelve Alwars, the deep devotees of Lord Srinivasa. Under the guidance of Pedda Jiyyangar Swami of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, all the Sri Vaishnavas gather together in the Ranganayakamandapam of Tirumala temple. At the same time, Malayappaswamy is seated comfortably in Pedda Sesha Vahanam.
Sri Bhagavad Ramanujacharya, representing the Vishvaksenas and the twelve Alwars, prays and recites the Divya Prabandhas.
Significance of the Adhyayanotsavam
It is a wonderful and unique Adhyayanotsavam. This uniquely divine, marvellous, ever-fresh Adhyayanotsavam is held for 25 days only in Tirumala grandly. Adhyayanotsavam means observing the rules of study and teaching of the Vedas, which are considered the inhale and exhale of God.
One should study the Vedas in Uttarayanam (the first half of the year) and the Vedangas in Dakshinaayana (the second half of the year).
In Shuklapaksha (New Moon to Full Moon days) and Krishnapaksha (Full Moon to New Moon days) Ashtami thithi (8th day), Chaturdasi tithi (14th day), Poornami tithi (Full Moon Day), Padyami tithi (1st day), Amavasya tithi (New Moon Day) are considered unsuitable days for Vedadhyayana i.e., practising the Vedas on these days is prohibited. The rules mentioned above are more or less similar to the ‘Naalaayira Divyaprabandha’ which came from the Alwars.
There is some change in the Divya Prabandha. This Divya Prabandha recitation is stopped for about two months in a year. The reason for that is that the idol of Sri Nammalwars, the members of Prapanjana’s clan, and the Varakalasuras called Tirumangai Alwars enshrined that idol and connected it to Divyaprabandha.
In the meantime, because there was no Nammalwar, the Divya Prabandha was not recited. Therefore Purvacharyas considered it ‘Anadhyayana’ (no-study) period and instituted a system of reciting “Ee Naalaayira Divyaprabandha” which remained in the presence of Swami for twenty-one days from ten days before Vaikuntha Ekadashi to ten days after Ekadashi. Hence this plea is known as “Adhyayanotsavam” (Peddasaathumora).
Divya Prabandha Prohibition Period “According to the solar calendar (traditional astrological study with sun as pivot), according to Tamil tradition, this non-study period lasts from the Krittika deepotsava in the month of Karthika to ten days before Vaikuntha Ekadashi. That means this non-study period lasts until the Hasta Nakshatra, the incarnation star of the Kooratthalvar, in the Tamil Tai month.”
This rule continues in the 108 Divyadesas, the Lord’s favourite places and all the Sri Vaishnava temples. Sri Vaishnavas do not recite the Divya Prabandha in their homes during this period. In those countries, the Adhyayanotsavams are held in their respective homes as per Tattat tradition Divyaprabandha is resumed.
During this period of non-study, Sri Vaishnavas connect Desika ‘Prabandhas’, Sri Manavaala mahamuni’s ‘Upadesarattnamaalai’ and other ‘prabandhas.’ This period of ‘non-adhyayana’ is a sign of the period when the Tirumangai Alwars sought independence from the Nammalvars. The purpose of this ‘Adhyayanotsavam’ is to initiate further studies.
The Paancharatra Samhitas clearly states that the study of Divya Prabandha must take place in all the Sri Vaishnava kshetras and temples. One can see the same being mentioned in Ishvara and Sriprashnadi Samhitas too. It is the order of Acharya Sovereign Sri Ranganathamuni that these four thousand divine ‘prabandhas’ must be recited in front of the Deity at least once a year even if it does not happen all the time. So from that time, till now, this tradition continues unbroken in all the divine temples.
The Time Rule for the Adhyayanotsavams
There is a rule that this study festival should start from ‘Vaikuntha Ekadashi’ and continue for ten days. Nammalwar’s ‘Thiruvaymoli’ Prabandha should be recited, ‘Pattu’ (ten pasurams) per day.
Later, ‘Thiruvadi Tholudal’ needs to be offered to Sri Nammalwar i.e., the idol of Nammalwar is worshipped (placed) at the lotus feet of Lord Balaji, covered with Tulsi ‘dalas’, as if the Alwars have attained Parampada, and when they pray to “give us our Alwars” for the sake of people’s enlightenment, God sends the Alwars back and blesses them as per the wishes of the devotees.
The elders variously named this procedure as “Parama Padotsavam, Prapannotsavam, Adhyayanotsavam, Mokshotsavam.”
How is the Adhyayanotsavam Performed?
As per the rules of Divydesa temples, after the completion of the daily worship to Shriyah Pati (Lord Balaji), each mandapa is used for each different festival. Lord Balaji along with His wives Sridevi and Bhoodevi is first comfortably seated in the Mandapa (courtyard) as Vishwaksena, the Alwars and the Acharyas follow the Lord onto the throne.
While the Sthanacharyas pray “Sadithtu Arulaai” (beseech) by presenting an offering to the Lord, the Sri Vaishnavas begin the Divya Prabandha and perform the Sathumorai. 3000 Pasurams are recited for ten days in ‘Pagalapathu’ (the early morning recitals).
In the ‘rapattu’ (night time prabandha) Sri Nammalwars’ “Thiruvaymoli” ‘divyaprabandha’ is recited for ten days. This is the study schedule.
Adhyayanotsavams in Thiruvengadam
Initiated by the Tirumangai Alwars, this Adhyayanotsavam is held in the presence of Tirumala Srivari Sannidhi with great pomp and glory. The Tirumala inscriptions prove that the Adhyayanotsavams in 1253, 1360 and 1446 took place partially and completely.
In any case, this study festival is a proof that Agama and traditions continue in Tirumala Kshetra with the strict practices laid down by Jagadguru Bhagavad Ramanujacharya.
Purvacharyas believe that as the first citizen of Tirumala, the glorious Tirumalanambi, who performed Tirthakainkaryam to Srivaru, and Anantalvar who performed Pushpakainkaryam to the Lord, are the witnesses of this study. Sri Annamayya’s keertanas also reflect the study festival.
Eleven days before Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Sriranganatha, who had ascended from the sanctum sanctorum of Malayappa Swami and circled the Kaveri river in flight, went to the “Ranganayakula Mandapam” where he waited for a short time and prayed regularly. As the representative of the Alwars, Bhagavad Ramanujacharya, the incarnation of Adiseshavatara, is invited to the mandapam of Ranganayakas in a flight.
After worshiping Lord Seshadrishana (Lord Balaji in sleeping posture on the Sesha Nag) accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi, adorned with all ornaments and garlands, Vishvaksena and Bhagavadramanujacharya are offered seats on the left side of Lord Balaji, under the guidance of Sri Pedda Jiyyangar Swami.
Sri Chinnajiyangar Swami, Ekangi, Acharyapurush (elderly preachers), Adhyapakas (teachers), and other Sri Vaishnavas collectively chant the Divya Prabandha as Sri Pedda Jeeyar Swami begins by saying “Saadithu Arulai” (requesting to listen).
Adhyayanotsavam is for 25 days
This Adhyayanotsavam is conducted for about twenty-five days in Tirumala. During the ten nights called ‘Pagalpattu’, the opening verses of the Divyaprabandha are recited in the Lord’s court in the early hours next day.
In ‘Rapattu’, each of the Divyaprabandhas (hundred pasuras) is invoked. In Tirumala, Paramapadotsava is not performed. In Tirumala, it is customary to treat the Saathu Mora in Pagalpattu as ‘Chinnasaathumora’ and the SaathuMora in Rapattu as ‘Peddasaathumora’.
Adhyayanotasava Series in the Presence of Lord Venkateswara
This study festival will be celebrated for a total of twenty-five days.
First 10 days
For the first ten days, the recitation of three thousand pasurams from the three verses of Eyarpa, Mudalayiram and Periyathirumoli are followed by the Tomalaseva and then they are joined in the Mandapam of the Ranganayakas. “Thiruvai Moli” Prabandhanusandhanam at Rapattu.
- Then on the twenty-second day Kanninun Shiruthambu,
- on the twenty-third day Iramanusanutandadi, Upadesarathna Malai,
- on the twenty-fourth day a study ceremony in the presence of Varahaswamy, a field expert,
- on the twenty-fifth day by the descendants of Tirumalanambi.
As Divya Prabandhanusandhanam under Tirumala Pedda Jiyangar Swami, Chaturveda recitation was started for Malayappa Swami on Vaikuntha Ekadashi under the direction of ‘Tolappacharya’ Swami, a descendant of Tirumalanambi and Prathamacharya men, and for ten days the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Sama Veda and on the evening of the tenth day after the recitation of the Atharvan Vedas, Malayappa Swamy, along with His two consorts was seated comfortably in the Pedda Seshavahanam in Ranganayakula Mandapam. Chaturvedaparayana takes place extraordinarily and uniquely.
Sri Venkatavibhu has two eyes like the Sun and the Moon, Sanskrit and Dravidian Vedas! Like the glory of Venkatagiri, the “Adhayayanotsavam (Study Festival)” conducted in the presence of Venkatagiri is also very glorious. During this study, Bhagavad Ramanujacharyulu will have a special auspicious session with Srivari Jayavijaya for three days. It is a remarkable thing that Sri Bhashyakaras received the Shatari manners of Lord Srinivasa.
Final Word
May the devotees participate in these ‘Adhyanotsavams’ and get of grace of Lord Venkateswara!
