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Brahmotsavam
Brahma the creator, with the sun then transiting Virgo (Kanya), the month of Aswayuja as per the Chandramana (the Lunar Calender), fixing Avabhritha (Chakrasnana or the holy dip of the disc) in star sravana, the star of Srimannarayana’s incarnation, having invited divine sages like Vaikhanasa, Bhrigu, and Maricha, as its priests (ritviks), on Suklapaksha vidiya in Hastha nakshathra, with a preceding Dhwajarohana, celebrated the great festival for nine days.
That was the foundation of today’s Brahmotsava.
To prove this and to remind us of the festive day and Sravana, the star of the nativity of the incarnation of Sri Venkateswara, the festival initiated by Brahma, is being celebrated even to date, fixing the Avabritha on a day with star Sravana in the month of Kanya.
Tarigonda Vengamamba describes the details of Brahmotsava in her Venkatachala Mahatmyam, (2-120) thus:
When the Sun transits Virgo and the star is Chitta, Dhwajarohana;
when the star is Uttarashadha, Rathotsava (the car festival); and
when the star is Sravana, Chakrasnana must be performed.
As per the Vedic saying “ritagam satyam parabrahma, ekameva adwitiyam Brahma, Narayanam parabrahma” the Para Brahman is no other than the one who is called Narayana.
The Brahmotsavam is the great festival performed for that para brahman. As this festival is initiated by Brahma, it is called Brahmotsavam.
To show that even to date the Brahmotsavas of Lord Venkateswara are performed under the leadership of Brahma, the chariots either during the day or night, follow a small chariot, gorgeously decorated, the Brahmaratha. Brahma of no shape, no guna, ascends and conducts the festival.
But on the day of Rathotsava, there will be no Brahmaratha in front as Sri Venkateswara is the adorable incarnation of para Brahman.
So on the day of the car festival of the Lord, Brahma himself takes part as the charioteer and invisible to others, holds the reins and drives the chariot of Lord Venkateswara.
Garudotsavam
Brahmotsavam is known as Garudotsavam. Words cannot describe the beauty of this utsavam. The Lakshmi Haaramu (chain) Makara Kanti (crocodile Carcanet) Sahasra Nama Haram (garland) etc., which adore Chief Idol in the Ananda Nilayam will adore Malayappa on this Garuda Utsavam day. From Chennai, new Umbrellas will arrive on that day. Malayappa Swamy will put on new silk robes presented by the A.P. Government.
At the same time, garlands worn by Goda Devi of Tamil Nadu’s Sri Villiputtur will also arrive. Even this garland Malayappa happily wears. In this fashion, Malayappa Swamy comes out in procession which is worth watching. One has to witness this to believe its grandeur.
Chariot Festival
On the 9th day of Brahmotsavam, another important utsavam takes place. It is known as Ratha Utsavam.
This is a unique and only utsavam of its kind in the annals of Tirumala. In a giant size wooden chariot along with His two Queens He rides. Devotees while loudly chanting the name ‘Govinda’ pull this chariot.
With an intoxicating smile on His lips Malayappa gives darshan to His devotees. It is said that those who have the darshan of Lord Malayappa riding on the chariot will be liberated by Malayappa from the cycle of life and death, once for all.
Rathastham Kesavam Dhrushtya Punarjanma Na Vidyathe
Chakrasnanam
‘Chakrasnanam’ is observed on the 10th day of Brahmotsavam. To have the sacred bath under Sravana Nakshatra which happens to be the Birth Star of Lord Venkateswara, Malayappa Swamy reaches Varaha Swamy temple premises with His two Consorts. Along with Malayappa Swamy even Lord Sri Sudarshan arrives there in a separate palanquin.
Sri Sudarshan Chakrathalvar will take his seat next to Malayappa Swamy. Then to these idols i.e., Malayappa Swamy, Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi and Chakrathalvar, Abhishekam is performed. After Abhishekam only, Sudarsana Chakrathalvar will be taken to the tank and will be given a sacred bath.
At that time along with Chakrathalvar even the devotees will have their holy dip in the Pushkarini. The Chakrasnanam is a kind of purification ceremony that indicates the termination of the Brahmotsavam ceremony. On that night from the Dhwajasthambham the hoisted Garuda Dhwajam will be brought down.
With this, the Brahmotsavams come to an end. Malayappa Swamy participates in every ceremony that takes place outside the Ananda Nilaya. In a way, Malayappa Swamy has become a synonym for festive processions.
