Dhanurmasam in Tirumala
In Tirumala, every year in the month of Dhanurmasam, it is Sri Krishna and not Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy who listens to the lullaby sung by the descendant of Annamaiah. During this one month Suprabhatam will not be rendered. Instead of Suprabhatam, Andal’s Tiruppavai is rendered. Sri Krishna will be given a bath in solitude with lukewarm water and will be offered milk, butter and Pongal.
Lord Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala is worshipped in Kaliyuga as the Supreme Deity. Thousands of devotees who visit the temple of Tirumala entreat the Lord and their prayers are fulfilled. Hence they come again and again and offer their prayers. Lord Sri Venkateswara enjoys daily ‘pujas’ like Suprabhatham, Thomala, Archana, Kalyana Utsavam, Unjal Seva and Sahasra Deepa Alankarana Seva.
Special ‘utsavams’ like Sahasra Kalashabhishekam, Archana and Abhishekam (on Fridays). Apart from these, He enjoys annual ‘utsavams’ like the Brahmotsavam, Pavitrotsavam and Adhyayanotsavam.
Despite the heavy rush of the devotees and the heavy schedule of ‘pujas’, the routine rituals are carried out as per the rules and regulations prescribed by the well-learned ‘archakas’ and Vedic scholars. It symbolizes the sacredness of the temple. Its holiness is further enhanced by the presence of the Jeeyars. The temple authorities play their part in maintaining the purity and sanctity of the temple in an exemplary manner.
Dhanur Sankramanam
Among the festivals, the Dhanurmasam rituals play a significant role in the annual calendar of Tirumala. Dhanurmasa (Mid December to Mid January) is considered highly auspicious for the devotees. The beginning of Dhanurmasam is marked by the transit of the Sun into Dhanur Rasi. This is also called ‘Dhanur Sankramanam’.
The Significance of Dhanurmasam
As per the Hindu Scriptures, Dhakshinayana (the movement of the Sun towards the South) is the nighttime for Devas (demi-gods). Dhanurmasam is the last month of Dhakshinayana.
Devas wake up early in the morning or the Brahma Muhurtha about one and half hours before the sun-rise and perform special prayers to Lord Vishnu i.e., Lord Sri Venkateswara in Tirumala.
Prayers offered to the Lord even on a single day during Dhanurmasa is said to bring the fruits of prayers done for 1000 years in other months. Dhanurmasam is also called Chaapa Masa and it is known as ‘Margazhi Masam’ (Maarga seersham) in Tamil.
Lord Sri Krishna has declared that “Maasaanaam maarga seershoham” in the Gita. Lord Krishna says: “I manifest more in the month of Maargaseersham (Dhanurmasa) among the different months of the year.” So Dhanurmasa has its significance. It is described in the Scriptures that Gopikas, the cow-heard girls observed Kaatyaayini Vrata during Dhanurmasa and got their union with Lord Sri Krishna.
Further Sri Andal (Goda Devi) performed Paavi Nombu — a ‘vrata’ to get the Lord as her consort in this month. Her Tiruppavai Prabandham describes her ‘vrata’ during Dhanurmasam in detail. Some even call Dhanurmasam as Tiruppavai month (lectures on Tiruppavai are arranged at every place all over South India). Tiruppavai is said to contain the essence of the Vedas. Dhanurmasa is said to be the most sacred one for observing penance, worship, ‘vratas’ and spiritual programmes etc., to obtain salvation.
In Tirumala
Special rituals are offered to Lord Sri Venkateswara in Tirumala shrine during Dhanurmasam. For the entire 30 days, the Lord is worshipped as Lord Krishna (the month belongs to Him as referred above). There are some changes in the rituals (daily routines) during Dhanurmasam in Tirumala. The most prominent change is that instead of reciting normal Suprabhatham performed daily, Tiruppavai of Andal is recited early in the morning.
During Dhanurmasa, at a specified time, Lord Sri Venkateswara is offered special Thomala Seva without normal Seva (Recitation of Jeeyar Ghoshti from Nalaayira Divya Prabandham).
After the above ritual, Dhanurmasa Aradhana, comprising of Thomala Seva, Archana with bilva leaves, Naivedyam and Sathumurai are performed. It is followed by a regular sequence of worship known as ‘Pratahkala Aradhana’, in which regular Thomala Seva, Koluvu, Sahasranama Archna with Tulasi leaves and Sathumurai are conducted. Special prasadam like jaggery dosa, mudgaannam (ven pongal), shundal and seera (as sweet item) are offered daily to the Lord as ‘naivedyam during this month.
During Dhanurmasa, instead of regular ‘sayana bera’ (idol), silver idol of Lord Krishna kept in the ‘sanctum’ enjoys the Sayanotsavam daily for 30 days. Before placing on the cozy bed, Lord Krishna is offered sacred bath with warm water, and dressed up suitably. He is then offered warm milk, fried nuts, fruits and betel nuts.
Adhyayana Utsavam
The most significant and sacred ‘utsava’ during the month is Adhyayana ‘utsava’. Adhyana means repeated chanting of holy verses. In Tirumala, the Naalaayira Divya Prabandham, the literary works of twelve Alwars are recited by the authorized scholars under the leadership of Jeeyars for 21 days, with the most auspicious day of Vaikunta Ekadasi, falling exactly amid the period.
Pagal Pathu and Raa Pathu
The first ten days are known as Pagal-Pathu (daytime festival), and the second ten days are called Raa Pathu (nighttime festival). The first day of Raa Pathu is Vaikunta Ekadasi. The eleventh day from New Moon and Full Moon is known as Ekadasi. The holiest of Ekadasis as per Vaishnava practice is Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Sri Nammaalwar is believed to have ascended to Sri Vaikuntam (the Holy Abode of Lord Sriman Narayana) on this day.
Srivari Utsava Murthy of Malayappa Swamy with His divine consorts are adorned in Ranganayakula Mandapam during the Adhyayana Utsavam. The idols of Sri Vishvaksena and Sri Ramanuja take part in the Adyayana Utsavam. It was originally started by Tirumangai Alwar with Raa Pathu to Sri Ranganathan. Later Sriman Nathamunigal arranged both Pagal Pathu and Raa Pathu to Sri Ranganathan and extended to some other temples.
Sri Ramanujar established Adhyayana Utsavam in all Vaishnava temples which is followed in most of the temples during Dhanurmasa. From then onwards, the Adhyayana Utsavam is observed in Tirumala as instructed by the Great Acharya.
Vaikunta Ekadasi
During Dhanurmasa, the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is celebrated with pomp and pleasure following the holy rituals. Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam, purifying the entire temple premises is performed before the ensuing Vaikunta Ekadasi. The most auspicious Vaikunta Dwara is opened for the grand ‘darshan’ of Lord Venkateswara. Devotees consider it pious to go for a ‘pradakshina’ through this sacred door.
It is believed that whoever has the glorious ‘darshan’ of the Lord and does ‘pradakshina’ by passing through Vaikunta Dwara on this day, will surely reach Vaikunta in due course and get the graceful blessings of the Lord. On Vaikunta Ekadasi, one can have the splendid ‘darshan’ of Sri Malayappa Swamy on Swarna Ratham (Chariot) along the four ‘maada’ streets.
Vaikunta Dwadasi
On the Vaikunta Dwadasi, the sacred Chakrathaalwar is taken out for a procession around the four ‘maada’ streets to the temple tank called Swami Pushkarini for a holy bath called Tirumanjanam.
It is believed that on this Dwadasi day, all the Holy ‘theerthas’ on the earth congregate in Swami Pushkarini. Hence, devotees take their bath in Swami Pushkarini after the Chakra Snanam to wash off their sins. It is said that after bathing in the Pushkarini if one offers charity to the poor, he will be blessed by the Lord. It is a great sight to see that people take the holy dip on this day, in huge numbers.
Flower Garlands from Tirupati to Tirumala
The Dhanurmasa celebrations conclude with the Bhogi festival on the 30th day and Goda (Andal) Tirukkalyanam is performed in the temple of Sri Govindaraja Swami Andal Sannidhi in Tirupati. Flower garlands from Andal Sannidhi from Tirupati are carried ceremoniously to Tirumala and is adorned on the Dhruva Bera, the idol of Srivaru.
At the end of Dhanurmasa, garlands and other sacred items brought from Srivilliputur Sri Andal Sannidhi are offered to Lord Sri Venkateswara.
TTD’s Role
The role played by the TTD during Dhanurmasa is great. Apart from making all arrangements for the smooth running of the rituals and Adhyayana Utsava, the TTD takes pride in propagating Tiruppavai.
They render Tiruppavai ‘upanyasams’ during Dhanurmasa with thousands of devotees being blessed by Lord Venkateswara and Sri Andal. Those who worship Lord Sri Venkateswara and Sri Andal during the Dhanurmasa, are sure to get the choicest blessings of the Divine Couple obtaining peace and prosperity in this world and eternal bliss.
