Skip to content Lord Venkateswara is the most powerful God attracting lakhs of people to His Abode. There are several festivals in Tirumala Temple to witness: daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. Of those festivals, Brahmotsavam, Ugadi Asthanam, Anivara Asthanam, Deepavali Asthanam, Adhyayanotsavam, Pranaya Kalaha Mahotsavam etc. are annual festivals.
Pranaya Kalaha Mahotsavam
in Tirumala
on 15.01.2025
Pranayakalahotsavam / Pranaya Kalaha Mahotsavam
‘Pranayakalahotsavam’ which takes place between Sri Malayappaswami and His Consorts is an annual festival that is usually celebrated from December–January every year. This festival will be celebrated on 15-01- 2025 at Tirumala this year.
On the day of Pranayakalahotsavam Lord Malayappaswami will be taken around the mada streets. The Lord will be made to wait for the arrival of His two Consorts. The Adyapaka ghoshti led by Jeeyarswamis, Acharyapurushas and his Madal’ of Tirumangai Alwar.
Saint Tirumangai Alwar was a great devotee who composed many poems in Tamil Prabandham called Tirumozhi. He has composed 74 stanzas called pasurams also known as Siriya Tirumadal. The above 74 pasurams will be recited by Jeeyar goshti while coming with Lord Malayappaswami and conclude it opposite Varahaswami Temple in the East Mada street.
Both Sri Devi and Bhu Devi decorated with jewels and flowers will be brought before the Lord on the opposite side within 10 to 15 yards distance. There, two priests on either side stand and start reading dialogues composed by Parasara Bhattar, a great Bhakta of Lord Ranganatha. Here, there will be the flower ball play.
Once the Lord while playing with His consorts with the flower ball, catches the ball and suddenly disappears as he hears the crying sound of a Bhakta at a distance and rushes away with the ball. After a long time, he returns with his ball in hand to resume the play but the Devis refuse to play with Him as they consider He has played with someone else and the ball in His hand is not theirs.
The Lord pleads His innocence and narrates the reason for his disappearance. His Consorts refuse to accept as they are not to be left out even if it is Bhakta. They argue that their main purpose is to support the devotees along with Him and He cannot solve their problems as they are more kind than Him.
As the quarrel continues, Bhagawat Ramanuja comes to solve their dispute. He tells both the Lord and Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi that they both are inseparable and there should not be any clash between them. He makes both of them come together and the mock quarrel between God and Goddesses come to a happy end.
Then both of them have Mangala Harati and enter the temple together. During the quarrel the Devis throw nine flower balls at the Lord and Malayappaswami runs back to escape from the balls as they are forcibly thrown at Him. There is a belief in the devotees that exchanging the flower balls is an auspicious sign.
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