Tag: Brahmotsavam

Although many utsavas are conducted for the Lord throughout the year, the Brahmotsavams which take place for nine days a year assume greatest prominence in the history of Tirumala.

Garuda Seva 2018

Garuda Seva 2018

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There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Garuda Seva – Supreme Lord on Garuda

Garuda’s carriage (Garuda Vahana Seva) occupies the top place on the night of the fifth day of Brahmotsavas. Garuda represents the manifestation of the Vedas, while the Lord is the crown of the Vedas. Thus, their combination is quite holy and auspicious. Devotees throng the place for this ceremony.

Garuda Vahana Seva or Garuda Seva

In this ceremony, Malayappa Swami is adorned with the presiding deity’s ornaments like

  • Makara kanti (a special chain),
  • Lakshmi haram (chain of golden coins with carvings of Lakshmi’s image),
  • Venkateswara Sahasranama maala (chain of golden coins with Lord’s thousand names engraved).

Garuda Seva

As it is believed that there is no difference between the presiding deity and the processional deity in this ceremony, the Lord’s darshan on Garuda carriage is supposed to be the most auspicious.

On the same day, the garlands worn by Goda Devi are taken in procession from Villiputtur to decorate the Lord of Tirumala.

New umbrellas are also brought on the same day. Thus, the ceremony offers a feast to the eyes with distinguished ornaments, silk garments, and canopies.

Umbrella

Hanumantha Vahanam 2018

Hanumantha Vahanam 2018

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There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Hanumantha Vahanam – Lord of Ananda Nilaya on Anjaneya

The Lord singly goes on a procession on a Hanuman carriage (Hanumantha Vahana Seva) on the sixth day of Brahmostsavas).

Hanumantha VahanamVenkatadri Rama appears as Lord Sri Rama of Tretayuga. In the auspicious waking up ceremony every morning, the Lord is addressed as Rama, the son of Kousalya, in the shloka, “Kousalya supraja rama poorvaa sandhya pravartate.” Hanuman is a symbol of servitude as devotion.

The Lord has made Hanuman who served Him faithfully in Tretayuga, His carriage now to reveal his commitment to devotion to the present generation.

Golden Chariot 2018

Golden Chariot 2018

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There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year by TTD, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine day).

Golden Chariot

Golden Lord in the Golden Chariot

On the sixth day at noon, there will be Vasanthothsavam (Spring Festival) for Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi in the Ranganayaka pavilion.

The same evening they board the golden chariot. In the golden twilight of the Sun, they wander about the four main (mada) streets of Tirumala in the bright golden chariot.

This is called “Suvarna Ratha Ranga Dolotsavam” (Swing Ceremony on the Golden Chariot).

Golden Chariot 2018

Gaja Vahana Seva 2018

Gaja Vahana Seva 2018

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Gaja Vahana Seva

There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Gaja Vahana Seva 2018 1

Lord of the Universe on the Regal Elephant

On the sixth day evening, Malayappa Swami alone goes on a procession on the elephant carriage (Gaja Vahana Seva) reminding us of the “Gajendra’s Redemption” episode of the Bhagavata. It suggests that the Lord will come to the rescue of those who seek His refuge just as He did in the case of the distressed elephant.

A glimpse of the Lord on the elephant carriage, it is believed, will redeem us from the troubles, however, grave they may be.

Gaja Vahana Seva

This world is like a lake. The crocodile is our karma. The elephant is the embodied soul. Venkateswara is the Lord who redeems us from earthly ties and karma. The carriage suggests that the devotees, instead of gloating over their strength, should completely surrender to the Lord and seek His refuge leaving their upkeep to the Lord.

Surya Prabha Vahanam 2018

Surya Prabha Vahanam 2018

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Surya Prabha Vahanam

There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Lord of the Seven Hills on the Solar Orb – Surya Prabha Vahana Seva

On the seventh day of Brahmotsavas, the Lord in red garlands moves about the streets of Tirumala on the Sun carriage (Surya Prabha Vahana Seva) drawn by seven horses.

Surya Prabha Vahanam

Lord Venkateswara alone appears with golden armor on the Sun carriage as the morning rays of the Sun touch Him suggesting that He is the Surya Narayana in the middle of the solar orb. Brightness itself is a form of God. Indians worship the Sun- God as the visible God.

There is no life without the Sun who is the relative of the world, lover of the lotus, and torch-bearer for creation.

He is none else than a replica of Lord Vishnu, the beloved of Goddess Lakshmi who has made the Sun and the Moon His eyes.

surya-prabha-vahanam

Chandra Prabha Vahanam 2018

Chandra Prabha Vahanam 2018

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Chandra Prabha Vahanam

There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Chandra Prabha Vahanam

Handsome Lord on the King of Stars

On the seventh day of Brahmotsavas, Lord Malayappa Swami goes on a procession in the Lunar carriage (Chandra Prabha Vahana Seva) in the cool night. Lord Srikrishna proclaims in the Bhagavad Gita: “I am the Moon among the stars” (“Nakshatraana Maham Sashee”).

Chandra Prabha Vahana Seva

According to Purusha Sukta, the Moon is born of God’s mind. While the Sun lights up the day, the Moon lights up the night. The Moon shines with the aid of the Sunlight. With its immortal cool rays, it causes delight. Similarly, the Lord on the Moon carriage also offers a pleasant sight.

Rathotsavam - Car Festival 2018

Rathotsavam – Car Festival 2018

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Rathotsavam

There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Rathotsavam 2018
Malayappa Swamy Varu along with his consorts – Sri Devi and Bhu Devi

Divine Chariot Fulfilling Desires

On the eighth day morning of the Brahmotsavas, Malayappa Swami along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi goes on a procession in the Chariot (wooden chariot) – Rathotsavam which is high like the Meru mountain.

What is special about this is the devotees themselves drag the chariot taking the reins, because it is believed that the sight of the Lord on the chariot will cut the chain of births. The car festival has a unique philosophical knowledge to offer. Kathopanishat aptly compares the relationship between the soul and the body to the chariot tour.

The body is the chariot. Sensibility is the charioteer.

Rathotsavam 2018
Rathotsavam
  • A mind is the reins.
  • Senses are the horses.
  • Sensual pleasures are the paths trodden.
  • Soul, an aspect of the Supreme Soul within, is the master of the chariot.

This simile teaches us by implication that one should restrain the senses through the reins of mind, let the body-chariot go on the right track led by the sensibility-charioteer, and recognize the Supreme Soul through the embodied soul, the master of the chariot and attain redemption by serving Him.

It also suggests that there won’t be any difficulty even if the track is up and down provided the wheels of the chariot are properly fixed and the devotion, i.e. the mind-chariot is unswerving.

Aswa Vahana Seva 2018

Aswa Vahana Seva 2018

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There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Aswa Vahana Seva

On the eighth day evening of Brahmotsavas, the Lord goes for a ride on the Horse carriage (Aswa Vahana Seva). The purpose of this ceremony is that Lord Srinivasa incarnates as Kalki on a horse at the end of Kaliyuga to punish evil and protect the good.

Aswa Vahanam

BRAHMOTSAVAMS IN TIRUMALA

BRAHMOTSAVAMS IN TIRUMALA

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“Venkatadri Samam sthanam Brahmande Nasthi Kinchana”

Annual Brahmotsavams

There is no sacred place in the Brahmanda like ‘Venkatadri’. Out of all pilgrim centers throughout the world, ‘Venkatadri’ is being considered as a unique place. Since the advent of Lord Venkateswara as ‘Swayambhu’ in Tirumala, the ‘Annual Brahmotsavams’ are being celebrated for nine days in the month of ‘Aswiyuja’ in a celestial manner.

Salakatla Brahmotsavams

But, according to Chandramana, the adhika Masam comes once in three years. Because of this, the first (Annual) Brahmotsavams to Srivaru was held in Kanya/ Bhadrapada masa, as per the arrangement made by Lord Brahma called ‘Salakatla Brahmotsavams’.

Navaratri Brahmotsavams

The second Brahmotsavams ‘Navaratri Brahmotsavams’ would be conducted in Aswiyuja masa.

  • Accordingly, the first (Annual) Brahmotsavams to Srivaru starts in Kanya / Bhadrapada Masam.
  • The second Brahmotsavam would be celebrated in the month of ‘Aswiyuja’.

The difference between these two Brahmotsavams is there would be no ‘Ankurarpana’, ‘Dwajarohanam’, and ‘Dwaja Avarohanam’ in the Navaratri (Second) Brahmotsavam.

Besides these two (Salakatla and Navaratri) Brahmotsavams, this year in September, the other festivals like

  • Sri Krishnastami,
  • Gokulastami,
  • Adi Varaha Jayanthi,
  • Vamana Jayanthi,
  • Balarama Jayanthi,
  • Sri Krishna Jayanthi and
  • Ananta Padmanabha Swami Vratam will appear.

Another important festival is ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’. Lord Ganesha is called ‘Adideva(remover of obstacles)’. He is always worshipped before performing any type of pooja or vratam. Let us worship all these gods and get their blessings. The Lord of the Seven Hills is the sole deity, who gives protection to all of us.

 

Brahmotsavams 2018
Kalpavriksha Vahanam – Annual Brahmotsavams 2018

 

During the auspicious days of the Brahmotsavams, Lord Venkateswara gives us his splendorous ‘darshan’, while he goes in processions on many beautifully decorated ‘Vahanas’ with multiple ornaments and garlands. It is an eye-feast to the visiting pilgrims.

Devotees for Garuda Seva
Devotees waiting for the procession of Garuda Seva which usually starts @ 7 PM

 

This spiritual atmosphere creates bliss in the hearts of innumerable devotees. He is the only god on this earth, who can eradicate all kinds of difficulties in ‘Kali Yuga’. It is simply sufficient to participate in the holy celebrations of Lord Venkateswara with devotional and spiritual zeal.

When we chant the auspicious name ‘Govinda’, our wishes will be fulfilled. The sins that belong to our previous births also would be washed away. When we go a step forward to visit our Lord, he comes forward with ten steps to bless us.

Golden Chariot

During the Brahmotsavams one should maintain Cleanliness, Tilaka dharana, wear traditional dress, and entreat the famous Lord as ‘Nitya Kalyana Chakravarthy’.

He grants knowledge, prosperity, the power of the mind, courage, and fortitude to his devotees for the sake of the welfare of society.

Let us have the sublime ‘darshan’ of our Lord of the Seven Hills during the Brahmotsavams and get ourselves blessed with his abundant magnificence and splendor.

Importance of Brahmotsavams

Importance of Brahmotsavams

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Brahmotsavam

God Srinivasa was the cynosure of every eye, strolling on the streets of Tirumala with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

  • One day he would ride a horse, comparable to Ucchaisrava,
  • on another on an elephant like Airavata,
  • on yet another day Adisesha or Garuda, the personification of the Vedas.

He showered his blessings on all the devotees, both human and divine, who went there to witness the great festival.

The services of the cars (Vahanas) were preceded by a melodious rendition of songs by the Gandharvas to the accompaniment of strung as well as percussion instruments.

  • Apsaras danced to the tune of instruments.
  • Vandi and Magadha sang in praise of Srinivasa.
  • Rich devotees offered food and clothes to the pilgrims.
  • To the learned and deserving, they gifted gold and houses.

“Srinivasotsavadinam punyam papapranasanam” – “The day of Srinivasa’s festival dispels sins and showers blessings on all” – so saying, the pilgrims praised Brahma who organized the festival. God Srinivasa said to Brahma who organized a grand festival with chariots twice a day and food (naivedyam) thrice a day, “Brahma, your wish is fulfilled. I am pleased.

This festival will hereafter be known as Brahmotsavam. All those who witness the Rathotsava organized by you will easily cross the insurmountable ocean of ‘samsara’ and will be blessed, and liberated from the cycle of birth and death. I will protect them all with my mercy. As they believe, so shall they be blessed”.

Srinivasa asked Brahma to wish for a boon

“Those who earnestly offer food, clothes, money, houses or utensils to the deserving and the devotees during the yajna called Brahmotsava (ut + sava = utsava) will be blessed and will prosper in life with riches and happiness”. So saying, Srinivasa asked Brahma to wish for a boon.

Brahma saluted Srinivasa and prayed to him, ”O God, please stay here on this Venkatachala so that all may witness you. Allow a festival like this, to be celebrated, annually. Protect everyone with your mercy, showering boons and blessings on all.

Grant me this, my wish”. Srinivasa consented and granted him the boon. “Brahma, I will stay on Venkatadri as you wish, appear to the people and protect them all with my mercy, confer on their prosperity and happiness”.

Srinivasa – Boon – Giver

True to his word, Srinivasa (Venkateswara), the boon – giver will stay until the epoch of Kali (Kaliyuga), till the end of the Sweta Varaha Kalpa on Venkatadri. In recognition of the great deed of Brahma in arranging for the festivities (for the bliss of the world) of Srimannarayana who incarnated himself for the worship of people at the request of Brahma, the Venkateswara Ashtottaranama Stotra has a reference to Brahma,

“Om Brahma kritotsavaya Sri Venkatesaya Namah” (49) – “salutations to Sri Venkateswara who has accepted the celebrations arranged by Brahma”. Brahma is a blessed soul.

Venkatachalapathi  – fulfilling all their wishes

All the gods, saints, and people who came to see the great celebrations in honor of Srinivasa, conducted by Brahma, felt happy that they could see to their eyes content, Venkatachalapathi who has the power to fulfill all their wishes, washing away all their sins and conferring blessings on them all, thanks to the penance, good deeds or austerities performed in their past lives, maybe.

So saying, they bade farewell to Srinivasa and returned to their abodes with the Lord’s permission.

Click here to know more about Brahmotsavams