Tag: brahmotsavams

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.

Kalpavriksha Vahana Seva 2018

Kalpavriksha 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).

Wish-fulfilling Tree for Devotees – Kalpavriksha Vahana Seva

On the fourth day morning of Brahmotsavas, Malayappa Swami along with His consorts moves about the streets on the heavenly Wish-fulfilling Tree carriage (Kalpavriksha Vahana Seva).

Kalpavriksha Vahanam

This Wish-fulfilling Tree emerged in the churning of the Milky Sea by the angels and demons. Being evergreen, it fulfills the desires. While this tree grants only earthly pleasures, the Lord on this tree grants the pleasures of both this world and the other.

As the heavenly wish-fulfilling tree, the Lord blesses those who seek His refuge.

Sarva Bhupala Vahana Seva 2018

Sarva Bhupala 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).

SarvaBhupala Vahanam

All Lords in the Service of the Supreme Lord

Malayappa Swami goes on a procession in Sarva Bhupala Vahana Seva as the Lord of Lords along with Sridevi and Bhudevi on the night of the fourth day of Brahmotsavas.

The Lord with His consorts appears in the golden pavilion dazzling with electric bulbs. He has all the crown jewels of the kings at His feet.

He is the sovereign emperor and hence all the kings under His reign participate in this procession as His carriage. The demigods of eight directions also take part in this with reverence.

Mohini Avatharam 2018

Mohini Avatharam 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).

Mohini Avatharam

Mohini Avatharam – Lord as the Most Charming Lady of the Universe

On the sixth day morning, the Lord appears as the most charming lady of the universe, Jaganmohini, on the golden palanquin with his bewitching bashful looks.

  • The Lord is in a sitting posture as the incarnation of Mohini.
  • He wears a silk saree and a crown decked with jewels in the shape of the Sun and the Moon.
  • He adorns all the ornaments of a lady. He wears a diamond and pearl nose drops.
  • Two lotuses replace His discus and the conch.
  • The right hand of the savior becomes the hand of fearlessness.

The purpose behind this incarnation is that one should realize the God within, without being distracted by the physical beauty.

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.