Sri Padmavati Ammavaru Brahmotsavams 2024
Tiruchanur, the divine domain of Goddess Sri Padmavati Ammavaru, is one of the highly exalted places in Andhra Pradesh. The temple of Sri Padmavati Ammavaru is situated 5 km from Tirupati town and is exclusively dedicated to Sri Padmavati Ammavaru, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
Tiruchanur Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Kartika Brahmotsavams
28-11-2024 to 06-12-2024
It attracts countless devotees who seek her blessings every day. The temple was established during the reign of the Vijayanagara kings in the 14th century, reflecting its architectural grandeur, and evoking a sense of awe and admiration.
Sri Padmavati Ammavaru, also known as Alamelu Manga, is the mother of auspiciousness, prosperity, and fertility. According to the sacred texts and tradition, the divine manifestation of the Goddess took place by emerging in a golden lotus from the ‘Padmasarovaram’, the sacred lake, surrounded by lush greenery adorned with picturesque lotus flowers.
Karthika Brahmotsavam
This is why devotees often take holy dips in the Padmasarovaram to perform rituals and offer prayers to the Goddess as it is considered to have purifying properties and is auspicious to bathe in its waters. As described in the Padma Purana, Sri Padmavati Ammavaru rises on the Golden Lotus in the auspicious month of Karthika on Shukla Paksha Panchami when the star Uttarashada ascends.
This event is well known as the ‘Karthika Brahmotsavam’, celebrating Sri Padmavati Ammavaru’s birth, also known as Aavirbhava Dinotsavam, uniting the devotees to showcase their communal celebration and seek spiritual solace.
This temple’s sacred proceedings are practised as per the tenets of one of the most revered Agama, the Pancharatra Agama. This Agama is believed to be taught by Lord Sri Venkateswara himself to five divine personalities in five nights.
5 Personalities
The five personalities are
- Ananta, the Serpent King,
- Garuda, the king of Birds,
- Commander in Chief Lord Vishwaksena,
- Chatur Mukha Brahma and
- Lord Parameshwara.
The annual Brahmotsavam unfolds over nine days, and each day is meticulously planned with an array of rituals designed to invoke divine blessings. The event commences with the ceremonial flag hoisting, known as Dwajarohana, at the Dwajastambha.
The flag is uniquely adorned with the symbol of an elephant, representing auspiciousness, deep affection, and reverence it holds for the Goddess. In many Vishnu temples, it is customary for Garuda, the divine eagle, to serve as the mount to the Lord; thus, the flag also features his emblem during the hoisting ceremony.
Hence, this symbolism enriches the ritual highlighting the endearment to the Goddess. The event proceeds further with the Ankurarpana, a ceremony of planting seeds in the divine land of Bhuma Devi for prosperity, while the deity of the Commander in Chief, Vishwaksena, is carried around the circumambulation path to make sure the event is functioning effectively.
Sri Padmavati Ammavari Brahmotsavams – Vahana Sevas
First Day
The very first Vahana Seva of the Brahmotsavam takes place on the evening of the first day. The Chinna Sesha Vahana, also known as Vasuki, the female serpent, is designated as the divine vehicle, marking a significant moment in the ceremony. The Vahana is embellished with intricate designs and vibrant flowers.
Second Day
On the morning of the second day, Ammavaru mounts the Pedda Sesha Vahana, the male serpent, symbolizing strength and protection. As she graces her devotees, the goddess is seen displaying her Abhaya Varada Hasta, a gesture of reassurance and blessing.
On the night of the second day, Sri Padmavati Ammavaru elegantly mounts the Hamsa Vahana, the majestic swan. Ammavaru is attired as Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, holding a finely crafted Veena in her hand, embodying the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.
Third-Day
The Vahana Seva on the third day commences with the Muthyapu Pandiri Vahana, where Ammavaru is ornamented with radiant pearls that serve as Talambralu, the sacred rice traditionally used in Telugu wedding ceremonies.
In the evening, Ammavaru majestically rides the Simha Vahana, a powerful symbol of courage and might, showcasing her strength and fierce protection over her worshippers.
Fourth Day
On the morning of the fourth day, Alamelumanga transforms into the divine attire of Lord Krishna, in the Kalpavriksha Vahana, holding a sword and a Yogadanda, committing to safeguard the cows.
In the evening, Lord Hanuman is delegated as Sri Padmavati’s divine vehicle, embodying strength, devotion and loyalty.
Fifth Day
On the morning of the fifth day, the Goddess of lotus royally mounts the Pallaki, the palanquin, in her Mohini Avataram, her hair elegantly braided with an ornate design featuring Surya and Chandra, the Sun and the Moon respectively, casting a celestial glow around her.
In the evening, the cherished Gaja, or the elephant, serves as the majestic vehicle for Padmavati Ammavaru, and takes her on a stroll around the temple, signifying the blessings of abundance and sovereignty.
Sixth Day
On the sixth day of Vahana Seva, the festivities commence with the Sarvabhupala Vahana, where Ammavaru is gracefully carried aloft as she embodies the beloved daughter of the Sea and the Lord of all rivers.
Pilgrims gather to worship her on this auspicious occasion believing that their devotion can lead to the attainment of power and immense wealth.
Lord Sri Venkateswara’s vehicle, Garuda, sets out to be Ammavaru’s vahana for the evening, on the sixth day of the Vahana Seva. Garuda, known for his capability of overcoming any adversary, and serving the god in his battles against evil, is embellished with exquisite ornaments to shimmer in the temple lights.
Surya, the Sun, is the designated chariot for Ammavaru on the seventh day in the morning, radiating brilliance, energy, and vitality, and reflecting his sun rays, on the seventh day in the morning.
Similarly in the evening, Chandra, the moon, takes Ammavaru around the circumambulation path, symbolizing tranquillity, as his luminous yet calming rays soothe the devotees with serenity.
Eighth Day
The eighth day commences with Rathotsavam. During this festivity, Ammavaru’s towering chariot is studded with ornaments and decorated with flowers, and colorful silk fabrics, reflecting the splendor of Sri Padmavati.
This Ratha is surrounded by a large number of devotees to witness the procession, as the chariot is drawn through the temple streets.
As night falls, the final vahana of Sri Padmavati Ammavari Brahmotsavams is Ashwa, the divine horse. It is believed that the Ashwa had witnessed the sacred union of Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavati.
Ninth Day
The ninth day of the festival, revered as the most auspicious by women, is celebrated as Panchami Teertham, also known as Chakra Snanam.
Devotees from around the globe eagerly partake in this sacred tradition, immersing themselves in the serene waters of Padmasarovaram.
This day holds special significance for worshippers, as it is believed to commemorate the miraculous emergence of Goddess Padmavati from the sacred pond on a golden lotus, marking the divine communion between the Lord and the Goddess.
Offerings from the Lord
The festivities of the Panchami Teertham commence early in the morning with the welcoming of the ‘Saare’, brought forth by the Ekangis, who arrive bearing exquisite gifts for the Lord’s Pattapuraani. The Saare, a royal basket, is filled with vibrant turmeric, royally scented sandalwood, fresh fruits, luxurious silk fabrics, and fragrant holy basil leaves—all of which have been lovingly applied to the Lord Himself.
The Saare holds a place of great significance during Panchami Teertham, as the holy basket is carefully balanced atop the Ekangi’s head, embodying devotion and auspiciousness. The Ekangis carry the saare from Tirumala to Alipiri along the sacred steps and take the path via the ‘Komalamma choultry’ to honour Komalamma, en route to Sri Kodanda Rama Swami Temple.
Komalamma was an ardent devotee of the Lord. Back in the day, Komalamma played a pivotal role in establishing a choultry for devotees travelling to Tirumala, ensuring that accommodation facilities were accessible and welcoming for all. This choultry used to be on the outskirts of Tirupati.
From here, the Ekangi rides on an elephant, bearing gifts from Srivaru in a basket filled with turmeric, vermillion, pleasantly scented sandal, Srivari Laddu, vada, appam, and jilebi. A Paricharaka sits behind him, gently swaying the flying whisk, also known as the Chamara, to preserve the fragrance of the offerings.
The elephant then comes to a halt in front of Sri Kodanda Rama Swami Temple, where they perform a Harati for the prasadam sent by the Lord before taking a stroll around the temple grounds.
The prasadam is then carried to Sri Govindaraja Temple, with the elephant following the route along Chinna Bazaar Street before descending the steps to reach the temple via Uttara Mada Street. A similar honour is offered to the elephant in front of the temple.
The elephant finally arrives at its destination, Pasupu / Turmeric Mandapam in Tiruchanur, after a majestic journey through the streets of Tirupati. The officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and the archakas of the Tiruchanur Temple extend a warm welcome to the elephant outside the Pasupu Mandapam, celebrating its remarkable journey to deliver these precious presents from the Lord to the goddess.
In the past, people would grind the turmeric in this mandapam, believing it to bring prosperity and blessings into their lives. Following the Snapana Thirumanjanam of Sri Padmavati Ammavaru and the Sudarshana Chakra, Sri Shatari of the Ammavaru and Sudarshana Chakra are elegantly processioned to the Padmasarovaram.
During the auspicious moment of Abhijeet Lagna on Panchami, around noon, the archakas recite the sacred hymns from the Pancharatra Agama. They then immerse the deities in the Pushkarini, sanctifying the water. It is believed that Lord Sri Venkateswara himself comes to visit the Goddess from the Sarovaram, arriving on his Garuda Vahana.
An eagle is often seen flying around the sacred pond during the moment of Panchami Teertham, a miraculous event that continues to leave the devotees in awe. Sri Padmavati Ammavaru, revered as the mother of auspiciousness and fertility, bestows her blessings of abundance and prosperity upon her devotees.
It is said that, Purchasing turmeric and Vermilion from Tiruchanur on this sacred occasion is believed to promote health, wealth, and overall well-being, enriching one’s life with fruitful opportunities.
Tiruchanur Sri Padmavati Ammavari Karthika Brahmotsavam culminates on the ninth evening, with the spiritually significant event, the Dwajavarohanam, marking a grand conclusion to the celebrations.
