Tag: garuda Seva

Garuda - The Valiant

Garuda – The Valiant

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Article by Smt. D.K. Ahana Lakshmi

Garuda – Pakshiraja

Garuda is described as Pakshiraja, the king of Birds. All of us recognize him as the vahana or mount of Lord Vishnu. When you enter a Vishnu temple, there is an image or icon of Garuda at the entrance. He is celebrated as ‘Periya Thiruvadi’ just as Hanuman is known as ‘Siriya Thiruvadi’.

Garuda Statue, Alipiri

Origin of Garuda

The origin of Garuda is described in the Adiparva of the Mahabharata. Briefly, he is the son of Sage Kashyapa and Vinata. He is the younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of Lord Surya.

But how did Garuda become Lord Vishnu’s vahana? The story is as follows: His mother Vinata lost a bet with her co-sister Kadruva (who employed a trick) resulting in Vinata becoming a slave to Kadruva and her children, the nagas. This was due to a curse uttered by Aruna who also said that she would be delivered from slavery by her son.

This could be done only by getting the amruta for the snakes that were his step-brothers (Kadruva’s children). Valiant Garuda, the shapeshifter (for he was a master of ashtasiddhis), managed to obtain the amruta that was amazingly guarded. When Garuda was in the air with the pot of nectar, he met Lord Vishnu.

Slokas 13-16 in the 33rd Adhyaya (chapter) of the Adi Parva in Mahabharata describe the encounter (summarised here): At that time, the son of Vinata encountered Lord Vishnu Narayana was pleased with Garuda’s commitment.

He called out to Garuda – ‘I would like to give you a boon’.

Garuda the sky-roamer said, ‘Lord let me serve on your flag’.

And ‘Even without a drink of the nectar, may I be immortal’. The Lord said to Garuda, ‘Let it be so’.

Now Garuda said, ‘Lord, now I proffer thee a boon.’ Lord Vishnu said, ‘I wish that you become my steed’.

And that is how the mighty Garuda became the vahana of Lord Vishnu.

Garuda-seva or the processional of the lord mounted on Garuda is a wonderful spectacle in any Vishnu temple. Crowds throng to worship the lord on Garuda because it is believed that moksha can be easily obtained when worshipping the lord on Garuda Vahana.

Garuda Seva Crowd
Crowd waiting for Garuda Vahana Seva in Tirumala (Tirupati Balaji Temple)

After all, did the Lord not speed to Gajendra’s rescue flying there mounted on Garuda? This scene has also been captured dramatically by the poet Pothana in his ‘Bhagavatam’. Every single illustration of Gajendra moksha shows the lord arriving to rescue the King of Elephants riding his favourite mount.

The third chapter of the ashtama skanda of Srimad Bhagavatam describes what happened. Specifically, the 31st sloka says:

Hearing the mental prayer of the distressed elephant The lord of the world wielding the Sudarsana (discus) Swiftly arrived on his vahana, Garuda, who is Possessed of a speed that depends on his will.

Garuda Vahana is so closely associated with Sriman Narayana that in Narasimha Satakam, Seshappa describing lord Vishnu says “Garudavahana divya kaustubhalankara ravi koti teja sa rangavadana”: On his Garuda vahana, adorned with the divine Kaustubha gem, bright-faced like the sun…” (Verse 83).

But Garuda is much more than all that. In Garuda Panchashat, Swami Vedanta Desika writes that Garuda is the personification of Vedas (verse 3). He says Garuda’s eyes are the Gayatri mantra, his name is the Yajur Veda and so on. At the end of the verse Swami Desika prays saying that the Garuda thus extolled by the Vedas may show us the way to freedom.

Being like Garuda, selfless, devoted and committed to achieving the given task despite hurdles on the way pleases the lord and helps attain moksha.

Garuda Vahanam in Tirumala

At Tirumala, the sight of Sri Malayappa swami mounted on the golden Garuda vahanam during Srivari Brahmotsavam sends devotees into ecstasy. Garuda is often adorned with precious jewels such as the Makara kanti, Salagrama haaram and wears a golden crown.

Garuda Seva

The lord’s feet are securely placed in the open palms of Garuda who is seen kneeling on one leg. Lord’s appearance on Garuda bestows transcendence and salvation to the devotees. There is also a monthly Garuda seva on the full moon night when Sri Malayappa swami varu tours the Mada streets on the Garuda Vahana.

Devotees can watch the Garudavahanaseva live on SVBC Channel and be blessed.

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

Making of Umbrellas for Garuda Seva

Making of Umbrellas for Garuda Seva

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Making of Umbrellas

The celebration of offering umbrellas on the day of Garudotsavam has been in practice for over 180 years. This worship was started by Sri Venkata Krishnamma Setty. It has been in practice traditionally for a long time. For the preparation of umbrellas, nearly a month’s duration is required.

Usually, before two months, the process of the divine work takes its initial startup. One auspicious day is fixed during the fortnight of ‘Ashada Amavasya’ and ‘Purnima’. The material used is well-grown bamboo reapers which are to be worshipped before the making of the umbrellas.

During the making of the umbrellas, the part of the tree trunk is used to make the long post and above that, a ‘kalasa’ is placed. Bamboo reapers, silk cloth and white cloth are woven above the kalasa.

Umbrellas - Brahmotsavams

WoodWork – Bamboo- Silk – Cloth

Different parts of the umbrellas are made in different areas like Woodwork will be taken up in Chennai. The bamboo work will be done in Kanchi and the ornamental silk work will be done in Chintadripeta in Chennai.

Firstly, silk cloth is used inside the umbrella. Above that, Qualitative ‘tracade’ cloth will be used. It is then wrapped in White ‘drill’ cloth. Ornamental ‘kuchu’ designs are decorated around the umbrella.

A white cloth would be placed as a cover on the three types of cloth to protect the shining of the umbrellas during the times of procession. As soon as the umbrellas reach Tirumala, the umbrellas will be unveiled by removing the outer protecting cover. They appear radiantly to the onlookers during the procession.

The ‘kalasalu’ which were arranged above the umbrella and based below the stem of the umbrella would be smeared with gold colour to protect its scintillating effect.

Procession of Umbrellas

Followed by a musical troupe, the umbrellas will be taken in a procession in the streets of Chennapattanam. During this, the devotees offer incense, lights, ‘haarati’ and ‘naivedyam’ to the Lord.

The umbrellas reach the ‘Kalyanamandapam’ located on Kandapu Setty Street in Chennai. The ‘mandapam’ was arranged by the then Mayor of Chennapuri Sri K. Sreeramulu.

It is a rule that the ‘mandapam’ was to be used when the umbrellas were offered gloriously. During those days, the devotees who enter the ‘mandapam’ feel excited, as if they were in the presence of the Lord of Seven Hills at Tirumala.

Umbrellas procession - Brahmotsavams
Procession of Umbrella on Four Mada Streets, Tirumala on eve of Brahmotsavams

Special Privilege

There is a special privilege in the making of these umbrellas. A costly silk cloth is woven for the ‘Moolamurthy’ of Tirumala. It will be kept on a glass shelf and worshipped there itself. Along with the new umbrellas, the devotees bring the cloth and reach Tirumala on foot on the day of Garuda Seva.

Lord Malayappa swami comes along with these newly prepared umbrellas on the Garuda Vahana in a procession at night. Later, the ‘Moolamurthy’ is decorated with valuable silk cloth.

If one visits and serves Lord Venkateswara on the day of Garuda Seva, which is renowned for ‘Kaimkaryam’ of umbrellas, the Almighty will bless the devotees with prosperity, peace and eternal bliss.

Offering of Umbrellas - Garuda Seva

Offering of Umbrellas – Garuda Seva

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Significance of Offering Umbrellas

Garuda Seva during annual Brahmotsvams at Tirumala is the most celebrated and significant seva, rendered to Lord Venkateswara in the form of (an archamurthi), who descended from ‘Vaikunta’ (Lord Mahavishnu) to protect the devotees from the sins and sufferings of Kaliyuga.

During the Garuda Seva, the most ceremonious thing is offering the new umbrellas to the Lord.

The umbrellas are of many kinds. Since time immemorial, man is accustomed for using umbrellas for some or other purpose. In ancient times, devotees used round umbrellas made of palm leaves, wild date leaves, and coconut leaves in rural areas.

In course of time, many kinds of umbrellas came into existence.

Garuda Seva with Umbrellas
Procession of Garuda Vahanam on Mada Streets with Celestial Umbrellas

A novel thought came to the mind of man that the deities also should enjoy them.

The functions of the deities were being performed like that of the birthday, marriage, ceremonial processions etc. with the auspicious, beautiful, royal and superb presence of umbrellas.

Later to make it more attractive, they started preparing them in brass, silver and in gold and offered them to the deities. This became a part of temple ritual in due course of time.

Worship of Offering New Umbrellas

During the days of the annual Brahmotsavams, especially on the day of Garuda Seva, newly prepared and decorated umbrellas are being offered to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala every year.

The worship of offering umbrellas will be done particularly on that day only. It had been in practice for many years. In days of yore, the facilities to organize the tradition were very limited.

They used to bring the umbrellas putting them in the bullock-carts in the light of tapers on foot. It is significant to note that this tradition is being continued by Chettiars residing at Chennai even today.

Kalpavriksha Vahanam
Procession of Kalpavriksha Vahanam on Mada Streets with Celestial Umbrellas

During the ‘Sravanamasa’ in Chennai the glory of ceremonial umbrellas is presented as an eye-feast to the spectators every year. For the Lord of Seven Hills, every day is a day of celebration. It is called ‘Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam.’

Among all the ‘utsavams’ the most glorious and superb ‘utsavam’ is the annual Brahmotsavams held in ‘Sravana/Bhadrapada masa’. According to Puranas, the annual Brahmotsavams were first initiated by Lord Brahma.

During the annual Brahmotsavams, the fifth day ‘utsavam’ is Garudotsavam. It is also called Garuda Seva. On this special day, the devotees come in large numbers to see Lord Venkateswara in his gorgeous sitting posture on Garuda during the procession and
rejoice.

Four small umbrellas and two big umbrellas offered to the Lord every year. The making of these ceremonial umbrellas starts a month before Garuda Seva.