Tag: Snapana Tirumanjanam

Vasanthotsavam in Tirumala - 3 day Utsavam

Vasanthotsavam in Tirumala – 3 day Utsavam

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Everything you need to know about Vasanthotsavam

In a year, many utsavams are celebrated according to Vaikanasa agama, in Tirumala. Every celebration has its importance and significance besides its glory. One of such utsavam is Vasanthotsavam.

After the completion of the Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa Parinaya festival, Vasanthotsavam is being celebrated.

Vasanthotsavam is the combination of 2 words – “Vasantha” (Spring season) and “Utsavam” (festival).

A view of Vasanthotsavam at Tirumala

Arjita Vasanthotsavam

Arjita Vasanthotsavam is also conducted daily as an abridged version of the Vasanthotsavam. Sri Malayappa swami and His consorts – Sridevi and Bhudevi are being seated in single (Eka) golden asanam, to take a holy bath and listen to the Veda mantras.

Vasanthotsavam mandapam

The festival’s highlight is that Lord Malayappa swami and his Consorts are given an aromatic bath, which is believed to give a soothing relief to the deities from the scorching Sun. Abhishekam – specifically called Snapana Thirumanjanam (Holy bath), is performed to the utsava murthi and his consorts on all three days in the Vasanthotsavam mandapam.

The Vasantha mandapam is decorated with not just garlands, but a massive green canopy made out of grapes, apples, sweet lemons, bananas, pineapple and many more varieties spread over the space giving cool shade over the utsava deities mused the devotees, sparkled with sweet smell of green fruits and flavour of aromatic flowers.

The very objective is of this display that Lord Venkateswara is very close to nature and the rituals were performed in natural surroundings which provides an aesthetic feel to devotees.

Starting the period of Achyutaraya

The start of this utsavam (festival) in Tirumala is recorded during the period of Achyutaraya in1460’s. The festival was started with the fund of 3000 narpanam contributed by Periya Solai, the son of the accountant in the temple.

The three-day annual fete used to be carried out at the Vasantha Mandapam, an ancient structure built by the Vijayanagara rulers to perform the Vasanthotsavam. But the old one was demolished as part of the renovation of the temple surroundings in 2006. The new venue — Vaibhavotsava Mandapam — is situated in front of the main temple and this renovated mandapam can accommodate 1200 people at a go.

Ankurarpanam pooja

The festival starts with ankurarpanam pooja (sowing the nine kinds of seeds) ceremony. One day before the start of the Vasanthotsavam festival, punya vachanam (purificatory rites), vaasthu santhi (worship of deity and lord of nature and their elements and natural forces as well as Lord and deity of directions and environment) and sacred consecration rituals are performed by the temple priests.

Vasanthotsavam – First Day

On the first day, Utsava Moorthy Sri Malayappa Swamy with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are being taken in procession through West Mada Street to Vasantha Mandapam and is seated on golden asthanam.

Snapana Tirumanjanam (Snapana Mandapam) / Snapana Thirumanjanam
Snapana Thirumanjanam

Snapana Thirumanjanam

Rituals like Snapana Thirumanjanam are being conducted with special samarpana (offerings) to Lord Malayappa swamy and his two divine consorts in the presence of Jeeyar Swamis.

Pancha Suktha Veda mantras

The archakas and Veda pundits chanted Pancha Suktha Veda mantras consists

  • Purusha Suktham,
  • Narayana Suktham,
  • Sri Suktam,
  • Bhu Suktam and Neela Suktam
  • and some parts of Upanishads and Arulicheyal,
  • Periyalvar Neeraatta pasurams,

while rendering sacred baths to Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. The deities were garlanded with Thulasi mala.

Then the deities were rendered Nakshathra harathi, Kumbha harathi and lastly special Karpoora harati. A golden sieve with thousand apertures is being held over by archakas and the mantrajaba holy kalasa water poured called Sahasrakalasaabhishekam.

After the aromatic bath, the deities are taken in procession through mada streets to reach Swami Sri Ramanuja Sannithi. There, Nithya utsavam is performed. While reaching the Bangaru vaasal (Golden entrance) inside the temple, a Special ornament is being offered to Lord Malayappa Swami. Mangala Vadyam and annamacharyas keerthanas are also rendered.

Vasanthotsavam – Second Day

On the second day morning, Lord Malayappaswami with Sridevi and Boothevi are taken in Golden Chariot to round four Mada Streets and arrive at Vasanthotsava mandapam. There as usual Snapana thirumanjanam (Thirumanjanam on special occasions only) is being offered with devotional fervour. Then madaveethi procession takes place to give Darshan to his devotees, who are eagerly awaiting.

VASANTHOTSAVAM day 3

Vasanthotsavam – Third day

On the third day, abhishekam is performed to the idols of Lord Rama and Krishna with their consorts Sita along with Lakshmana, Hanuman and consort of Lord Krishna Rukminidevi are also placed at the Vasantha Mandapam on their decorated ornamented aastanam (platform).

4 great epochs

The four great epochs are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga, and Kali Yuga. In the Treta Yuga people still remained righteous and adhered to moral ways of life. Lord Rama of the epic poem the Ramayana lived in Treta Yuga.

Lord Rama – Treta Yuga

Lord Rama represents treta yuga, whose principles are Ideal friendship, promising rule, sense of protecting the good and sense of liberality. The mother Sita has also virtuous qualities like chastity, patience, forbearance, the ideal organization of ‘dharma’.

Lord Krishna – Dwapara Yuga

Lord Krishna to represent Dwapara yuga, who taught the Great Bhagavat Gita to restore men, who had lost all knowledge of the intelligence and bliss bodies.

Lord Venkateswara – Kaliyuga

Lord Malayappaswami is to save the people in the present kaliyuga. To mark this, the holy bath is performed on all three deities with Vedic chanting. Later the consecrated idols are taken in a procession in the evening. In front of Sri Ramanuja Sannithi, they are offered asthanam and Nithya utsava.

Procession on Mada Streets - Vasanthotsavam in Tirumala
Procession on Mada Streets – Vasanthotsavam in Tirumala

Prabhandams

In Vasanthotsavam there is no Veethi Ghosti. (Alvars hymns rendering in street procession). However, Siriya Thirumadal is alone recited. Among the six prabhandams of Thirumangai alwar, the two well-known Siriya and Periya Thirumadals are unique for the display of “Nayaka Naayaki Bhavam”.

In this prabhandam Alwar seeks God’s intervention not being able to bear the separation from his only aim in life to reach and serve God. The chanting of Siriya Thirumadal starts at Mahadwaram, where the sathumurai (concluding the Prabhandam) is being done on other occasions and ends at Ramanuja sannithi.

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Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavam - Srinivasa Mangapuram

Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavam – Srinivasa Mangapuram

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Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsava Utsavam at Srinivasa Mangapuram Temple

The T.T.D. performs Various utsavas every year on different occasions to Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami in Srinivasamangapuram. One among them is the annual ‘Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsava utsavam’. This utsavam is conducted for three days in Ashadamasam.

Legend

There is an interesting Sthala Purana behind the celebrations of the Annual Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavam. Sri Venkateswara Swamy married the daughter of Akasaraja, Sri Padmavathi Devi in Narayanavanam and started the journey towards his residence at Tirumala.

On the way, he reached the Agastya Maharshi Ashram on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River and received his hospitality. In those days, there was a rule that the newly wedded couple should not climb the hill for six months.

Hence, Sri Venkateswara Swamy and His consort Sri Padmavathi Devi lived for Six months in Maharshi’s Ashram. After six months, he started his journey to Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy gracefully granted Agastya Maharshi’s wish to remain as Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy there. The place is present Srinivasa Mangapuram.

Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavam - Srinivasa Mangapuram

Evident from the Inscription

Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy is receiving the puja of devotees from the ancient days, the temple of Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy reached its state of dilapidation. As such, the grandson of Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, Chinna Tirumalacharya (Chinnanna) renovated the temple and performed puja to Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy.

This fact is evident from the Inscription dated March 22nd, 1510 at the entrance of the temple. Later, the temple retained its glory for many years till it was lost in the 20th Century. In 1940, an Archaka by name Sri Sundara Raja Swamy of Kanchi came to Srinivasamangapuram.

Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy appeared in the dream to Sundara Raja Swamy and ordered him to see that the temple area be cleaned and the pujas to be continued. As such Sundara Raja Swamy took the help of the local people to clean the bushes in the temple premises and started regular pujas.

Sundara Rajaswamy conducted the puja of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy on July 11th, 1940. That day was Ashada Sukla paksha Shashti. That day was the day on which the great deity showed his blessings through His holy appearance before the devotees. Taking this as an auspicious occasion, The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams started celebrating the “Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavams” every year.

Sakshatkaram

The holy appearance of the deity before the devotees is called Sakshatkaram or Darshan. Taking this occasion of the deity’s holy appearance, the Festival is celebrated and hence, it is called Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavam. This festival is celebrated for three days i.e. previous day and the following day including the day on which His holiness appeared i.e., Ashada sudda shasti.

It is said that Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami appeared in the dream to an ‘Archaka’ and ordered him to see that the temple area be cleaned and pujas be continued in a great way without any interruption. As such, the archaka proceeded with the work and started pujas.

Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavam

Three-Day Ritual

On the First day of these celebrations, the processional deity of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy with His consorts are taken out in a procession from the temple to the Kalyana Mandapa.

Tirumanjanam (Celestial Bath) is conducted between 10.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. In the evening Unjal Seva will be performed. At night, the processional deity of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy along with His consorts is taken out in a procession on Golden Tiruchi around four Mada streets.

Similarly, on the second day, Hanumantha Vahana Seva is celebrated.

On the Third day night, the Garuda Vahana Seva is performed. Taking into consideration, the holy day on which the Lord made his appearance before the devotees, the three-day festival of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy is celebrated with the worshipping of the devotees and in return the Lord blesses them.

Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsava Utsavam at Srinivasa Mangapuram Temple

Final Word

In these Sakshatkara Vaibhavotsavams, the Darshan of the Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy results in endless blessings for the Devotees. Let us all participate in this occasion and be blessed.

Pavitrotsavams in Tirumala

Pavitrotsavams in Tirumala

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Reason for Pavitrotsavams

As per the Vedic tradition, one is not supposed to enter the temple with jatashoucham (impurity due to the birth of offspring) and mrithashoucham (impurity due to death of close relatives). But sometimes, this rule is violated knowingly or unknowingly by the tourists and staff.

The purification ceremony to dispel the evil of such lapses is called Pavitrotsavam. It is different from the general purificatory programmes like temple cleansing, or punyahavachanam (purification through mantra).

When it started

Evidence suggests that Pavitrotsavas were conducted till 15-16 centuries in Tirumala. It stopped abruptly later. The temple has restored the practice since 1962. It takes place for three days.

In Tirumala Hill shrine

Pavitrotsavams (Sacred Festival) is usually celebrated for Three days with ‘Triyahnika Deeksha’, with Ankuraropanam on the previous day, during Sravana Sukla Ekadasi, Dwadasi and Trayodasi.

Pavitrams are adorned on Dwadasi. Ankuraropanam Ritual must be performed 9, 7, 5, 3 or 1 day before the day of Adorning the Pavitram garlands. It is common in all temples, including the Tirumala Hill Shrine, to use Pure silk for making Pavithram garlands.

Pavitrotsavams

In Tirumala Hill Shrine, the Pavitram garlands are adorned on the second day (Dwadasi) and removed on the third day.

The festival begins with Vaasthu Homa and purification with Panchagavyam must be performed. Turmeric water is sprinkled on Pavitrams by reciting appropriate Vedic hymns. In the night Sayanadhivasam Ritual is performed to Pavitrams as prescribed in Pratishta procedure of Vaikhanasa Bhagavachhastram.

On the Sayya Vedika (Bed), for the Pavitram garlands along with Utsava or Snapana Berams, the Adhivasam Ritual is performed. Before putting the Pavitrams on the bed, they must be placed on a heap of paddy and ‘Avahanam’ is performed (invoking Cosmic energy).

Reason for Pavitrotsavams

Snapana Tirumanjanam

Snapanam (Sacred Bath) is performed to the Utsava deities after Homam. In the Homam Ritual, for the purification of Pavitram garlands and Yagasala, Vaasthu Homa is performed.

Snapana Tirumanjanam 26

On the day of ‘Adhivasa’, in the Sabhyagni or Nityagni Homa Kunda, Homa is performed by reciting the Vaishnava mantra. After Sayanadhivasam, in the night, the Houtra Prasamsanam ritual is performed by inviting the respective devathas (god/goddess), and the homa is performed by Appam, Ghee, Laaja by reciting Sukthas.

And in the Poundarikagni, Maha Santhi Homa is performed. This is performed in all Utsavas, to rectify all types of errors [Errors in the recital of hymns, Procedure, procuring necessary articles (dravyas)] committed, knowingly or unknowingly in the current Utsava.

Rectification of Mistakes

By performing this, all the mistakes are thus rectified and results in overall well-being along with peace, prosperity health. While adorning the Pavitram garlands, the texts insist that these Pavitrams must adorn the idol at least for a day.

On the last day of removing the garlands, Purnahuthi ritual is performed and these garlands are distributed to the devotees as prasadam. Other special anna prasadams are offered to the Lord and distributed to the devotees.