Srivari Brahmotsavams 2024
The celebration of Srivari Brahmotsavams is the grandest spectacle of the year. Hundreds of thousands congregate at Tirumala to have the grand darshan of Lord Venkateswara as He moves around the streets on a different mount each morning and evening for nine days.
Filled with excitement and devotion, the atmosphere is charged. These days, even those who cannot participate in person can participate virtually because of television and live streaming on the TTD SVBC channel and other websites and the sharing of photos and videos on social media.
Celebration of festivals has been part of the culture of the temple at Tirumala since ancient times. For example, there is a reference in the Ahananooru, one of the eight anthologies (ettuthokai) of the Sangam Tamil literature to ‘Vengadam, prosperous because of the festivals celebrated there.’
The earliest epigraphic references can be traced back to 966 CE citing the endowments made by the Pallava queen Samavai, and subsequently others such as the Telugu Pallava king Vijaya Ganda Gopala Deva, Tribhuvana Chakravarthi Tiruvenkatanatha Yadava Rayalu and Veera Prathapa Rayalu to organize the Brahmotsavams to the Lord at Tirumala.
But why the name ‘Brahmotsavam’, Brahma’s festival?
Srivari Brahmotsavams 2024 – will be celebrated between 4th October and 12th October 2024.
Venkataachala Maahatmyam – Bok
In his book, ‘Venkataachala Maahatmyam’, Paravastu Venkata Ramanuja Swamy cites the Varaha Purana explaining the origin of the Brahmotsavam. Many eons ago, sages and yogis were being harassed by ‘asuras,’ especially Ravana. They went to Vaikunta in search of Mahavishnu, the only one who could save them. ‘He is visiting the earth’, said a dweller of Vaikunta. So, they made their way to the earth.
On the way, they met the sage Narada and he suggested that they all go and ask Lord Brahma for a solution. They prostrated before Lord Brahma and prayed for his help. Lord Brahma narrated the story of how Ravana’s power was built through penance and that he could be killed only by a non-human. The only solution was to seek the help of Lord Mahavishnu. But where is he on earth? Lord Brahma opined that Lord Vishnu was at that time believed to be in Venkatadri, because it was after the Varaha ‘avatara’ and it was ‘Varaha kshetram‘.
Now, all the sages along with Lord Brahma trudged to Seshachalam. They searched here and there but could not find Lord Vishnu. Led by Lord Brahma, they performed penance. Meanwhile, the king Dasaratha who had no sons was advised by the sage Vasistha to head to Venkatadri. Bathing in the sacred waters and washing off his sins, he wandered around and saw many rishis immersed in the worship of Lord Vishnu.
Amidst them was Lord Brahma on a tiger skin, His four faces glowing brilliantly as He meditated on Lord Srinivasa. Vasistha initiated Dasaratha with the ‘Venkatesa Ashtakshari Mantra’ and Dasaratha devotedly chanted. Lord Mahavishnu would not deny His beloved devotee a glimpse!
There was a blinding flash of light and suddenly they all found themselves in the abode of Lord Mahavishnu! Ecstatic at this rare divine vision, everyone eulogized the Lord. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Srinivasa asked them what their problem was. Lord Brahma, the sages like Agastya and Sanaka, and Dasaratha explained their difficulties to Him. The Lord smiled and said that He would solve all their problems. Full of relief and happiness, the sages and others left. But Lord Brahma stayed behind.
Seeing him, Lord Srinivasa asked how he could help. Lord Brahma explained that it went to His heart that the Lord was not visible to the people. In Kaliyuga, people couldn’t do penance to be able to see the Lord. It was important for the Lord to take care of His people as otherwise they would be condemned to Hell. Lord Brahma requested Lord Mahavishnu as Lord Srinivasa to stay back in Venkatadri in His physical form for all to see. And the Lord agreed that He would stay here in Venkatachala till the end of this ‘Kalpa’ along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Lord Brahma still stood there. Then Lord Vishnu asked Lord Brahma about his wish. To this, Lord Brahma replied that He wanted to celebrate Lord Srinivasa’s glory by hoisting His ‘dwaja’ or flag and holding a festival. The Lord agreed to this also. This happened on the day of Shravana star in Kanya Month. Since Lord Brahma Himself conducted ‘utsavas’ for nine days ending on the day of the Lord’s self-manifestation, this event is known as ‘Brahmotsavams’.
Just as Lord Brahma invited all the gods, demi-Gods and others to participate in the festival, before the auspicious ‘dwajaarohana’, the ‘utsava murthis’ along with the ‘parivar’ (family) deities are taken around the four Mada streets in procession. Garuda flying high invites everyone to participate.
Let’s take part in the grand divine festival and obtain the graceful blessings of Lord Srinivasa!
Brahma Ratham
To this day, in commemoration to Brahmotsavam, a small empty chariot known as the ‘Brahma Ratham’ goes before the daily procession of the ‘utsava murties’ (processional deities) twice on the Brahmotsavam days.
