Sri Godambika Sri Vratam Nirattotsavam

Sri Godambika

Godambika or Goda Devi or Andal as popular in Tamil Vaishnava Tradition are the names of the same great person. Godambika was the only female of Vaishnava Dharma among the 12 alwars or azhwars.

She was praised as the human incarnation of Goddess Bhudevi as a baby found in the Tulasi Garden at Sri Villiputtur having not been born from any motherā€™s womb. Vishnuchitta or Periyalwar while collecting Tulasi leaves for preparing garlands for Lord Vishnuā€™s worship found this female baby in the Tulasi Garden brought home and started nourishing.

Thus she was brought up as the daughter of Vishnuchitta. Since her childhood, she had been a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. She took worshipping Lord Vishnu as the only prime duty of her life. While growing up, she used to adorn her hair with garlands to be offered to God.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram / Goda Devi Dressed up as a child - Godambika or Goda Devi or Andal
Goda Devi Dressed up as a child – Godambika or Goda Devi or Andal

Vishnuchitta who had no knowledge of this used to offer those garlands to the God Vishnu. One day he saw his daughter’s hair on a garland and worried badly. He observed fasting for the mistake done. Then he had a dream in which Sri Ranganatha Swami (an aspect of Lord Vishnu) asked him to offer the garlands to Him every day only after Godambika bedecks them first.

It became a practice in the Temple ever since to offer the garlands in that manner only. Then onwards she was called Amuktamalyada in Sanskrit and Cudikodutta nacchiyar in Tamil. Godambikaā€™s devotion and love for Lord Vishnu were growing stronger and stronger. She had a strong desire to be the spouse of Sri Mahavishnu (Vatapatra Sayi) of Sri Villiputtur.

Hence she decided to perform a one-month length austerity worshipping Lord Vishnu just as the Gopikas performed Katyayani Vrata in the Dvapara Yuga to procure Sri Krishna as their husband. The day she began the austerity, was the first day of Dhanurmasa.

Thus during those 30 days, she wrote 30 Pasurams praising Sri Maha Vishnu. At the end of the 30th day, Sri Ranganatha graced and accepted her hand in marriage. Thus she became the spouse of Sri Ranganatha Swami. The thirty pasurams written by her occupied a very prominent place among the four thousand PASURAMS written by all the 12 Alwars.

Tiruppavai Vratam at Tirumala

Since that day in all the Vaishnava Temples, a festival has been celebrated for Thirty Days in the entire Dhanurmasa by the name TIRUPPAVAI which means ā€œThe Austerity of the Divine Goddessā€.

As in all the other traditional Vaishnava temples in the Tirumala Temple also this TIRUPPAVAI is grandly celebrated. As a part of these celebrations at Tirumala in the early morning, instead of Suprabhata the recitation of the Tiruppavai Pasurams of Sri Godambika is done in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

On the bosom of Sri Venkateswara Swami just by the side of the small idol of Sridevi a golden parrot is decorated in all the thirty days of Dhanurmasa.

Nirattotsavam at Tirupati - Sri Govinda RajaSwamy Temple

Nirattotsavam at Tirupati – Sri Govinda RajaSwamy Temple

While Dhanurmasa is celebrated on the Tirumala hill in this manner the Nirattotsavam is celebrated as a part of the Dhanurmasa festival at Sri Govindarajaswami Temple (clicking here will take you to Google Maps) at Tirupati.

Nirattotsavam is an annual festival performed for seven days before the annual BHOGI festival.

The NIRATTAM means ABHISHEKA or Sacred bath to the Goddess. The sequence of the daily events in the seven-day festival is performed in the following manner. After the early morning Dhanurmasa Puja at the Govindarajaswami Temple, the idol of Godambika is brought out in a beautifully decorated Palanquin to the banks of the Ramachandra Pushkarini through the holy streets surrounding the Govindaraja Swamy temple.

There on an elevated platform of Niratta Mandapa, Goddess Godambika is seated to be visible to all the devotees and starts the performance of Nirattam (Abhishekam) with sacred waters, cow milk and other panchaamritam reciting various Suktams like Sri Sukta, Bhu Sukta, Nila Sukta etc. After Nirattam or Abhisheka, the priests offer Naivedyam or Sacred Food to the Goddess.

Then Sattumora prayers are recited followed by the Divine Assembly called ‘Asthanam’. This process goes on till the evening. In the evening, Goddess Godambika is well decorated with flower garlands and seated in the Tirucchi vahanam.

A procession starts from the Ramachandra Pushkarini through the holy streets and the Goddess is brought back to the temple of Sri Govindarajaswami while the Vedic scholars chant Vedic hymns and the musicians play on various instruments throughout the procession.

In this manner, this NIRATTOTSAVAM is celebrated for seven days.

Bhogi Teru

On the eighth day i.e., BHOGI which is the previous day to Makara Sankranti the BHOGI TERU festival is performed with festive fervour. As a part of this festival, the well-ornamented idols of Sri Godambika and Sri Krishna Swami are seated in a beautifully decorated Chariot and a procession is led around the sacred streets around the Holy Temple of Sri Govindarajaswami.

Bhogi Teru - Sri Govindarajaswami Temple Tirupati

The Nirattotsavam and Bhogi Teru together is a nine-day festival in all the Vaishnava Divya Desams. But in the Govindarajaswami temple of Tirupati, this is celebrated for eight days of which in the first seven days the Nirattotsavam is celebrated and on the eighth day Bhogi Teru is celebrated.

With the advent of Makara Sankramanam the holy Dhanurmasa comes to an end and the Makaramasa begins.

Chakra Snanam and Procession of Deities

In the morning hours of MAKARA SANKRANTI day, the Sacredbath is performed to Sri Chakrattalwar in Alwar Tank at Kapila Tirtham. In the evening a procession of the deities Sri Godambika and Sri Krishna Swami is led in the holy streets of Sri Govindarajaswami temple.

Goda Devi Kalyanam

The grand celebration of the Divine Kalyanam of Sri Godambika with Sri Krishna Swami is performed on the day of KANUMA, the next day to Makara Sankranti in the Kumbha Harati Mandapam following the scriptural instructions of Agamas.

During that Kalyanam event, the Purana recitation of Sri Goda Kalyanam also goes on as a customary part.

Final Word

Thus the grand series of Godambika Festival with various month-long events is celebrated with great devotion, dedication to the God and Goddess and with an unparallel festive zeal.

The Tiruvadipooram Festival

Everything about the Tiruvadipooram Festival

Sri Maha Vishnu liberated Sri Bhu Devi who was kept under the ocean by the Hiranyaksha. Sri Bhu Devi was quite relieved and prayed to God to pronounce the method by which people, who were suffering in the miserable world, could be liberated from the Ocean of Samsara (just like She was liberated from the Deep Ocean).

Lord Vishnu said, ā€œIf one surrenders to Him with deep faith, He will liberate and lead him to His permanent abode, Vaikunta, where there will be only everlasting delight and happiness.ā€ These words prompted Sri Bhu Devi to incarnate Herself in this world, as Sri Goda Devi otherwise called Sri Andal and propagate the theme of ā€˜saranagatiā€™ or self surrender through her two works of Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi and by Her devotional performance.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram

Twelve Alvars

The twelve Alwars are divine saints, blessed by the Lord, who took ā€˜avatarsā€™ in the world to spread ā€˜bhaktiā€™ and ā€˜saranagatiā€™ cults in this world. Among them, Sri Vishnu Chittar who came to be known as Periyalvar is a significant Alwar and whose works are the first ones to be incorporated in Nalayira Divya Prabandham in the Mudalayiram part.

He was born in Sri Villiputhur in the southern part of India. He was doing ā€˜Maala Kainkaryamā€™ to the Lord in the temple of Sri Vatpatrasayee. He was looking after the garden of the temple, cultivating fragrant flowers and Tulasi in particular. By the grace of the Lord, He found a female child in the Tulasi garden and brought her to his home.

He named her Goda (a beautiful garland) and brought her up well, teaching the stories of Srimad Bhagavatam. She grew up with deep devotion to Lord Krishna. She was none other than the incarnation of Sri Bhu Devi. It may be noted that Sita Devi (incarnation of Sri Devi) was also found while tilling the ground by King Janaka to construct ā€˜yagasala.ā€™

Similarly, Goda Devi was also found in the Tulasi garden. Both of them were born divine. The day on which Sri Goda Devi was found and adopted as the child of Sri Periyalvar, is in the month of ADI (Tamil month corresponding to July-August) with the star POORAM (Pubba) and is considered a very auspicious day and is celebrated as ‘Tiruvadipooram’.

The Tiruvadipooram Festival or Tiruvaadippooram Festival

Sri Goda Devi / Sri Andal

Sri Goda Devi has come to be known as Sri Andal. Lord was very much pleased with Her deep devotion and even preferred the garland already worn by her. Swami Desikan opines that Sri Vishnu Chittar became Periyalvar as he offered the garland to the Lord worn by Sri Goda Devi.

Sri Andal authored two Prabandhams. In her Tiruppavai which contains thirty pasurams, she converts herself as a cowherd and expresses her love to Lord Krishna and finally surrenders to Him. This Prabandha is considered to be ā€˜saranagatiā€™ Veda.

In her other Prabandham Nachiyar Tirumozhi, which contains 143 pasurams, she expresses her devotion to the Lord, particularly to Archavatara (idol form) ā€“ Srirangam, Tirumala, Azhagarkoil, Tirukudanthai, Tirukkanapuram, Madhura, Brindavan etc.

Tirumala Temple
Front View of Tirumala Temple

In one of the decads she reveals a dream that she had, wherein she is getting married to the Lord – called Varanamaayiram, which is chanted during every marriage function in Sri Vaishnavaite homes and Sri Vishnu temple even today.

As desired by her, Sri Periyalvar got married to Lord Sri Ranganathan of Srirangam. Sri Goda Nachiyar as she is called is enshrined in almost all Sri Vishnu temples and the Tiruvaadippooram festival is celebrated grandly. Tirukalyana Utsavam is performed for Sri Andal with the presiding deity on that day, with pomp and pleasure.

Srirangam Gopuram
Srirangam Gopurams

The Tiruvadipooram Utsavam in Sri Villiputtur is unique and fascinating

Srivilliputtur situated in South India is famous, for having shrines for Sri Vatapatrasayee and Sri Andal-Rangamannaar (two different temples side by side). This temple town has a reference in Sri Varaha Purana. It is also known as Varahakshetram, then Puduvai (as referred by Sri Periyalvar in his works) and Dhanvapuri etc. The temple boasts itself with a very big Gopuram.

The shrine of Sri Vatapatrasayee, the birth place of Sri Andal can be seen and worshipped. The Tiruvadipooram festival in Sri Villiputhur attracts thousands of devotees and is celebrated for about ten days. Sri Andal was grand in appearance because of different types of beautification.

The ā€˜alankaramsā€™ of the Lord keeping His head on the lap of Sri Andal are famous in the world. During the ā€˜utsavam,ā€™ on a particular day, five gods from nearby towns come to Srivilliputtur to join the festival in Garuda Vahana, when devotees throng there in thousands. The Rathotsavam is the most fascinating festival for which devotees come in thousands to witness and get the blessings of the divine couple Sri Andal and Sri Rangamannar.

Sri Andal blesses everyone with peace and prosperity who visits her. Andal is said to bless marital bliss between the couple and also grants quick marriage who aspire for it.

In Tirupati

In Tirupati, Sri Andal has a separate ā€˜sannidhiā€™ in Sri Govindaraja swami temple. Here also the Tiruvadipooram festival is celebrated with religious fervour. Grand Abhishekam to Sri Andal is performed. She was adorned with new silk ā€˜vastramsā€™. The sacred idols of Sri Govindarajaswami and Sri Andal are taken in procession round the temple. The festival concludes with Tiruppavai Sattumurai.

Sri MalyappaSwamy Decorated as Goda Devi
Sri Malyappa Swamy Decorated as Goda Devi

Final Word

Let us invoke the blessings of Sri Goda Devi on Her Tirunakshatram. Sri Andal’s Tiruvadipooram, utsavam will start on 29th July and end with Sattumurai on 7th August this year (2024).

Margasira Ekadasi

Mrigasira or Mrigasirsha or Margazhi or Margasira Ekadasi

Mrigasira or Mrigasirsha or Margazhi (Tamil) is a significant month among all other months. Margasira is also called as Dhanurmasa. The sun transits through the Dhanur Rashi and the period ends with the Makara Sankranti.

Hence it is called as Dhanurmasam / Marghasirsha / Margazhi. It is the most auspicious and the favorite month for Lord Vishnu. Sri Krishna says in Srimad Bhagavadgita: ā€œ Maasaanaam Margasirshah (10.35) i.e, I am Margashirsha month among the different months of the year.

  • The period when the sun starts moving northward from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer is called Uttarayana.
  • The opposite period when the sun moves southward is called Dakshinayana.

According to the Hindu Traditional Shastras, one human year represents one day for the celestials. Uttarayana is their daytime and Dakshinayana is the night.

And Dhanur / Margazhi Masa being the dawn of the day (Brahma Muhurtha) for the Gods, singing and chanting the glory of God is considered most auspicious and said to soon bestow the desires of the humans. Thus year of twelve months is the single Nychthemeron of the devatas.

The month ā€˜Margazhiā€™ has a unique and auspicious place, especially for the worship of Lord Vishnu. This month is considered the month of Bhakti and Saranagati.

Fasting

It is said in Padmapurana that, in the three worlds, there is no fasting which is even comparable to the Ekadasi fast. Anyone who fasts on Ekadasi day, with full devotion will be blessed by the Supreme Lord. The Padma Purana also speaks in detail about the Vratha undertaken on the Ekadasi day of each of the 12 months in the Hindu calendar.

On this Mrigasirsha Ekadasi day, one has to spend time in the thoughts of Lord Vishnu and recite stotras like Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama etc.

Dhanurmasa

Dhanurmasa is also called as Chaapamaasa, Kodanda maasa and shoonya maasa. This full month is reserved for deva puja only. We have to restrict other functions and celebrations in this month. This is because the Sun sets in Dhanurashi and it is not good to celebrate any personal events like marriages etc. That is why we must not perform any such functions in this month as this month is dedicated to Gods only and for it is a blank month, it is termed as ā€œShoonya maasaā€.

Katyayini Vratha, Dhanurmasa Vratas are observed by ladies during Dhanurmasa. It is believed that by observing the Dhanurmasa Vrata Goda Devi was blessed with Lord Vishnu as her husband. Hence it is believed that a lady who observes Dhanurmasa Vrata would be blessed. Srimadbhagavatham says that the Gopikas offered cooked rice with Moong dal during their Katyayani vrata.

Tiruppavai

During Dhanurmasa, tributes are paid to Bhudevi (Andal) through the recitation of Tiruppavai; a composition in Tamil. Sri Andal spent her youth pursuing her goal of realizing oneness with Sri MahaVishnu. She successfully achieved her union with Sri Maha Vishnu through Bhakti or devotion.

Tiruppavai is a poem of 30 verses composed by Sri Andal. Unlike the other days when Lord Vishnu starts his day with Suprabhatam, this month he opens his eyes listening to the Tiruppavai pasurams in Tirumala. Tiruppavai means Sri Vratam ā€“ Auspicious Ritual – A giver of all prosperity. This is performed in the month of Dhanurmasa.

Vaikunta Ekadasi (Utsavam) Inside Temple

Vaikuntha Ekadasi

According to the Hindu calendar, it is the month of Margashirsha which falls between mid-December and mid-January. Ekadasi that falls on Margashira shukla paksha is called ā€˜Vaikuntha Ekadasiā€™. It is believed that fasting on this day bestows our liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Hence one becomes a liberated soul. As per Hindu scriptures, diverting actions of the ten senses and mind from worldly objects towards Mahavishnu is the true sense of observing Ekadasi.

Ekadasi signifies control over oneā€™s senses (ten) & mind (one). One must not let vicious, unwanted thoughts of lust; anger, avarice, etc. enter the mind.

Vaikuntha is the spiritual abode of Lord Vishnu, where he resides with Mahalakshmi, His divine consort. The Vaikuntha Dwara (the gate to Vaikuntha) a special entrance on the northern side of the temple, is opened once in a year on this particular day. It is believed that anyone fasting on this day enters the temple through Vaikuntha Dwara and will attain Moksha/liberation.

On this day, Lord Vishnu opened the gate of Vaikuntham (Godā€™s Abode) for demons despite they were against Him. The demons then asked Lord Vishnu for a boon that whoever hears His story, and sees Lord Vishnu entering through the north door, will reach Vaikuntham too. Fasting on this holy day is considered to help one to be blessed with purity of mind, freedom, and peace. It keeps the negative vibes and thoughts at bay.

Vaikunta Ekadasi is the day when Vishnu took the form of his female energy called ā€˜Ekadasiā€™ to slay the demon Muran who ruled Chandravati during Kritayuga and tortured the Devatas. Lord Vishnu fought with demon and wanted to take a rest in a cave. The demon, upon entering the cave, planned to kill the sleeping Vishnu, but as he came closer, a young girl armed with many powerful weapons emerged from Vishnu and killed the demon.

When Lord Vishnu woke up; he was immensely pleased with the girl who destroyed the demon. He named the beautiful girl ā€˜Ekadasiā€™.

The Bhagavad Gita conversation between Krishna and Arjuna started on this day. So Gita Jayanti is celebrated on this day. Gita Jayanti is the day when Lord Krishna instructed Arjuna about the essence of spiritual knowledge. The most widely known literature of the world, Srimadbhagavadgita which means the song of the universe was also told to Arjuna on this day.

Sri Dattatreya Jayanti

Sri Dattatreya Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of this month. On this day, Lord Dattatreya regarded as an incarnation of the Trinity ā€” Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara was born to sage Atri and Anusuya: hence was named Atreya. Dattatreya Jayanti falls every year on the Purnima of the Margashirsha month.

The kick-start of music season also falls in the early Margashira itself. It is also the season of music and art. Classical music and bhajans are more prevalent during this period in temples and sabhas. The entire month is a feast for our ears.

Tiruppavai

What is Tiruppavai

Tiruppavai is writing describing the religious ritual (Vratam) undertaken by the spinsters (milkmaids) to get a good husband. This was rendered in 30 stanzas.

What is Pasura(Stanza)

In Tamil, a poem that is written in a classical style and lyrical tradition with utmost devotion is called a ā€˜Pasuraā€™ (Pausra = Stanza). In Tiruppavai, there is the word ā€˜pavaiā€™ at the end of each stanza, which means a religious ritual. Some say, it also means a song.

That is why, the title, Tiruppavai is quite befitting.

God himself as one’s spouse

ā€˜Tiruā€™ is a reverential expression. It is sung devotedly and respectfully in the Brahmi muhurt of Mrugasira month. It is a very strange wish to select God himself as one’s spouse.

Radha, Gopikas (milkmaids), Jayadeva, Annamaya, Meera Bai, etc., are devotees for such delightful wishes. Andal too acquires such a high place in that tradition.

Tiruppavai – 30 Stanzas in Total

ā€œTiruppavaiā€ has 30 divine songs. Each stanzaĀ has 8 lines.Ā Each of these thirty stanzas provides us with in-depth meaning, enlightenment, clarity, natural beauty, ornate vocabulary, etc.

Four Sections

Tiruppavai can be broadly divided into four sections.

  • Stanzas 1 to 5, dealing with an introduction to nature;
  • 6 to 15, dealing with the waking up of Gopikas;
  • 16-20 series of valourous episodes;
  • 21-30 total surrender to the lord.
  • The last ten stanzas depict more of the philosophy of surrender. stanzas 26, 27, and 29 have great significance; especially the 29th one delights us with the philosophy of Vaishnavism.

Some researchers feel that the foundations relating to Vaishnavism were incorporated in Tiruppavai.

To get a Good Husband

The girls go to each house to wake up other unmarried girls early for a holy bath and pray Lord to get a good husband. This practice is being done during winter and in the month of Margazhi.

Andal in love with Lord Krishna

From a young age, Andal fell in love with Lord Krishna. She imitated a Gopika of Vrindavan and was playing with Krishna always.

She disguised herself as Gopika and made her father Vishnuchitta (Perialwar)ā€™s house as yadava kingdom and made him the King of Yadavas. She made her friends as Gopikas of Vrindavan and celebrated utsavams like Vrindavan Gopikas.

The style, beauty, and music reveal the ancient practices and rich Indian culture. As part of her marriage with Sri Krishna, Andal got rid of unwanted desires. She led simple living, and expressed divine love towards the Lord.

The entire poetic writing is in the form of ā€œNayika Nayakaā€ bhava (emotion), showing the way to express spiritual feeling. This bhava made her attain Supreme Lord, which is highly appreciable.

Even today, Andalā€™s poetry is highly commendable in Tamil literature and she still lives in the hearts of true devotees.

*Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine

Dhanurmasam At Tirumala

Dhanurmasam

ā€˜Dhanurmasaā€™ is considered as highly auspicious for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. The beginning of Dhanurmasa is marked by the transit of the Sun into ā€˜Dhanur ā€™ rasi.

This is also called ā€˜Dhanus Sankramanaā€™. According to Sanatana Dharma, Devas wake up early in the morning during this month. They perform special prayers to Sri Maha Vishnu during the auspicious period of ā€˜Bramhi Muhurthaā€™, which is one and a half hours before sunrise.

Srikrishna in Bhagavad Gita says – ā€˜Maasaanaam Maarga Seershoham….ā€™ ā€“ ā€˜I manifest more in Margashirsha Masam among the different months of the year ā€™.

Worshipping Lord Vishnu on a single day during Dhanurmasa is equal to worshipping Vishnu with devotion for 1000 years. Special worship is conducted in all ancient Vishnu shrines throughout South India and some parts of North India.

The holy festival ā€˜Vaikunta Ekadasiā€™ is celebrated on an Ekadasi during the bright half of Dhanurmasam.

During Dhanurmasa Naivedyam, Jaggery Dosa, Mudgannam (venpongal), are offered to the Lord in Tirumala.

Importance and significance of Dhanurmasam

As per Hindu Scriptures, Dhakshinayana (the movement of the Sun towards the south) is the nighttime for Devas (demi-gods). Dhanurmasa is the last month of Dhakshinayana. Gods wake up in the early morning (Dhanurmasa) Brahma Muhurtha- about one and half hours before the Sunrise- and offer special prayers to the Lord.

Pujas offered to the Lord even on a single day during Dhanurmasa is very auspicious. Dhanurmasa is also called Margali masam.

Sri Krishna has declared that ā€œMaasaanaam maargaseershohamā€ in Srimad Bhagavat Gita- “I manifest more in the month of Maargaseersham (dhanurmasa) among the different months of the yearā€. So Dhanurmasa gets importance. Further Andal (Goda Devi) performed Paavi Nombu- a vrata to get the Lord as her consort in this month.

In fact, her Tiruppavai prabandham describes her Vrata during Dhanurmasa in full detail. Some even call Dhanurmasa Tiruppavai month (During Dhanurmasam, lectures on Tiruppavai are arranged at many places all over South India). Dhanurmasa is said to be the most sacred one for observing worship, vratas and spiritual activities to obtain salvation.

Worship of Lord Srinivasa – Dhanurmasam

Naivedyam

During the Dhanurmasa Naivedyam, special food offerings like Jaggery Dosa, Mudgannam (Katte Pongali), Sundal, and Seera are offered every day to Lord Srinivasa.

Food Offerings or Naivedyam, Tirumala

Goda Kalyanam

The holy month of Dhanurmasa concludes with the Bhogi festival on the 30th day and the Goda Kalyanam ritual is performed in Tirupati Sri Govindaraja Swami temple Andal Sannidhi.

Also, flower garlands from Sri Andal Sannidhi are sent to Tirumala and are adorned on the Dhruva Beram of Srivaru, during Madhyamika Aradhana.

Those who worship Lord Vishnu in this holyĀ month of Dhanurmasa will be conferred with theĀ choicest blessings of Lord Srinivasa and by his eternal grace, devotees are blessed with health, wealth, peace and prosperity in this world and attain Vishnu Loka prapti at the end of their lives.

Vaikunta Ekadasi

During the Dhanurmasam, Margasira Sukla Ekadasi, or Vaikunta Ekadashi is celebrated with religious fervour.

On the Vaikunta Dwadasi, the Sacred Chakrathalwar is taken in procession to the Temple tank called Swami Pushkarini for a Holy bath-Tirumanjanam. This is performed commemorating Swami Pushkarini Theertha Mukkoti. (But at present due to COVID-19, these rituals are done in the temple only).

Swami Pushkarini - During Dhanurmasam

It is believed that on this Dwadasi day, all the Holy theerthas on earth congregate in Swami Pushkarini. Hence, devotees take a bath in Swami Pushkarini after the Chakra Snanam, to wash off their sins. It is said that after bathing in the Pushkarini, if one offers charity to the poor, he will be blessed by the Lord.

Adhyayanotsavam

The annual Adhyayanotsavam celebrations are observed for 23 days during Dhanurmasam. ā€˜Adhyayanaā€™ in Sanskrit means practice and is synonymous with repetition, or recitation of any subject matter.

TTD during Dhanurmasam

Apart from making all arrangements for the smooth running of rituals, TTD takes pride in propagating Tiruppavai. Last year upanyasams (lectures) were given in Pedda Jeeyar Mutt during Dhanurmasam.

Those who worship with devotion during Dhanurmasam will get the choicest Blessings of the Lord obtaining peace and prosperity in the life after.

Namo Sri Venkatesaya