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TogglePushpa Yagam to Lord Venkateswara
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams conducts a Yagam with flowers and it is called 'Pushpa Yagam'. Lord Venkateswara with Goddess Sridevi and Goddess Bhudevi in Tirumala offered umpteen variety of flowers in reverence during this event.
This ceremony is performed after the annual Brahmotsavam on the asterism of Sravanam which also happens to be the birth star of Lord Venkateswara.
Yagam or Yajna
Yagam or Yajna is a religious ritual performed to obtain the benediction of the Gods. The Agni (fire god) is lit with prayers. The ahutis (offerings) are poured to illuminate the fire while chanting holy mantras from the scriptures.
It is believed that Lord Agni carries these submissions to the Gods who in turn will bless mankind with prosperity, health, wealth, and peace in the universe.
Pushpa Yagam - Yagam with Flowers
Every year after Brahmotsavas, there will be pushpa yagam for Sri Malayappa swami along with his consorts on the day of Shravana star in Karthika Masa.
On the day of Pushpa Yagam, after the usual two archanas and two nivedanas, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi arrive at the Lord’s Kalyana Mantapa. Homas, Snapana Tirumanjana are conducted.
Fresh Flowers Used are
All flowers used for this festival should be fresh and fragrant. ‘Vimanarchana kalpa’ describes the flowers to be used for Pushpayagam:
- Jaji,
- Champaka,
- Vakula,
- Padma,
- Dvikarni,
- Attasi,
- Ketaki,
- Mallika,
- Mandara,
- Karavira etc.
flowers are being offered to the Deities.
Aswamedha Yaga
According to the Agamas, performing Pushpayagam is equal to performing an Aswamedha Yaga, conferring good progeny, riches, peace and finally moksha.
Dry Flower Technology
The TTD management conceived the project of reusing tons of flower garlands used in all its temples daily and during festivals and special occasions in making Agarbattis (Incense sticks) instead of throwing them into the pushpapubavi (well) inside the temples’ premises.
All the used flowers and garlands are now transported by the TTD garden department to Sri Venkateswara Goshala Agarbatti Production Centre where trained personnel categorize the flowers and mechanically dry and transform the residue into powder.
Thereafter the powder is mixed with other ingredients and water into a paste which is then produced as Agarbatti sticks. Later they are dried in machines for 15-16 hours and soaked in aromatic liquid again in another machine. After another round of drying, they are packed in machines for the final product-the divine aromatic Agarbattis.
The TTD is also coming out with a project to make photos, paperweights, key chains of the Lord with used dried flowers.
Archana for Twenty Times
Later the same evening, there will be Archana with different varieties of flowers. As soon as these flowers reach the level of the Lord’s heart, they are removed and pushaarchana recurs.
The archana will be carried out like this for twenty times.
Harathi will be offered on a grand scale at the end.
The paid devotes can also participate in this Yaga. It is said that the participants in the seva will be divested of all the impressions of their past lives and all the diseases, thus leaving scope for a peaceful life with prosperity and happiness.
