Table of Contents
ToggleVasanthotsav
In the afternoon of the sixth day, a festival of spring is celebrated to Malayappa Swamy with Sridevi and Bhudevi in the Raganayaka Mandapa of the temple.
In the evening of the same day, Malayappa swamy mounts the golden chariot with Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Lord Venkateswara with his consorts, parading the holy streets of Tirumala in a golden chariot, presents a feast to the eyes of his devotees, emitting a splendid sheen while the sun scatters his crimson rays at dusk.
No Unjal Seva on day of Golden Chariot procession
On the day of Hanuman as the Car, the daily utsava (uyyalaseva) in the evening will not be held. The festival of the golden chariot celebrated after the spring festival is known as ‘Suvarna Ratha Ranga Dolotsava.’
During this festival, people in the society of the kalyana katta decorate the golden umbrella on the chariot.
Suvarna Ratha Ranga Dolotsava.
Devotees can participate in this on payment of prescribed fees.
Every year there will be annual Vasantotsavas in Tirumala temple for 3 day ending on Chaitra Purnima.
On Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi morning Sri Malayappa Swami along with his consorts comes to the Vasantha Mantapam on the south east corner of the temple.
There will be vasantotsava abhishekas, nivedana and asthana for them and returns to the temple.
- On the second day after Bangaru Rathotsava (Golden Chariot procession), there will be a similar vasantotsava again.
- On the third day, Rukmini and Sri Krishna, Sri Sita, Rama and Lakshamana in different palanquins reach the vasantha Mantapa besides Sri Malayappa Swami in procession and return to the temple the same evening after the festivities.
With tons of flowers
Throughout the ‘utsavam’ on all days, the entire temple, the Mada Veedhis, the Vahana Mandapam, and the Swamy Pushkarini are decorated with tons of flowers and festive lights. The lighting almost transforms night into day the ‘vahanas’ in the night appear much more radiant and dazzling in the dark. Every day the Lord listens to the chanting of the Vedas and Dravida Vedas (Divya Prabhandas) with Tirumalai Kelviappan Pedda Jeeyar and Chinna Jeeyar Swamies at the forefront leading the scholars.
Eminent musicians are brought to play ‘nadhaswaram’, clarinet, drums, and devotees sing and dance in large groups before the Lord expressing their joy. The procession with the Brahma Radham in the front comprises of decked-up elephants, horses, and oxen.
Many groups of devotees register with the TTD to participate in the ‘Srivari Seva’ activities in various capacities. With boundless enthusiasm and devotion, they dance, sing, and chant the holy names of the Lord in his presence. Huge quantities of divine 'prasadams' are offered to the Lord and distributed to the devotees.
The quantities of food items prepared at the Free Annadanam Complex are truly gigantic which is appropriate considering that the Lord of the Seven Hills was described as ‘Ulagam unda peruvayan’ by Nammalwar. Ancient, priceless exotic jewelry and many new additions like diamond crowns are worn by the Lord during the ‘utsavam’.