Table of Contents
ToggleHanumantha Vahanam - The Car of Hanuman
On the sixth day of Brahmotsavas, making Hanuman his Car, Lord Venkateswara alone goes in procession and reveals himself to his devotees as though to make a point that he is no other than Srirama of Thretayuga.
The Lord assumes the form of Lord Kodanda Rama to ride on Lord Hanuman – the ‘Siriya Thiruvadi’. His devotion to the Lord is the message to us.
This ‘vahanam’ has a special significance at Tirumala as Lord Anjaneya’s mother Anjana Devi did penance on this Hill and one of the seven peaks is named Anjanadri in her memory.
The ‘vahana seva’ reminds us that Lord Sriman Narayana who incarnated as Lord Rama in the Treta Yugam, as Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga has appeared as Lord Venkateswara in the Kali Yuga.
Lord Vishnu - Sri Rama in Tretayuga, Venkateswara in Kaliyuga
Kritetu Narasimhobhut Tretayam Raghunandanah
Dwapare Vasudevascha Kalau Venkatanayakah
Narasimha Swamy in Krita Yuga, Srirama in Tretayuga, Srikrishna in Dwapara and Venkateswara in Kaliyuga are one and the same.
All are incarnations of lord Vishnu. That’s why he makes people wake him up every day with songs in the name of Sri Rama as part of the service to him at dawn.
Kausalya supraja Rama purva sandhya pravartate
Uttistha narasardula kartavyam daivamahnikam
“I have incarnated myself as Sri Rama in Tretayuga, Venkateswara in Kaliyuga only for doing well to the world. Today I appear to you as Rama of Venkatadri only to remind you of this, riding on Hanuman, my unrivaled devotee.
Hanuman is a symbol of the devotee as a servant
He presents an ideal. So, my dear devotee, you fulfill your desires, serving Lord Venkateswra, like Hanuman by becoming exceptional devotees. Fulfill your wishes” is the message of the Lord.
Tallapaka Annamacharya praises Hanuman’s glory thus …..
He is no other than He, the Lord and the Servant, too;
The illimitable Rama and the incomparable Hanuman
A vengeful Rama crossed the ocean, bridging it
But casually did Hanuman cross it
In anger, Rama crushed Ravana’s pride
While Hanuman punished Myravana.
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’.
