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TogglePedda Sesha vahanam
On the night after Dhwajarohana, a festival is held with Malayappaswamy on the big seven–hooded golden seshavahana.
The first ‘Vahana kainkaryam’ is the special privilege of Adisesha the foremost among the servants of the Lord. The Lord on the Pedda Sesha Vahanam (Sevenheaded Sesha) gives us a demonstration of the ‘Sesha-Seshi’ bhavam.
Lord Sriman Narayana is the sovereign Almighty and all the Jivas are servants of the Lord. Self-realization is essentially the awareness of our ‘Seshatwa’ and the desire to serve the master at all times, states and places is the result of this realization.
Nammalwar’s verse sums up this precisely. Adisesha sets an example by transforming himself to serve the Lord as an Umbrella when the Lord moves, a ‘Throne’ when the Lord is seated, as his ‘Padukas’ when the master walks, as a delightful soft luxurious ‘Bed’ when he reclines.
The gems in his thousand heads light up the chamber and Sesha becomes a silky spread and cushion to the divine couple. In the ‘avataras’ as Rama, Krishna He incarnated with the Lord as Lakshmana and Balarama following him like a shadow serving Him in all capacities.
In the Pedda Sesha Vahanam, Malayappa Swami rides with His two consorts to bless all devotees.
“The lord of the serpents, Adisesha, who with a fearsome form, bears to eternity the massive weight of the globe with its
- forests galore,
- the trees,
- the oceans,
- the hills,
- lakes full of water, rivers,
- with his thousand hoods,
- who dispels sins and
- who acts as a bed for Lord Vishnu,
- who sleeps on the Milky Ocean, acts as a car [vahana] on the first night of Brahmotsavas.
According to the Visishtadwaita tradition, God is seshi [the savior] and the others are the ones who are saved.
The Lord preaches this concept of Sesha-seshi, riding in procession on the Seshavahana.
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’.
Snapana Tirumanjanam
Every year during Brahmotsavam, a special Snapana Tirumanjanam will be held at Ranganayakula Mandapam in Tirumala. The processional deities of Sri Malayappa Swami along with Goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi will be seated on a special platform and were offered the sacred bath with aromatic ingredients.
As part of this, some special decorations to match the occasion will stood as a special attraction every year. Apart from decorating the stage, colourful flowers, orchids, fruits, creepers, the garlands that were offered to Sri Malayappa Swami remained unique. The garlands made of Finger Millet (Ragi Mala), Green Pavitras and Coral malas which have also made their maiden way in Snapana Tirumanjanam in addition to Cardomom, Cuscus, Grapes, Tulasi garlands etc.
It is not only the Desi cereals, fruits, flowers, spices that sanctify their lives in the divine service, but also the apples, Grapes, Pears, Mangoes and Cherries that sailed all their way travelling thousands of kilometres from their homelands to bliss their lives in the service of Universal Lord, Sri Venkateswara.
