Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Srivari Brahmotsavam

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Srivari Brahmotsavam

Sri Venkateswara Swami Vari Brahmotsavam or Srivari Brahmotsavam is the most important annual festival celebrated at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala-Tirupati of Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh, India. The event is conducted for nine days during Hindu Calendar month of Asvina, falls in between the English months September and October. During the festival, Utsava-Murti (processional deity) of the presiding deity Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, will be taken on a procession on different Vahanams on the streets (Mada Veedhis) surrounding the temple. The celebration attracts pilgrims and tourists from all parts of India and across the world. A Brahmotsavam is a holy cleansing ceremony in honor of Lord Brahma, and the one at Tirumala is by far the largest.

Etymology

The word Brahmotsavam is a combination of two Sanskrit words Brahma and Utsavam. In one context, it is said that Lord Brahma first performed this festival and hence Brahmotsavam is referred to as Festival celebrated by Brahma, where Brahma refers to Lord Brahma and Utsavam means Festival. In other context, the word Brahma refers to Grand or Huge and hence referred to Grand Festival. Srivari Brahmotsavams is also called by other names Venkateswara Salakatla Brahmotsavams, Venkateswara Navaratri Brahmotsavams.

Legends

As per the legend it is believed that Lord Brahma will descend to the earth to conduct this festival and hence the festival got the name Brahmotsavams, meaning an Utsavam (festival) performed by Brahma. Sri Venkateswara Sahasranama Stotra has references to Brahma performing the festival. To resemble this even now the is a small empty wooden chariot known as Brahmaratham will move ahead of the processions of the Sri Venkateshwara’s processional deity Malayappa.

History

The first evidential reference about conducting festivals in Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala can be traced back to 966 CE, when Pallava queen Samavai had made endowments and ordered to use the revenues generated from that land to be used for the celebration of major festivals in the temple. As per inscriptions, until 1582 CE, Brahmotsavams were conducted as many as 12 times a year.

Celebrations

The Brahmotsavam is performed over a nine-day period in the beginning of Asvina Masa as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar (in parallel with Navarathri / Dasara festival). On the evening before the start of the first day, the rite of "Ankurarpana" (sowing of the seeds to signify fertility, prosperity and abundance) is performed along with a festival for Vishvaksena (the leader of Narayana’s retinue who removes obstacles and protects worship). On the first day, the main activity is the "Dhwajarohana," the hoisting of the Garuda flag at the Dhwajastambha. This signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsavam.

It is believed that Garuda goes to Devaloka and invites the Devas to attend the function. During the days of the festival, the religious activities include daily homas and processions of utsavamurti on different Vahanas on Mada streets (roads surrounding the Temple). Every evening, the utsavamurtis are decorated with different Alankaras. The concluding day is the Janma Nakshatra (birth star) of Sri Venkateswara, which is celebrated in a grand way with Avabhritha Utsava (special Abhishekams for the Utsava Murti). In Tirupati, the Sudarshana Chakra is bathed in the Swami Pushkarini and all the devotees bathe along with the Chakra.

In Aurora, a priest takes the Sudarshana Chakra on his head and takes a holy bath in Swami Pushkarini. Afterwards, the Chakra is placed on a high platform, so the devotees can walk under it and be blessed with the water dripping down from the Sudarsana. The celebration officially concludes with "Dhwajavarohana," the lowering of the Garuda flag. The priests pay respects to Gods and Sages with the chanting of Vedic mantras and see them off on their return to the Devaloka.

Dhwajarohana:

Dhwajarohana is a flag-hoisting festival that is held on the first day by hoisting a flag (dhwajapatam) with a picture of Garuda (Mount of Vishnu) on the top of the Dwajasthambam of the Temple. The flag will be hoisted amid Vedic chanting. It is believed to be a symbolic significance of formal invitation to all the deities to attend the Brahmotsavam festival. Before Flag-hoisting the processional deities of the Temple, Malayappa by his consorts Sridevi, Bhudevi, will be taken in a procession along with Dhwajapatam and Parivara Devathas such as Anantha, Chakra, Garuda and Vishvaksena. After Dhwajarohana, The Chief Minister of Government of Andhra Pradesh symbolically offers new silk clothes to the Lord as a custom.

Pedda Sesha Vahanam:

After the Dhwajarohana the Lord is taken out in a procession in the evening on Aadi Sesha the thousand headed Chief Serpent God as his vehicle. Adisesha is the seat on which Lord Vishnu rests in his abode Sri Vaikunta. Tirumala hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Lord Adisesha. Pedda Adisesha vahanam will be seven headed.

Chinna Sesha Vahanam:

On the second day morning the Lord is taken out in a procession on Vasuki (Serpent God) as his vehicle. In Bhagavat Geetha, Lord Sri Krishna says he is Vasuki among the serpents. Chinna Sesha Vahanam will be five headed.

Hamsa Vahanam:

On the second day evening the Lord is again taken out in a procession on Hamsa (Swan) as his vehicle. Hamsa or swan means ‘pure’. Hamsa is believed to have a high intellectual capability and can distinguish good from bad. He is decorated as Saraswathi goddess of knowledge.

Simha Vahanam:

On the third day morning the Lord is taken out in a procession on Lion symbol as his vehicle. Lion is a symbol of royalty and power. Lord assumed the form of half man and half lion in his Narasimha Avathara. Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavat Geetha that he is the Lion among the animals.

Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam:

On the evening of the third day, the Lord is again taken out in procession along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in a palanquin decorated with a canopy of pearls. Pearl is said to be a symbol of purity and royalty.

Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam:

On the fourth day of the festival the Lord is taken out in procession in the morning on Kalpa Vruksha as his vehicle signifying that he is the giver of boons to his devotees and fulfills their wishes.

Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam:

On the fourth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession on a vehicle called as Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam signifying that He is the Lord of Lords.

Mohini Avatharam:

On the fifth day morning the Lord is taken out in procession decorated in the attire of Mohini Avatharam (Ksheera Sagara Madhanam) the one who has distributed the Divine Nectar. All Vahanas will start from vahana mandapa which is outside the main temple, but Mohini Avatharam starts directly from the temple in dantha Pallaki (palanquin) along with lord Krishna idol in another palanquin.

Garuda Vahanam:

On the fifth day evening the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession specially decorated, with his main devotee and chief vehicle Garuda, the king of birds as his vehicle. It is a unique occasion when thousands gather together and would like to witness the procession. It is believed and said that it is highly meritorious and mukthi pradham to have darshan of the Lord seated on Garuda, the vahana of lord Vishnu.

During Garuda vahanam, Venkateswara will be decorated by garlands sent from Srivilliputtur Andal Temple. These garlands were adorned to Andal before sending it to Tirupati. These traditional garlands are made of Tulsi, Sevvanthi and Sampangi flowers. Every year Tirupati Venkateswara’s garland is sent to Srivilliputtur Andal Temple for marriage festival of Andal.

Hanumantha Vahanam:

On the sixth day morning the Lord is taken out in procession with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle. Hanuman was the personification of the most trusted and self-less service to the Lord in his Avathara as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga. Undoubtedly Lord Hanuman was the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama.

Swarna Rathotsavam / Gaja Vahanam:

On the sixth day evening the Lord is taken out first for Swarna Rathotsavam and then in procession on Elephant (Gaja) or Airavatam as his vehicle. We find in Sri Madbhagavatham (Gajendra Moksham) Lord instantly coming to the rescue of Gajendra and get him relieved from the clutches of the Crocodile.

Surya Prabha Vahanam:

On the seventh day morning the Lord Venkateswara is taken out in procession with Sun God driving the Chariot. Purusha Sooktha describes Sun as born from the eyes of Lord Vishnu. Sun is said to be an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu (Surya Narayana).

Chandra Prabha Vahanam:

On the seventh day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Moon as symbol of his vehicle. Purusha Sooktha describes Moon is born from the mind of Lord Maha Vishnu. Moon is the commander of mind and is a symbol of cool and pleasantness. Both these rituals are symbolic significance that he is the cause for day and night.

Rathotsavam:

On the penultimate day (eighth day) morning the Lord Venkateswara is taken out in procession along with his consorts seated on a fully decorated Chariot pulled by the devotees with the chanting of Govinda Nama Smarana. Tirumala will be flooded with devotes to witness this occasion. It is believed and said that those who witness the Lord seated on the Chariot during Rathotsavam will not be reborn. Idols of Daruka, the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna and four horses are placed before the Lord on the chariot. one should be blessed to witness this at Tirumala.

Ashwa Vahanam:

On the eighth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Aswa (Horse) as his vehicle symbolizing the forthcoming Kalki Avathara. Lord Venkateswara used to ride on a horse during hunting of wild animals. Lord assumed the form of Horse head during his Avathara as Hayagreeva.

Chakra Snanam:

On the ninth day morning, last day of the Brahmotsavams, special Abhishekam known as Avabhrutha Snanam is held for processional deity Malayappa and his concerts Sridevi and Bhudevi along with Sudarshana Chakra (Disc weapon of Vishnu) at Varaha Swamy temple on the banks of Swamy Pushkarini. Later, the Sudarshana Chakra is immersed in the waters of Swamy Pushkarini. Large number of devotees will take a dip in the water of Pushkarini simultaneously. It is believed that one will get absolved from sins by taking a dip in Swamy Pushkarini simultaneously along with the Sudarshana Chakra on this day.

Dwajaavarohanam:

On the ninth day evening the Garuda flag will be lowered as a mark of completion of the Brahmotsavam. The jeeyangars will be there along with priests. They will chant various mantras. It is performed in the Dwajasthamba mandapa. The priests will then lower the garuda dwaja and the festival will soon be completed.

Two Brahmotsavam in Adhika Maas Year:

When there is Adhika Masa (extra Month) in the Lunar Calendar, 2 Brahmotsavam will be held viz., Salakatla Annual Brahmotsavam & Navarathri Brahmotsavam. Both Brahmotsavam will be held for 9 days. In 2015, 2018 there was/is Adhika Maas, hence 2 Brahmotsavam were/will be held. There are few differences between the 2 Brahmotsavam. During Salakatla Brahmotsavam, there will Flag hoisting Dhwajarohana on 1st day, whereas no Flag Hoisting (Dhwajarohana) during Navratri Brahmotsavam, only Golden Tirucchi Vahanam on 1^st day of Navratri Brahmotsavam.

During Salakatla Brahmotsavam Golden Chariot (Swarna Rathotsavam) will be held on 6^th Day evening, whereas during Navratri Brahmotsavam, Pushpaka Vimanam Seva will be held on 6^th Day Evening. In Salakatla Brahmotsavam, Rathotsavam (Big Chariot) will be held on 8^th Day morning, whereas during Navratri Brahmotsavam, Golden Chariot (Swarna Rathotsavam) will be held on 8^th day Morning. In Salakatla Brahmotsavam, there will be Flag unhoisting (Dhwajavarohana) on 9^th day evening - whereas in Navaratri Brahmotsavam there will be no Flag unhoisting (since No Flag was hoisted), Instead Lord Venkateshwara will bless in Golden Tirucchi Vahanam.