Srivari Brahmotsavam

"Brahmotsavam" redirects here. For the upcoming film, see Brahmotsavam (film). For other uses, see Vairamudi Brahmotsava.

Srivari Brahmotsavams శ్రీవారి బ్రహ్మొత్సవములు
Lord Venkateswara on Gaja Vahanam during Brahmotsavams
Official name	Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams
Also called	Tirumala Brahmotsavams, Tirupati Brahmotsavams
Observed by	Hindus
Celebrations	Malayappa(processional deity) of Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala will be taken on different vahanams during morning and evening on 9 day festival on four mada streets encircling the shrine. The vahanams will be led by Brahmaratham, devotees performing cultural dances and music, Archakas chanting sacred hymns, Elephant, horse march-fast etc.
Observances	Devotees will gather along the four mada streets of the Temple to witness the Procession of the Lord. Will chant, praise and pray Lord Venkateswara
2015 date	16 September - 24 September 14 October - 22 October
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala

Sri Venkateswara Swami vari Brahmotsavam or Srivari Brahmotsavam is the most important annual fête 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 Āśvina which falls in between the English months september and october.^[1]

During the festival, the 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(Madaveedulu) 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.^[2]

Legend

The Brahmotsavam is one of the most important and auspicious festivals in Tirupati. Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati. Brahma worshiped Venkateswara on the banks of the holy Swami Pushkarini in Tirupati as a way to give thanks for the Lord’s protection of mankind. Hence, this utsava bears his name as “Brahmotsavam,” which means “Brahma’s Utsavam.” In Tirumala, Brahmotsavam is celebrated during month of Aswayuja (according to the Salivahana calendar) beginning near the end of September or in early October.

Celebration

The Brahmotsava is performed over a nine-day period in the beginning of Āśvina 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 “Dwajarohana,” the hoisting of the Garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. This signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsava. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam and invites the Devas to attend the function. During the days of the festival, the religious activities include daily homas and processions of utsava-murti on different Vahanas on mada streets(roads surrounding the Temple). Every evening, the utsava-murtis are decorated with different alankarams. 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 “Dhvajavarohanam,” 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.

Dwajaarohanam

Dwajaarohanam is a flag-hoisting festival that is held on the first day by hoisting a flag (Garudadhwaja) with a picture of Garuda (vehicle of Lord Maha Vishnu) on the top of the Dwajah Sthambham in front of the sanctum sanctorum. It is said to be a symbolic significance of formal invitation to all the deities to attend the Brahmotsavam festival. After Dwajarohanam, The Chief Minister, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh symbolically offers new silk clothes to the Lord as a mark of obeisance and thanks giving to the Lord of the Universe in a procession. This was earlier done on 5th day (Garuda Vahana) but due to heavy rush of devotees and for CM security reasons, it has been changed to Dwajarohanam day.Before any thing else happens the god will get out the sanctum sanctorum along with priests then a pooja will be conducted and then the priests and head priest will climb the on top of the dwajasthamba and will decorate it. The priests will decorate it with tulus and will do a pooja to garuda the they will tie with ropes + the dwaja sthambam. The jeeyangas will be there. Temple priests will be there along with the head priest. The gods will be there and pandits will be chanting a series of vedas and the Garuda Dwaja will be raised.They chant vedas and say many slokas many priests will be there. This is one of thee most important days of the utsavam. Thus the Brahmaotsavam has begun!

Pedda Sesha Vahanam

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

Chinna Sesha Vahanam

On the second day morning the Lord is taken out in a procession on Vaasuki (Serpent God) as his vehicle. In Bhagavath Geetha Lord Sri Krishna says He is Vaasuki 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.

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 Bhagavath 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 concerts 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.

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 (Garukmantha) 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 Srivilliputhur Andal temple. These garlands were adorned to Andal before sending it to Tirupati. These traditional garlands are made of tulsi, sevanthi and sampangi flowers. ^[3] Every year Tirupati Venkateswara’s garland is sent to Srivilliputtur Andal Temple for marriage festival of Andal.^[4]

Hanumantha Vahanam

On the sixth day morning the Lord is taken out in procession with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle.^[5] 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 Swarnarathotsavam and then in procession on Elephant (Gaja) or Airavatham 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 SrimanNarayana (Chaksho! Suryo Ajayathah!). 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 as "Chandrama Manaso Jaathaha" (Moon is born from the mind 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.

Rathostavam

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 Rathostavam 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.NAMO NARAYANAYA

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 Brahmostavam, special abhishekam (Avabhrutha Snanam) is held for utsava moorthy of Lord Venkateswara and his concerts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in the complex of Lord Varaha Swamy temple on the banks of Swamy Pushkarini. Later, the Sudarshana Chakra (Disc weapon of the Lord) is immersed in the waters of Swamy Pushkarini. We find large number of devotes simultaneously taking a dip in the Pushkarini waters at that time. It is believed and said 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 Brahmostavam.The jeeyangas will be there along with priests. They will chant various mantras. It is performed in the dwajastamba mandapa. The priests will then lower the garuda dwaja and the festival will soon be completed.

Vahanams

DAY	MORNING	EVENING
FIRST		Pedda Sesha Vahanam
SECOND	Chinna Sesha Vahanam	Hamsa Vahanam
THIRD	Simha Vahanam	Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam
FOURTH	Kalpavriksha Vahanam	Sarvabhoopala Vahanam
FIFTH	Mohini Avatharam	Garuda Vahanam
SIXTH	Hanumantha Vahanam	Swarnarathotsavam & Gajavahanam
SEVENTH	"'suryaprabha vahanam"'	"'chandraprabha vahanam"'
EIGHTH	Rathotsavam	Ashwa Vahanam
NINTH	Chakra Snanam

References

↑ "8th Day of Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavam-Aswa Vahanam on Oct 12". Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams News. 12 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014.
↑ "Brahmotsavam: Why is Brahmotsavam Celebrated". Ygoy. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014.
↑ http://news.tirumala.org/andal-mala-presented-to-lord-venkateswara-in-tirumala/
↑ http://www.srivilliputtur.co.in/srivilliputtur_andal_temple.html
↑ "Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavam - Hanumantha Vahanam". Indian New Times 24X7. 10 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014.

Sources

External links

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