Brahmotsavam Festival, an event celebrated every year at the Swami Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The festival attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over India and the world. Let’s know everything related to this –
There is hardly any religious centre in India that worships its deities like Tirumala. Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh is considered to be the largest pilgrimage site in the world, attracting more devotees than Mecca. Lord Venkateswara, known by many names like ‘Venkata Raman‘ and ‘Balaji‘, is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the god of wealth. The entire abode of the deity is spread over seven hills and is accessible via a climbing road that circles the area.
The Venkateswara temple complex, where Brahmotsavam is celebrated, is administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), an entity controlled by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The chief officer of TTD is appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The revenue received from this temple is used by the Andhra Pradesh government.
Table of Content
- What is Brahmotsavam Festival?
- When does the Brahma Utsav Festival start in Tirumala-Tirupati?
- Where is Brahmotsava primarily celebrated?
- Legend Behind the Srivari Brahmotsavam and its Significance
- Activities during the 10 Days of Srivari Brahmotsava
- Characters associated with the Brahmotsavam Festival
- How is Brahmotsavam Festival celebrated?
What is Brahmotsavam Festival?
The word Brahmotsavam is a combination of the Sanskrit words Brahma and utsavam (festival). The “Brahmotsavam” festival is also called “Sri Venkateswara Vari Brahmotsavam” or “Srivari Brahmotsavam” or “Salakatla Brahmotsavam” or “Brahma Utsavam” or “Lord Brahma’s Festival“. It is an important annual festival celebrated with full devotion at the Sri Venkateswara Temple. This grand nine-day festival is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. He is the presiding deity of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vari Temple in Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. During the annual function of Brahmotsava, millions of devotees from all over the world visit Tirumala to witness the festival and seek blessings of Lord Venkateswara.
When does the Brahma Utsav Festival start in Tirumala-Tirupati?
“Srivari Brahmotsavam” is celebrated in the month of Ashwin as per Hindu calendar (Bharatiya Panchangam) starting from Ashwayuja Shuddha Padyami (Ashwin Shukla Pratipada) to Ashwayuja Shuddha Dashami (Ashwin Shukla Dashami or ‘Dussehra’ or ‘Vijayadashmi’) when the Sun enters Virgo, which usually falls in the month of September-October in the Gregorian calendar. Ashwayuja Masam, also known as Ashvin, is the seventh month of the Hindu calendar. It is a time for autumnal festivals and celebrations.
Where is Brahmotsavam primarily celebrated?
While Brahmotsavam is celebrated in various temples across India, the most famous and largest-scale celebration takes place at the ‘Tirumala Venkateswara Temple’. The place is also known as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha and the deity here is called ‘Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam‘. Other famous names of this hindu temple are Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirumala Temple, and Tirupati Temple. Venkateswara is also known by several other names: Balaji, Govinda and Srinivasa. Tirupati Balaji Temple is one of the most popular religious places in India, especially in South India.
Legend Behind the Srivari Brahmotsavam and its Significance
According to the Puranas, Lord Venkateswara appeared before Brahma and other sages on the auspicious day of ‘Shravan Nakshatra’ in the 28th Yuga. To mark the occasion, Lord Brahma organised a great festival and prayed to the Lord to stay in Venkatadri. Pleased with Brahma’s devotion, the Lord agreed to stay in Venkatadri till the end of ‘Sweta Varaha Kalpa’, on the condition that the festival would be celebrated every year without interruption. Since then, the festival has been celebrated in the name of Brahma.
Brahmotsavam is a purification ceremony celebrated in the honour of Lord Brahma, and the festival at Tirumala is the largest. It is also believed that Brahma worshipped Venkateswara at the Brahmotsavam festival of Tirumala.
Activities during the 10 days of Srivari Brahmotsavam
The main activities carried out during Srivari occasion are
- Aalaya Shuddhi
- Mritsangrahanam
- Dwajarohanam
- Vahana Seva
- Srivari Koluvu
- Snapanam
- Churna-Abhishekam
- Chakrasnanam
- Devatodwasanam
- Dhwaj-Avarohanam
Aalaya Suddhi – Before the Brahmotsavam begins, the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara is cleaned as per the rituals prescribed in religious scriptures. The temple area and its surrounding premises are decorated with flowers, mango leaves, and festoons. This entire process is called Aalaya Shuddhi and Alankaram (decoration).
Mritsangrahanam – Mritsangrahanam means the process of collecting soil. Mritsangrahan is performed a day before the first day of Brahmotsava. The main officials associated with Bharmavostham worship deities like Vishwaksen, Ananta, Sudarshan and Garuda. They also pray to Mother Earth and collect a small amount of soil after taking permission from her. Now the Ankur-arpanam ritual is performed, in which the collected soil is spread in a room and nine types of grains are sown in it.
Dwajarohanam and Devta-Aavahanam – ‘Dhwajarohana’ marks the beginning of Brahmotsavam. ‘Dhwajarohanam’ means hoisting the flag (here it means Garuda flag). This event is performed at the Dhvajasthambha Mandapam near Nadimi Padi Kavali inside the temple premises. The temple officials hoist the Garuda flag (flag with the image of Garuda) accompanied by chanting of Vedic mantras by the temple priests. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam to invite Gods like Brahma, Indra, Yama, Agni, Kubera and Vayudeva and sages like Vasistha and Vishwamitra.
‘Devta-Aavahanam’ means invocation to the gods.
Vahana Seva – There are different vehicles to carry the Lord’s procession through the streets of Tirumala. Each vehicle has its own significance and message.
Srivari Koluvu – After taking the Lord in procession, a court is held in the main temple. During this time, the priest of the temple offers Naivedhyam (offerings to the Lord).
Snapanam – The process of bathing the Lord with herbal water after the procession is called ‘Snapanam’ or ‘Utsavananthar Snapanam’. According to popular belief, this relieves the Lord from the stress caused during the procession.
Choornabhishekam – Choorn-Abhishekam involves bathing the Lord and his consorts after anointing them with sandalwood powder. This ceremony is performed on the morning of the ninth day of Brahmotsava before the Lord is taken in procession through the streets of Tirumala. The temple priests distribute the sandalwood powder used for the anointing of the Lord among the devotees. It is believed that this powder removes all obstacles in a person’s life.
Chakrasnanam – On the morning of the last day of Brahmotsavam, the Lord, his consorts and the Shri Sudarshan Chakram are bathed in the Swami Pushkarini Lake. Devotees can also take a dip in the Swami Pushkarini Lake with the Sri Sudarshan Chakram. This ritual transcends religion, caste or creed. Swami Pushkarini Lake is located in the Sri Venkateswara Temple complex. It is believed that God Maha Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi bathed here after descending to earth. It is also believed that Swami Pushkarini Lake was created by Lord Maha Vishnu’s vehicle Garuda. Devotees take a dip in this holy lake to wash away their sins.
Devatodwasanam – On the last day of Brahmotsavam, the ritual of sending off the sages and gods to their respective worlds is called Devatodvasnam. This is done after the daily archana. The priests and officials of the temple praise and honour Lord Brahma for the successful organisation of the festival.
Dwajavarohanam – On the evening of the last day of the Brahmotsavam, the ‘Dhwaj Avarohanam’ or flag lowering ceremony (the flag, which was hoisted on the first day of the Brahmotsavam) is done.
Characters associated with the Brahmotsavam Festival
Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy
It is the Utsav-Murti (Idol for Procession Festival) of Lord Venkateswara.
Chinna Sesha Vahanam
Represents the five-hooded Vasuki. During the Brahmotsavam festival, the deity Lord Sri Malayappa Swami is carried on the Chinna Sesha Vahanam in a procession around the temple.
Pedda Sesha Vahanam
Represents the seven-hooded Adishesha, the king of snakes. Adi Sesha’ is the thousand-headed serpent on which Lord Sri Mahavishnu rests in his abode Vaikuntham.
During the Brahmotsavam festival, the Goddess is carried on the Pedda Sesha Vahanam in a procession. Some pilgrims believe that seeing the Goddess on the procession of the serpent vahanam will bring salvation and no rebirth.
Unjal Seva
Unjal Seva literally means swinging the deities in Unjal (cradle) and making them sit in the swing. The festival idols are carried in palanquins and are seated on golden unjal (cradles) and swings.
How is Brahmotsava Festival celebrated?
Brahmotsavam celebrations include processions, cultural performances and rituals, among many other types of events. The processions include music, chanting, dance and devotees. This festival is celebrated according to the beliefs of Vaishnava sect. South Indian people wait for this festival the whole year.
Based on the duration, the event is classified into three categories: Satvik (nine days), Rajas (seven days) and Tamas (five days). Brahmotsavam celebrations are held for a period of nine days. The rituals take place for a period of nine days.
First Day – ‘Dhwajarohan’ and ‘Pedda Sesha Vahanam’
On the first day of Brahmotsavam, a flag hoisting ceremony is held by hoisting the Garuda Dhwaja (flag with the emblem of a Black Garuda) near the Srivari Aalaya Dhwajasthambam. From 22:00 hrs to midnight, a grand procession of Lord Venkateswara on Pedda Sesha Vahana is carried out in the four streets of the main temple. Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara, is considered to be a form of Adisesha. Hence, during the first two days, the Lord is taken around the streets of Tirumala on two Sesha Vahanas (Pedda Sesha Vahana and Chinna Sesha Vahana).
Second Day – ‘Chinna Sesha Vahanam’ and ‘Hamsa Vahanam’
On the second day of Brahmotsavam, Lord Malayappa is taken for procession on Chinna Sesha Vahanam in the morning, while at night the deities are taken to Uyala Mandapam for Unjal Seva. This is followed by a procession on the Hamsa Vahana in the streets of Tirumala. It is said that the Hamsa or the swan is a symbol of purity, which can differentiate between good and evil due to its high intellectual capacity. One meaning of swan is pure. It represents the victory of good over evil. For these reasons, Lord Brahma uses the swan as his vehicle.
Third Day – ‘Simhavahana’ and ‘Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam’
On the morning of the third day of Brahmotsavam, the deities are taken on a Simhavahana. ‘Simha’ (lion) is a symbol of royalty and abundant power. According to the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord is the lion among animals (Mriganamacha Mrigandroham). The Lord took the form of Narasimha (half man and half lion) to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu. So, Lord Venkateswara uses a lion as his vehicle on the third day of Brahmotsavam.
In the night, after the Unjal Seva, the deities are taken on a Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam, a vehicle which is decorated with pearl canopy. Mutyam (pearl) is a symbol of purity and grandeur.
Fourth Day – ‘Kalpavriksha Vahanam’ and ‘Sarva Bhoopal Vahan’
On the fourth day of Brahmotsavam, the deities are taken on the Kalpavriksha Vahanam in the morning. Kalpavriksha is a tree that fulfils wishes. A large number of devotees come to ask for their wishes.
After Unjal Seva at night, the deities are taken on the ‘Sarva Bhupal vehicle’. Sarva Bhupal means ‘all kings’. In Sanatan Hindu Dharma, Lord Vishnu is considered the protector. Just as Lord Maha Vishnu is the protector of the earth, similarly kings should also always protect and nurture their subjects.
Fifth Day – ‘Mohini Avatar’ and ‘Garuda Seva’
The fifth day of Brahmotsavam is the day of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Mohini avatar. The Lord is dressed and adorned like Mohini, and is taken in procession in a palanquin. The help given by Lord Vishnu to the gods during Sagar Manthan is remembered on this day.
According to legend, the Gods and Demons made a joint effort to obtain Amrit (nectar which when consumed grants immortality) through Samudra Manthan. After this successful effort, there was a conflict between the two sides at the time of distribution of Amrit. The Lord then assumed the ‘Mohini avatar’ (the form of an extremely beautiful woman) who captivated everyone. The Lord’s Mohini form distributed Amrit among the Gods by confusing the demons with her beauty. Therefore, this day is celebrated as Mohini avatar.
After the Unjal Seva at night, Lord Venkateswara and his wives are taken out in procession on the Garuda Vahana. The Lord is specially decorated with Mahakanthi, Sahasranama Mala, etc. According to ancient Hindu scriptures, Garuda is the king of birds and the manifestation of the Vedas, while Lord Maha Vishnu is the god of the Vedas. Thus, the Lord appears in Garuda. ‘Garuda Vahana’ is the most important and greatest of all vehicles. In the Vishnu Purana, Garuda is also called ‘Periya Thiruvadi‘, which means ‘the first devotee of the Lord’. Therefore, Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Maha Vishnu, is worshipped as the supreme. A large number of pilgrims visit the Tirupati temple on this day to witness the Garuda Seva.
Sixth Day – ‘Hanumad Vahana’ and ‘Gaja Vahana’
On the sixth day of Brahmotsavam, the deities are taken on Hanuman Vahana in the morning. Lord Hanuman is the guest on this day. Pilgrims consider themselves blessed to have darshan of the Lord seated on Hanuman Vahana on this day. Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Sri Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu).
Unjal Seva is not performed on the sixth day. Instead, Vasantotsava (Spring Festival) is celebrated.
At night the Lord is taken on Gaja Vahana. This incident reminds one of the Gajendra Moksha Katha of Maha-Bhagavata Purana, according to which an elephant trapped in the clutches of a crocodile called out to the Lord. Then the Lord came and saved the stubborn elephant from the crocodile.
Seventh Day – ‘Suryaprabha Vahana’ and ‘Chandraprabha Vahana’
On the morning of the seventh day of the festival, the Lord mounts on the Suryaprabha Vahana (Golden Sun chariot). According to mythological beliefs, the Sun God is considered to be a form of God Maha Vishnu. Another name for the Sun is Surya Narayana.
After the Unjal Seva at night, the Lord is taken around the moonlit streets of Tirumala in the Chandraprabha Vahana (moon-shaped vehicle). The Moon is the master of the mind. Chandra, the King of Medicine, is believed to give happiness and coolness.
It is believed that the Lord feels happy while riding in the Chandraprabha Vahana.
Eighth Day – ‘Rathotsavam’ and ‘Ashva Vahana’
On the eighth day of the festival, called ‘Rathotsavam’, the festival idol of the deity is slowly pulled through the streets with a golden chariot procession. It is believed that the person who visits the Rathotsavam, breaks the bondage of samsara and rebirth and attains salvation. On this day, idols of Daruk (Lord Shri Krishna’s charioteer) and four horses (Saibayam, Sugreeva, Megha-Pushpam and Valahakam) are placed in front of the decorated idols of the Lord and his wives. This symbolizes that the charioteer of the Lord is driving the chariot. Devotees pull the chariot while chanting Govinda. The name Govinda is a symbol of energy and power. The glory of this form of Lord Krishna is worth seeing.
After Unjal Seva at night, the deities are taken in an Ashwa (horse) vehicle. Horses were one of the four parts (chariot, elephant, horse and pada) of the military forces in ancient times. Ashwam is a symbol of energy, which means ‘one who runs fast’. Lord Venkateswara travels on a horse when he goes for Paruveta.
Ninth (Last) Day – ‘Pallaki Seva’, ‘Chakra Snanam Mahotsav’ and ‘Dwajavarohanam’
On the last day of Srivari Brahmotsavam, Pallaki Seva Utsav and Chakrasnanam Mahotsav are celebrated in the morning and Dhwaj-Avarohanam is celebrated in the evening. The idols in the procession are anointed with oil, turmeric and other auspicious materials and consecrated. The Sudarshana Chakram is bathed in the Swami Pushkarini Lake. The Garuda Dhwaja is taken down, which means the festival is over.
Over 450 festivals are celebrated in Tirumala throughout the year, but the annual Brahmotsavam stands out for its grandeur, attracting thousands of pilgrims.
The distinctive feature of the Brahmotsavam festival is the daily Vahana Seva, in which the processional deity of Sri Malayappa Swamy in various attires rides on various Vahanams on the Mada streets, blessing the devotees. Enthusiastic cultural troupes from across the country perform in this divine festival. Pilgrims consider themselves fortunate and delighted to witness these events.
Apart from the South Indian states, artists from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh also come to Tirumala to render their services in the Vahana Sevam of the annual Brahmotsavam in Tirupati.
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