Every year millions of devotees gather at the temple of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala to take part in the festivities. It allows all devotees to receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swami and experience “Vaikuntha Anubhava” or heavenly enjoyment and feeling.
Brahmotsavam is a grand festival celebrated in various Hindu temples, particularly in South India, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (an incarnation of Vishnu). The term "Brahmotsavam" means "a grand celebration" and is believed to have been initiated by Lord Brahma himself to honor the deity.
Brahmotsavam is a grand festival celebrated in various Hindu temples, particularly in South India, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (an incarnation of Vishnu). The term "Brahmotsavam" means "a grand celebration" and is believed to have been initiated by Lord Brahma himself to honor the deity.
The idol of Lord Venkateshwara is taken out for processions on different vehicles on different days. The black idol of Lord Balaji is decorated with gold ornaments and precious stones to make the procession more attracting. The festival attracts pilgrims from all parts of the country and even from abroad.
Key Elements of Brahmotsavam:
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Duration:
- The festival typically lasts for nine days, although some temples may observe it for longer or shorter periods.
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Rituals and Ceremonies:
- Dwajarohanam: The festival begins with the hoisting of the temple flag (Dwaja) atop the Dhwaja Stambham (flagpole). This is a symbolic invitation to all gods and deities to participate in the festival.
- Daily Processions: The main deity of the temple is taken out in a grand procession every day, often in a different vahana (vehicle) like Garuda, Hanuman, or a chariot. These processions are accompanied by music, chanting, and the presence of thousands of devotees.
- Special Pujas: Elaborate pujas (prayers) and yagnas (sacrificial rituals) are performed throughout the festival. Priests chant Vedic hymns, and offerings are made to the deity.
- Homa: A fire ritual, often performed to invoke blessings for the well-being of all devotees.
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Garuda Seva:
- On the fifth day, the Garuda Seva is one of the most significant events. The deity is taken out on a procession on a vehicle representing Garuda, the eagle vehicle of Vishnu. This attracts a large number of devotees.
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Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival):
- On the seventh or eighth day, the deity is placed on a huge chariot and pulled around the temple premises. This is a major attraction and involves the participation of thousands of devotees.
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Chakrasnanam:
- The festival concludes with the Chakrasnanam, where the sacred disc (Sudarsana Chakra) and the idols are given a holy bath, signifying purification.
Day 1 or Dhwajarohana
On the first day of the festivities or Dhwajarohana, the flag is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. The flag has an emblem of a black Garuda. It is on this day that a marvelous procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Pedda Seshavahana is taken around the four streets of the main temple at ten in the night and continues till midnight. The Lord is taken on a vehicle called Seshavahana during the first two days of the festival.
Day 2 or Chinna Seshavahana
In the morning of the second day, the Lord is taken out on the Chinna Seshavahana while in the night the deities are taken to Uyala Mandapam for the Unjal Seva. This is then followed by a procession on the Hamsavahana. Hamsa or swan which symbolizes purity is said to have the capability of distinguishing between the good and the bad.
Day 3 or Simvahana
The day is called Simvahana symbolizing strength and power. Simha means lion and according to Gita the Lord is the simha of all animals. On the third day, the Lord is therefore carried on Simvahana. In the night, the deities are carried on Mutayalapandiri Vahana which has a pearl covering, a symbol of purity and royalty.
Day 4 or Kalpavriksha Vahana
On the fourth day, the deities take a ride on Kalpavriksha Vahana in the morning. Kalpavriksha is a tree that grants boons and satisfies the wishes of the devotees. After Unjal Seva in the night, the deities are carried on Sarvabhoopala Vahana.
Day 5 or Garuda Vahana
The fifth day of Brahmotsav is very unique. It is celebrated to commemorate the Lord's incarnation as Mohini. The legend goes that Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini or a beautiful girl to give Amrit to the Devatas. On the night after Unjal Seva, the Lord is carried on Garuda Vahana and decorated with Mahaakanti, Sahasranaramala. According to ancient Hindu texts, Garuda is the king of birds, a replica of the Vedas while Lord Vishnu is the God of Vedas. Thus, the Lord visualizes Himself as Garuda. Garuda vahana is the most important and greatest of all the vahanas and many pilgrims visit Tirupati on this day.
Day 6 or Gaja Vahana
On the morning of the sixth day, the deities are carried on Hanumad Vahana. Hanuman is the guest of this day. The pilgrims feel that they are blessed if they can catch a glimpse of the Lord on Hanumad Vahana. On this day, instead of Unjal Seva, Vasantotsavam, or the spring festival is celebrated. During the night the Lord sits on Gaja Vahana which is a symbol of wealth. It is also attributed to the elephant in Gajendramoksham the story from the Mahabhaghavatam, where the elephant was saved from a crocodile by Lord Vishnu.
Day 7 or Suryaprabha Vahana
On this day, the Lord is mounted on Suryaprabha Vahana, or the sun chariot. Surya or the sun is the other form of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu is the center of the universe and to symbolize this Lord Vishnu uses Suryaprabha Vahana. The Lord is taken out on Chandraprabha Vahana at night after Unjal Seva. Devotees believe that it gives the Lord a soothing experience when he travels on Chandraprabha Vahana.
Day 8 or Rathotsavam
On this day the Lord travels on a chariot or ratham. People believe that those who witness this day will not be reborn. The idols of Daruka, the charioteer of Lord Krishna, and the four horses are placed before the deities. The devotees pull the chariot chanting Govinda!Govinda! The Lord and his consorts are taken in an Aswa (horse) Vahana after Unjal Seva in the night symbolizing energy and power.
Day 9 or Chakrasnana Mahotsavam
Pallaki Seva and Chakrasnana Mahotsavam are in the morning and Dhwajavarohanam is performed in the evening on the last day of Brahmotsavam. Abhisekham is performed on this day by applying oil and turmeric powder on the idols. The Garuda flag which was hoisted on the first day is lowered on the last day.
On the first day of the festivities or Dhwajarohana, the flag is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. The flag has an emblem of a black Garuda. It is on this day that a marvelous procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Pedda Seshavahana is taken around the four streets of the main temple at ten in the night and continues till midnight. The Lord is taken on a vehicle called Seshavahana during the first two days of the festival.
Day 2 or Chinna Seshavahana
In the morning of the second day, the Lord is taken out on the Chinna Seshavahana while in the night the deities are taken to Uyala Mandapam for the Unjal Seva. This is then followed by a procession on the Hamsavahana. Hamsa or swan which symbolizes purity is said to have the capability of distinguishing between the good and the bad.
Day 3 or Simvahana
The day is called Simvahana symbolizing strength and power. Simha means lion and according to Gita the Lord is the simha of all animals. On the third day, the Lord is therefore carried on Simvahana. In the night, the deities are carried on Mutayalapandiri Vahana which has a pearl covering, a symbol of purity and royalty.
Day 4 or Kalpavriksha Vahana
On the fourth day, the deities take a ride on Kalpavriksha Vahana in the morning. Kalpavriksha is a tree that grants boons and satisfies the wishes of the devotees. After Unjal Seva in the night, the deities are carried on Sarvabhoopala Vahana.
Day 5 or Garuda Vahana
The fifth day of Brahmotsav is very unique. It is celebrated to commemorate the Lord's incarnation as Mohini. The legend goes that Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini or a beautiful girl to give Amrit to the Devatas. On the night after Unjal Seva, the Lord is carried on Garuda Vahana and decorated with Mahaakanti, Sahasranaramala. According to ancient Hindu texts, Garuda is the king of birds, a replica of the Vedas while Lord Vishnu is the God of Vedas. Thus, the Lord visualizes Himself as Garuda. Garuda vahana is the most important and greatest of all the vahanas and many pilgrims visit Tirupati on this day.
Day 6 or Gaja Vahana
On the morning of the sixth day, the deities are carried on Hanumad Vahana. Hanuman is the guest of this day. The pilgrims feel that they are blessed if they can catch a glimpse of the Lord on Hanumad Vahana. On this day, instead of Unjal Seva, Vasantotsavam, or the spring festival is celebrated. During the night the Lord sits on Gaja Vahana which is a symbol of wealth. It is also attributed to the elephant in Gajendramoksham the story from the Mahabhaghavatam, where the elephant was saved from a crocodile by Lord Vishnu.
Day 7 or Suryaprabha Vahana
On this day, the Lord is mounted on Suryaprabha Vahana, or the sun chariot. Surya or the sun is the other form of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu is the center of the universe and to symbolize this Lord Vishnu uses Suryaprabha Vahana. The Lord is taken out on Chandraprabha Vahana at night after Unjal Seva. Devotees believe that it gives the Lord a soothing experience when he travels on Chandraprabha Vahana.
Day 8 or Rathotsavam
On this day the Lord travels on a chariot or ratham. People believe that those who witness this day will not be reborn. The idols of Daruka, the charioteer of Lord Krishna, and the four horses are placed before the deities. The devotees pull the chariot chanting Govinda!Govinda! The Lord and his consorts are taken in an Aswa (horse) Vahana after Unjal Seva in the night symbolizing energy and power.
Day 9 or Chakrasnana Mahotsavam
Pallaki Seva and Chakrasnana Mahotsavam are in the morning and Dhwajavarohanam is performed in the evening on the last day of Brahmotsavam. Abhisekham is performed on this day by applying oil and turmeric powder on the idols. The Garuda flag which was hoisted on the first day is lowered on the last day.
Cultural Significance:
Brahmotsavam is not just a religious event but a cultural spectacle, showcasing traditional music, dance, and art forms. It is a time of community gathering, devotion, and celebration, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Hindu traditions.
Famous Temples for Brahmotsavam:
- Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati: The most famous Brahmotsavam is celebrated here, drawing millions of devotees from all over the world.
- Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu: Another major temple known for its elaborate Brahmotsavam.
- Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Tamil Nadu: Known for its grandeur and traditions during the festival.
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