TIRUMALA, Oct 3 : The twin pilgrim centres of Tirumala and Tirupati are caught in devotional fervour as they spruce up to host the grand nine-day annual brahmotsavams in Tirumala which is set to commence from October 4 onwards.
“Brahmotsavams”, the nine-day spiritual annual event of the Universal Lord Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala is considered to be one of the most colourful festivals observed in the country with utmost pomp and gaiety witnessed by millions of Srivari devotees across the globe.
As the name itself denotes this colourful fete is strongly believed to have been introduced by none other than the creator Lord Sri Brahma Himself in a “Thanks Giving” gesture to Lord Venkateswara, for saving the world from all evils in Kaliyuga.
On the other hand in Sanskrit, “Brahma” means “Nine”. So Brahmotsavams is a nine-day festival performed every year with the Sun transiting Kanya Rasi in the month of Aswayuja and concludes on Sravana star, which is the birth star of Lord Venkateswara.
In the famous religious text “Venkatachala Mahatyam” penned by the saint poetess Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba, she described, the Dhwajarohanam is performed in the star of Chitta with which the nine-day fete commences while in the star of Uttarashada, Rathotsavam (wooden chariot) is performed and the mega fete concludes with Chakrasnanam in the star of Sravana.
The series of events lined up during the annual brahmotsavams which concludes on October 12 are ? Ankurarpanam (OCTOBER 3) ; Dhwajarohanam: (OCTOBER 4); VAHANA SEVAS –among these vahanams Lord Malayappa is flanked by His two consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on Pedda Sesha, Mutyapu Pandiri, Sarvabhupala, Kalpavruksha, Swarna Ratham, Rathotsavam and Bangaru Tiruchi.
He goes all alone on Chinnasesha, Simha, Mohini, Garuda, Hanumantha, Suryaprabha, Chandraprabha, Aswa vahanams.
Garuda Vahanam: (OCTOBER 8, 6:3OPM TO 11PM), the fifth day evening Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in a grand procession on a specially decorated, mighty golden Garuda vehicle-His most favourite vehicle usually witnessed by tens of thousands of devotees.
Chakra Snanam: (OCTOBER 12, 6AM To 9AM), on the ninth morning, the last day of the Brahmostavam, special abhishekam (Avabhruda Snanam) will be held to Sri Malayappa Swmay and His consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on the banks of Swamy Pushkarini located opposite Varahaswami temple along with Sudarshana Chakra (Disc weapon of the Lord).
Later the anthropomorphic form of the Lord is immersed in the sacred waters of Swamy Pushkarini.
Dwajaavarohanam: (OCTOBER 12, 8.30PM To 10PM), on the last evening, the Garuda flag will be lowered as a mark of the successful completion of the Brahmostavam. It is performed in the Dhwajastamba mandapa amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns and thanking the deities of all the worlds.
Besides these Vahana Sevas, on the second, third and fourth days, Snapana Tirumanjanam is performed to the utsava deities in Ranganayakula Mandapam between 1 PM and 3 PM in a spectacular manner. (UNI)
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