SALAKATLA BRAHMOTSAVAMS – A SPECTACULAR GRAND GALA OF HILL LORD
CURTAIN RAISER
SALAKATLA BRAHMOTSAVAMS – A SPECTACULAR GRAND GALA OF HILL LORD
Tirumala, 29 Sep. 19: The Salakatla (annual) Navahnika (Nine-day) Brahmotsavams of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Supreme Hill Lord of Tirumala, is all set to commence from Monday (September 30). During these nine days, the processional deity of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, popularly revered as “Sri Malayappa Swamy” takes ride on different carriers along the four-mada streets encircling the shrine.
According to Sri Venugopala Deekshitulu, one of the Chief Priests of Tirumala temple, the Brahmotsavam festival was a premiere event organised in Tirumala by TTD not only for welfare of the entire humanity but also to give devotees a glimpse of the divine glory of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
ANKURARPANAM (SEPTEMBER 29)
As a prelude to the annual brahmotsavams, the ritual of Ankurarpanam will be held on September 29 the evening. Different varieties of grains are sown in different mud pots at Yagashala, signalling the kick-start of the event.
DWAJAROHANAM (SEPTEMBER 30)
The sacred flag with the image of Garuda-the King of Aves is unfurled in the evening on September 30. This fete signifies invitation to the deities of all the worlds to take part in the annual fete of the Lord of Lords.
PEDDASESHA VAHANAM (SEPTEMBER 30)
The first Vahanam of the Festival the Pedda Sesha Vahanam, where Sri Malayappa Swamy rides on seven-hooded serpent king believed to be Adisesha, along the Mada streets flanked by His consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi on His either sides. Darshan of Lord Pedda Sesha Vahanam leads to Dhyana Yoga.
CHINNASESHA VAHANAM (MORNING OF OCTOBER 1)
The second vahana seva of the Brahmotsavams is the Chinna shesha vahanam. This vahanam is symbolic with Vasuki, the five hooded serpent king and avowed to beget boons of Kundalini yoga shiddha phalam.
HAMSA VAHANAM – (EVENING OF OCTORBER 1)
On the second day evening of annual Brahmotsavams, Lord in the guise of Saraswathi Devi-the Goddess of Wisdom rides on the carrier of Hamsa – the swan, which is depicted in legends as a true icon of justice and peace. The vahanam provides Gnana Siddhi to devotees.
SIMHA VAHANAM – (MORNING OF OCTOBER 2)
On Day 3, Lord rides on Simha vahanam showcasing strength and power of his divine existence. The devotees would attain true solace with devotion with the darshan of Lord in this avatar. This is a depiction of Yoga Siddhi.
MUTHYAPU PANDIRI VAHANAM – (EVENING OF OCTOBER 2)
On the night of Day-3, Lord rides on a palanquin of pearls, which are often considered as symbol of peace and tranquillity. This provides devotees Sayatma Siddhi.
KALPAVRUKSHA VAHANAM- (MORNING OF OCTOBER 3)
The Kalpavruksha vahanam on day four, is one of the highlights of the festival as Lord is belived to bestow all the boons sought by the devotees as divine Tree Kalpavriksha is considered to be a boon giver. Devotees will be blessed with Karya Siddhi.
SARVA BHOOPALA VAHANAM- (EVENING OF OCTOBER 3)
The Sarva Bhopala vahanam epitomizes the universal supremacy of Lord Venkateswara. The powerful deities of the galaxy – the Asta Dikpalakas functions as per the directions of Lord. Devotees will beget Vijayaprapti.
MOHINI AVATARAM– (MORNING OF OCTOBER 4)
On Fifth Day morning of the annual Brahmotsavams, Lord adorns Mohini avatar, extolling virtues of beauty and charm in society. This avatar depicted that Lord helped the devotees to break the chasm of Maya (evil) in this world. Devotees to come out of the bondage of Maya-the myth.
GARUDA VAHANAM – (EVENING OF OCTOBER 4)
Garuda Vahanam is the hallmark of all the events of the Brahmotsavam wherein the Lord rides on His favourite carrier, Garuda vahanam. Devotees in lakhs thronged the Tirumala hills on that night to get a glimpse of Lord. Depicts Mukthiprapti.
HANUMANTHA VAHANAM- (MORNING OF OCTOBER 5)
On Day-6, Lord blesses His devotees in Sri Rama avatar, while riding on His favourite disciple Hanumantha. Lords darshan in this avatar is expected to yield philosophical satisfaction to devotees. Sharanagata Prapatti.
GOLDEN CHARIOT – (EVENING OF OCTOBER 6)
In between the Morning and Evening Vahanams, the processional deity of Sri Malayappa Swamy was taken out in a procession on the Swarnaratham. The grandeur of the ratham and the procession is a cynosure to the devotees.
GAJA VAHANAM – (EVENING OF OCTOBER 6)
On the night of Day-6, Lord rides on divine elephant vahanam, symbolizing the majesty, riches etc. The devotees will have a royal darshan of Lord.
SURYA PRABHA VAHANAM (MORNING OF OCTOBER 6)
On Day -7 of Brahmotsavam, Lord rides on Surya Prabha vahanam as Surya Naryana Murthy. Arogya Siddhi to devotees.
CHANDRA PRABHA VAHANAM (EVENING OF OCTOBER 6)
On the Seventh Day evening, Lord rides on Chandra vahanam displaying peace, tranquility as premiere mediums of achieving devotion and well being in society.
RATHOTSAVAM –(MORNING OF OCTOBER 7)
In the morning of the penultimate day of Srivari Brahmotsavams, Rathotsavam is conducted along the four-mada streets. This provides a unique opportunity to the devotees to pull the vahanam.
ASWA VAHANAM -(EVENING OF OCTOBER 7)
This is the final vahana seva as part of the annual Brahmotsavams at Tirumala, when the Lord rides on Ashwa vahanam. According to Krishna Yajur Veda, Horse stood for control of all body elements and Lord displayed his identity as Kalki Avatar protecting the good from evil forces.
CHAKRASNANAM – (MORNING OF OCTOBER 8)
On the morning of the eighth day of the Brahmotsavams, the anthropomorphic form of Lord, Sri Sudarshana Chakrathalvar along with Sri Malayappa Swamy – Sridevi and Bhudevi were given final abhisekam and will be taken to Swamy Pushkarini for holy bath before they returned to Ananda Nilayam. Thousands of devotees line up at the Swami Pushkarini to beget the blessings of the Lord and also bathe in the holy waters after the celestial bathing. This event is performed after the Pallaki and Thiruchi utsavams conducted in the Srivari temple in the early hours.
DWAJA AVAROHANAM – (EVENING OF OCTOBER 8)
This marks the grand conclusion of the annual Brahmotsavams in Tirumala. The unfurling and lowering of Garuda Dhwajapatham takes place as per Agama symbolizing the successful conduct of the nine-day mega religious event at Tirumala.
ISSUED BY TTDs PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI