SWAMI PUSHKARINI READIED FOR CHAKRASNANAM

Tirumala, 21 October 2015: As the Navaratri Brahmotsavam grinds to halt , all is set for the crescendo event of Chakrasnanam at the Swami Pushkarini tomorrow, October 22nd, for the presiding deities which have been paraded through out the nine days for devotees sake.

Swami Pushkarini Teertham is one of the several holy teerthams in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. Located next to on the north eastern side of the Srivari Temple Swami Pushkarini was originally in Vaikuntam and legends say that it was brought to earth by Garuda, for the sport of Lord Venkateswara.

It is believed that bathing inthe Swami Pushkarini during the Brahmotsavam along with the moment of bathing of Chakrathalawar on the day of chakrasnanam is equivalent to bathing in the holy River Ganges.. It is one of the religiously significant 7 thirthams on Tirumala among the 108 other thirthams found in the forest belt of Tirumala. The wooden-float festival of Lord Sri Venkateswara(Teppotsavam)in the month of February/March and Avabhrudhasnanam or Chakrasnanam during Brahmotsavam takes place in the Swami Pushkarini .

The Swami Pushkarani the natural spring fresh Water Lake located on the northern side of the Srivari temple is one of the seven holy thirthas on the Tirumala hill range.As part of the rejuvenation of the ancient tradition the Puskarani is also offered harathi puja every day preferably in the evenings.

The Pushkarini spread over one and half acres has a mandapam in the middle built by the Saluva King Narasimha Raya in 1468. Later the saint-poet Tallapaka Annamacharya was instrumental in constructing steps to the lake ‘mid ‘ mandapam. New filters and state of the art drains were installed in the Pushkarini in 1972. Every year the existing water in the Pushkarini is drained at regular intervals and refilled with fresh water that emerged from its springs. he water in the Swami Pushkarini has a state-of-the-art recycling facility and water is treated before it gets into lake and recycled continuously.

The water of this lake is considered holy and sacred and fit for performing rituals at the Srivari Temple and on par with that of water of the holy river of Ganges. ‘Swami Pushkarini is significant component of the legend of Srivari temple at Tirumala and also resplendent of the hoary mythology’ says Agama adviser of TTD Sri Sundara Varada Bhattacharya..A bath in the Swami Pushkarini is believed to clean pilgrims of their sins and bestow temporal prosperity -purifies one’s body and soul.

Legends have it that the Swami Pushkarini was a pleasure lake of Sri Maha Vishnu in heaven (Vaikuntham),and was brought and set on Earth by Garuda, for the use of Lord Venkateswara.The pushkarini also has another legend that kings regained their lost kingdoms and power after bathing in this lake.The childless Dasharatha chakravarti also could beget Maha Vishnu (Rama) after bathing in the Swami Pushkarini.

The harathi or puja of the Swami pushkarani has its roots of 12th century and also practiced from the days of Srikrishna devaraya of Vijayanagara has once again been relaunched since 2009 Since time immemorial the waters of the tank were strictly for temple purposes only – like for the God’s “bath” that is a ritual/worship, cleaning and washing the temples insides and outsides, for use inside the temples for drinking purposes temple kitchens.

‘It is only in recognition of its mythological significance and its inherent divinity that the pushkarini is worshipped with harathi every day in the evening’ says Sri A V Ramana Dikshitulu, one of the three chief priests of the Srivari Temple.