The divine name, “Venkateswara” means the Supreme Lord who removes sins, and blesses us with Nectar, Energy, Prosperity & Wealth. Lord Venkateswara is considered as the “Kali-Yuga Varada”, that is ‘the boon-granting Lord of “KaliYuga”. It is believed that Lord Sri Venkateswara enjoys Utsavams-(according to scriptures the Lord is “Utsava Priya” (fond of festivals)) the most important and significant fete celebrated annually is the Brahmotsavam. It is said that people, who has the good fortune of seeing the divine appearance of Lord Srinivasa even for a moment, attains salvation. It is believed that by having darshanam of the Lord, one gets instantly energized by the deity, and receives blessings. The darshan of swami or a ritual is said to positively invoke the insight that can be life changing.
Can obtain blessings However, in the Brahmotsavams this year, because of the prevailing Covid pandemic situation, devotees can visualise the Lord through the live telecast of SVBC channel. Sacred utsavams/ rituals, even by watching indirectly also give us happiness and also invigorate our subtle body with mental strength and momentum. The dictum ‘Aathmaanam Vidhadhi’ (get to know the soul) can be achieved even through sincere indirect darshan of the Lord. Leading us to achieve logical thinking and understanding the underlying science and deeper meaning of festivals, sincere participation in these even remotely will help all to obtain the blessings of the Lord and a joyous atmosphere. Adhikamaasam Srivari Brahmotsavams is also known as Saalakatla Brahmotsavams and Navaratri Brahmotsavams. Whenever there is an occurrence of Adhikamaasam (inter calary month in the lunar calendar), it is a tradition at Tirumala temple to hold Brahmotsavam festival twice in that year. First one is called Saalakatla Brahmotsavam (Annual Brahmotsavam). The Second, called Navarathri Brahmotsavam, is held again for nine days during Navarathri. Difference between the two... Whenever two Brahmotsavams are held, the significant feature is that only once the Dhwajarohanaavarohana rituals are held - that is, during the first one. While the Saalakatla includes an event called Rathotsavam, there are a few more differences between the two Brahmotsavams. During Salakatla Brahmotsavam, Golden Chariot (Swarna Rathotsavam) will be held, whereas during Navaratri Brahmotsavams, Pushpa Pallaki-chariot Vimana Seva will be held.
Brahmotsavam starts with... One day before the commencement of Brahmotsavam, rituals named Ankurarpana and Senadhipathi Utsavams are performed. Ankurarpana literally means making a beginning or making a sankalpa.
PROCESSIONAL UTSAVAMS GRANTING DIVINE DARSHAN: A brief description of the processions that take place in Tirumala are given below for the readers of 'TirumalaHills' in a glance -
Embellished Vahanams
The Puranam gives the details of all the vahanams in an elaborate manner - about the palanquin that men carry, SeshaVahanam, (the seven hooded Sesha), Hamsavahanam, (Swan), SimhaVahanam (Lion), MutyalaPallaki (palanquin decorated by rows of pearls), Kalpavruksham (the wish yielding tree), Mohini alamkaram (decoration like Mohini avataram, Garuda Vahanam (Garuda, the mighty divine eagle), HanumadVahanam (Lord Hanuman carrying the Lord and his consorts), AiravataVahanam (celestial elephant airavata), Surya prabha, (Sun), Chandra prabha (Moon) chariots, palanquins - all these continue as introduced by Lord Brahma at the very beginning. During these festivities the Lord is given auspicious bath called Snapana tirumanjanam, then at the end, He is given ‘Avabrutasnaanam (auspicious bath ritual that concludes the festivities) and after Dwajaavarohanam (bringing down the flag as a mark of final ritual of the festivities). The next day the Lord and his consorts will receive “Pushpa Yagam” (floral worship). After the Pushpa Yaga how the kings and other dignitaries offered worship in the form of archana (doing puja to his feet) and neerajana (harati), how they offered gifts and presents in his honour, how they all bowed down respectfully and fell at Lord’s feet in complete surrender - all this is described in the Purana. Even to this day, every year Lord’s Brahmotsavams are performed in the same manner as earlier times of yore, though some changes are brought in keeping the present-day situation in mind. Whenever there comes adhikamasam (an extra month in the Hindu Lunar Calendar to keep the lunar and solar calendars aligned) two Brahmotsavams will be performed.
Temples are representatives of our Culture and festivals are our customs, bringing huge members of society together to enjoy the social joy, while getting the blessings of the Lord. There are a lot of rituals accredited to Tirumala temple. Among them Brahmotsavam is a grand festival spread over almost ten days, which attracts very huge number of devotees. In this respect, the Brahmotsavam at Tirumala is considered to be the most attractive. Tremendous importance is attached to this festival. The utsavam reminds me of the extravagance of the daily processions of lord Venkateswara on different vahanams. Cultural folk go around the temple complex singing devotional songs in praise of lord Venkateswara dancing, playing drums, performing kolatams etc. Lord Venkateswara is brought out in grand procession twice a day during Brahmotsavam. Each procession is preceeded by religious groups of Veda parayanams and Divya Prabandham. A day before the utsavam Sri Vishwaksena (lord’s Commander in chief) goes around the temple area supervising the arrangements. Prelude to the festival the priest ceremonically carry out the Ankurarpanam (Sankalp to celebrate this utsavam).
Pedda Sesha Vahanam
The seven hoods of the Serpent God are said to represent the seven hills of Lord Venkateswara. Tirumala hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Lord AadiSesha. That is why it is also called as 'Seshachala'. It is said that the Lord bestowed on AadiSesha the honour of being His first Vahanam during the utsavam in appreciation of his services to Him.
ChinnaSesha Vahanam
The Lord is taken out in a procession in the golden five headed ChinnaSeshaVahanam -believed to be the serpent God Vasuki as His vehicle. Vasuki is the Serpent God (one of the 8 great Naga Kingsalso one of the protagonists of the Ksheera Saagara Madhanam (the churning of the ocean). In Bhagavad Gita Lord Sri Krishna says that; SarpaanaamAsmiVasukih. (10.28) – (Of serpents I am Vasuki, the chief.)
Hamsa Vahanam
The procession of the Lord is on Hamsa (Swan) Vahanam and in the attire of Goddess Saraswathi, the presiding deity of Vidya (learning) holding the celestial Veena in the hands. By riding on HamsaVahanam, Lord Venkateswara is showing that He is the Supreme God of Learning and guides mankind to lead a sanctified life bestowing on it the discriminatory wisdom to shed bad qualities and retain noble virtues.
Simha Vahanam
Lord assumed the form of half man and half lion in His Narasimha Avathara. Lord Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that “He is the Lion among the animals.” Mrugaanaam cha Mrugendroaham-Know me to be the lion amongst animals” (10.30). Through this avathara, the Lord points out that He is the God of Gods; protector at the time of need - and to make true the words of Prahlada that God is in existence everywhere.
Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam
Sri Devi and Bhu Devi with Lord Malayappa Swami in the Muthyapu-pandiri vahanam -- a pandal shaped palanquin decorated with a canopy of expensive and resplendent milky white pearls pearls are said to be a symbol of purity and royalty. Through this alankaaram, Swami spreads message of peace, love and coexistence in society.
Kalpavriksha Vahanam
KalpaVruksha is the divine tree of life that provides fulfilment of wishes and other material gains of the devout. Swami bestows boons and fortunes to His devotees fulfilling their righteous wishes on this Vahanam.
SarvaBhoopala Vahanam
Through this Lord spreads the message that all the Dikpalakas (guardians of the eight cardinal directions) governing the universe are under His direct control and vigilance. All living beings sustain and prosper only when the nature is bountiful without any ‘Ativrishti’ (excessive rain) and ‘anavrishti’ (scanty rain).
Mohini Avataram
Lord dressed in exquisite attractive female attire in an exquisitely decorated ivory palanquin with a golden parrot in the right hand and a long mangala sutra made of gems and diamonds in the other. This form represents the Mohini Avatharam. The lesson He teaches is that of the drastic and dramatic consequences of losing one’s conscious awareness. Humans should always show Chaturatha for good purposes only
Garuda Seva
This procession is considered by many to be the most auspicious of all the events in Brahmotsavam. In Srimad Bhagawad Gita Lord Sri Krishna says that, He is Garuda among the birds(Vainatheyatcha Pakshinaam). Garuda is prominently eulogized in Puranas for his knowledge, strength and power. One of the seven hills among the Tirumala hills is named after Garuda 'Garudaadri'. Lord Malayappa Swamy sits alone in dignity with His feet like red lotuses in the hands of Garuda that looks like a pack of nascent leaves. The Lord is adorned with antique and precious ornaments like Makara Kanti and Lakshmi Haaram adding grandeur to the procession. On this day, the Lord is also adorned with Goda Devi garlands from the temple of Srivilliputtur.
Hanumantha Vahanam
The Lord grants darshan as Sri Ramachandra with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle holding a golden Bow and arrow. Lord Hanuman, undoubtedly the greatest and ardent devotee of Lord Sri Rama, is known for his righteousness, courage, strength, valour and discriminative intelligence. The Lord sends out the message that humans can, through the path of true devotion, complete surrender and service to God, one can purify himself and attain immortality.
Gaja Vahanam
Among all animals engaged in the service of the Lord, the elephant occupies a special place, being the celestial vahanam of Sri Mahalakshmi. In order to please His consort and to bless the devotees the Lord adorns Gaja. The vahanam and the concept behind this is a reminder to everyone that Lord always rescues the true devotees from all sorts of risks and troubles like he did for the Gaja from the threat of Crocodile (GajendraMoksham).
Suryaprabha Vahanam
Lord Aaditya is described as born from the eyes of Lord Sriman Naarayana (Chaksho! SuryoAjaayathah!-PurushaSooktha) – the Lord, the Creator, who has Sun as His eyes glitters brilliantly to make the Sun shine. The Lord is also referred to as Surya Naarayana. Mythology says that Sun God (Lord Surya) is the key architect of the life of humans, plants, animals from whom powerful luminaries receive luminosity in the cosmos. Through this darsanam, Lord Venkateswara advises all to pray to Lord Surya Narayana Swami for granting sustained wellbeing -- making life free of physical ailments.
Chandraprabha Vahanam
Both these vahanams (Surya-Prabha-Vahanam and Chandra-Prabha-Vahanam) signify that Sriman Narayana Swami is the cause for Time -arising out of Lord Vishnu who is Kaala Swaroopa and Kaala Niyaamaka, the governing Lord of Time. He is also known as Kaala Purusha (the personification of the presiding Deity of Time).The eternal fact that “Time and Tide wait for none” is reinforced by the Lord through these related processions and one should perform the prescribed duties faithfully and lead a pious life.
Aswa Vahanam
The Lord takes this avatara to fight the evil in the society and protect the righteous. Horse is a symbol of abundant energy. Kalkiavataara brings forth His saying in the Bhagavad Gita” ParitraanayaSaadunamm, Vinasayaya cha Dushkritam”. The message for mankind is clear -- keep away from KaliDosha and pray to the Almighty to ward off the impact of wrongdoings.
Chakrasnanam
The nine day Brahmotsavam concludes with the Chakrasnanam. On the ninth day morning; last day of the Brahmotsavam, special abhishekam known as Avabhrutha Snaanam is held for the Utsavamurthy of Lord Venkateswara and his consorts -- Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. SnapanaTirumanjanam (celestial bath) is performed to the deities followed by the immersion of the idol of Chakrathalwar.
Along with the very well laid out religious procedures, the granting of Darshanam by swami with Ammavarlu to the devotees adds to the grandeur of the Utsavam and is a very important and divinely ordained practice. While direct darshanam is dedicated, even sincere indirect darshanam through media, can to a very great extent, add exaltation to the process.
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