Srivari Annual Salakatla Brahmotsavam (October 7 - 15, 2021)

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is gearing up to organise the nine-day mega annual festival of Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavams which is scheduled between October 7 to 15 in Ekantam owing to Covid restrictions.

‌Following are the details of the festivities including special rituals, vahana sevas etc. during the ensuing annual Brahmotsavams at Tirumala.

1. 05-10-2021 – (Tuesday)
• 6am to 10am-Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam
2. 06.10.2021 – (Wednesday)
• 6pm and 7pm- Ankurarpanam
3. 07.10.2021 – (Thursday)
• 5.10pm and 5.30pm-Dwajarohanam in Meena Lagnam
• 8:30pm – 9.30pm: Pedda Shesha Vahanam
4. 08.10.2021- (Friday)
• 9am and 10am: Chinna Shesha Vahanam
• 7pm and 8pm: Hamsa Vahanam
5. 09.10.2021 (Saturday) 
• 9am and 10am: Simha Vahanam
• 1pm and 3pm: Snapana Tirumanjanam
• 7pm and 8pm: Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam
6. 10.10.2021 (Sunday)
• 9am and 10am: Kalpavruksha Vahanam
• 1pm and 3pm: Snapana Tirumanjanam
• 7pm and 8pm: Sarva Bhupala Vahanam
7. ‌11.10.2021 (Monday)
• 9am and 10am: Mohini Avataram
• 7pm  onwards: Garuda Vahanam
8. 12.10.2021 (Tuesday)
• 9am and 10am: Hanumanta Vahanam
• 4pm and 5pm: Sarva Bhupala Vahanam in place of Swarna ratham
• 7pm and 8pm: Gaja Vahanam
9. 13.10.2021 (Wednesday)
• 9am and 10am: Surya Prabha Vahanam
• 1pm and 3pm: Snapana Tirumanjanam
• 7pm and 8pm: Chandra Prabha Vahanam
10. 14.10.2021 (Thursday)
• 7:35am onwards: Sarva Bhupala Vahanam in place of Rathotsavam
• 7pm and 8pm: Aswa Vahanam
11. 15.10.2021 (Friday)
• 6am and 8am: Pallaki utsavam and Tiruchi utsavam
• 8am to 11am: Snapana Tirumanjanam and Chakra Snanam at Ayina Mahal
• 8pm and 9pm: Dhwajavarohanam

ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER, TTDs TIRUPATI

శ్రీ‌వారి సాల‌క‌ట్ల బ్ర‌హ్మోత్స‌వాలు – 2021 వాహ‌న‌సేవ‌లు

శ్రీవారి సాల‌క‌ట్ల‌ బ్రహ్మోత్సవాలు అక్టోబ‌రు 7 నుంచి 15వ తేదీ వరకు జరుగనున్నాయి. కోవిడ్‌-19 మార్గ‌ద‌ర్శ‌కాల మేర‌కు ఈ బ్ర‌హ్మోత్స‌వాల‌ను ఏకాంతంగా నిర్వ‌హించాల‌ని టిటిడి నిర్ణ‌యించింది. ఇందుకోసం అక్టోబ‌రు 5న కోయిల్ ఆళ్వార్ తిరుమంజ‌నం జ‌రుగ‌నుంది. వాహ‌న‌సేవ‌ల వివ‌రాలు ఇలా ఉన్నాయి.

1. 06.10.2021 – బుధ‌వారం 
• అంకురార్ప‌ణ సాయంత్రం 6 నుండి 7 గంటల వ‌ర‌కు.
2. 07.10.2021 – గురువారం
• ధ్వ‌జారోహ‌ణం(మీన‌ల‌గ్నం) సాయంత్రం 5.10 నుండి 5.30 గంటల వ‌ర‌కు.
• పెద్ద‌శేష వాహ‌నం – రాత్రి 8.30 నుండి 9.30 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
3. 08.10.2021 – శుక్ర‌వారం
• చిన్న‌శేష వాహ‌నం – ఉద‌యం 9 నుండి 10 గంట‌ల‌కు వ‌ర‌కు.
• హంస వాహ‌నం – రాత్రి 7 నుండి 8 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
4. 09.10.2021 – శ‌నివారం
• సింహ వాహ‌నం ఉద‌యం 9 నుండి 10 గంట‌ల‌కు వ‌ర‌కు.
• స్న‌ప‌న‌తిరుమంజ‌నం- మధ్యాహ్నం 1 నుండి 3 గంటల వ‌ర‌కు.
• ముత్య‌పుపందిరి వాహ‌నం రాత్రి 7 నుండి 8 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
5. 10.10.2021 – ఆదివారం
• క‌ల్ప‌వృక్ష వాహ‌నం – ఉద‌యం 9 నుండి 10 గంట‌ల‌కు వ‌ర‌కు.
• స్న‌ప‌న‌తిరుమంజ‌నం- మధ్యాహ్నం 1 నుండి 3 గంటల వ‌ర‌కు.
• స‌ర్వ‌భూపాల‌ వాహ‌నం – రాత్రి 7 నుండి 8 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
6. 11.10.2021 – సోమ‌వారం
• మోహినీ అవ‌తారం – ఉద‌యం 9 నుండి 10 గంట‌ల‌కు వ‌ర‌కు.
• గ‌రుడ‌సేవ‌ – రాత్రి 7 నుండి 8.30 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
7. 12.10.2021 – మంగ‌ళ‌వారం
• హ‌నుమంత వాహ‌నం – ఉద‌యం 9 నుండి 10 గంట‌ల‌కు వ‌ర‌కు.
• స్వ‌ర్ణ‌ర‌థం బ‌దులుగా స‌ర్వ‌భూపాల వాహ‌నం – సాయంత్రం 4 నుండి 5 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
• గ‌జ వాహ‌నం – రాత్రి 7 నుండి 8 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
8. 13.10.2021 – బుధ‌వారం
• సూర్య‌ప్ర‌భ వాహ‌నం – ఉద‌యం 9 నుండి 10 గంట‌ల‌కు వ‌ర‌కు.
• స్న‌ప‌న తిరుమంజ‌నం – మ‌ధ్యాహ్నం 1 నుండి 3 గంటల వ‌ర‌కు.
• చంద్ర‌ప్ర‌భ వాహ‌నం – రాత్రి 7 నుండి 8 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
9. 14.10.2021 – గురువారం
• ర‌థోత్స‌వానికి బ‌దులుగా స‌ర్వ‌భూపాల వాహ‌నం- ఉద‌యం 7.35 గంట‌ల‌కు.
• అశ్వ వాహ‌నం – రాత్రి 7 నుండి 8 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
10. 15.10.2021 – శుక్ర‌వారం
• ప‌ల్ల‌కీ ఉత్స‌వం మ‌రియు తిరుచ్చి ఉత్స‌వం – ఉద‌యం 6 నుండి 8 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.
• స్న‌ప‌న‌తిరుమంజ‌నం మ‌రియు చ‌క్ర‌స్నానం – ఉద‌యం 8 నుండి 11 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు (అయిన మ‌హ‌ల్‌లో).
• ధ్వ‌జావ‌రోహ‌ణం – రాత్రి 8 నుండి 9 గంట‌ల వ‌ర‌కు.

తి.తి.దే., ప్రజాసంబంధాల అధికారిచే విడుదల చేయబడినది.

View all Grand Srivari Annual Salakatla Brahmotsavam Seva Details below:

During Brahmotsavams when taken in procession, Lord Venkateswara who is the over-lord of lords’ dazzles with great divine aura. He excels in supreme glory bedecked by precious embellishments. When he is taken around seated in golden palanquin and all the various vahanams, Lord Venkateswara along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi blesses the worlds. Devotees of the Lord of seven hills await these celebrations with devout eagerness filling their hearts. For the devotees, the chance to see the Lord many times in a day, to participate in the festivities, to be able to give Harati to the Lord, all of that will be possible only during these Brahmotsavams. When and how did this utsavam, the Brahmotsavam celebration start? Bhavishyottara Purana says the story about these Brahmotsavams and about Lord Venkateswara who was bound by the boon given to Lord Brahma - that He would remain in the form of Archamoorthy (idol that receives worship) in Ananda Nilayam till the end of this Kaliyuga. Though the Lord exists in the beautiful idol, only the elevated souls on the path of Jnana can see him as the form of supreme consciousness. All the other devotees will see the Lord as the idol of Shaligram, as bliss consciousness form. The idol with four arms - one in varada mudra (boon giving protective mudra) the other till his waist, with palm pointed downwards to his feet and two upper arms and adorned by beautiful Jewellery and a crown, with Sridevi and Padmavathi Devi on his chest, with gem studded waist belt, in golden yellow robes - in this magnificent form the Lord gives darshan to his devotees, blesses them and destroys their sins and sorrows. In the sanctum of Anandanilayam, Lord Brahma lit two “AkhandaJyothis” (lamps that remain glowing eternally). He pronounced that the two lamps will continue to glow till the end of Kaliyuga and in the end they will blowoff on their own and that is when Lord Srinivasa would return to his abode of Vaikuntta.

Lord Brahma after lighting the AkhandaJyothis, reverentially asked Lord Srinivasa as to what more he could do for the wellbeing of humans in kaliyuga. Then Lord Srinivasa instructed him – O Brahma, my son, make arrangements for rituals like Dwajaarohana (hoisting the temple pennant as the auspicious beginning of a ritual) Rathotsavam (chariot festival) and during such festivities I should be taken around in a procession every day on various vehicles specially designed for the purpose. And, also make arrangements for food offering as naivedyam thrice a day, cooked only by highly learned brahmins who are adept in the study of vedas, and my ‘Kalyanam’ (auspicious marriage ritual) should be performed thrice a day”. Then Lord Brahma summoned King Thondaman immediately and told him thus- “O King, you see to it that Viswakarma makes various beautifully designed vehicles, various chariots embellished with beautiful canopies, beautiful whisk fans and other items”. Then he summoned Viswakarma and introduced him to the king. In no time, Viswakarma created everything mentioned by Lord Brahma and King Thondaman. Lord Srinivasa instructed Thondaman that kings of all kingdoms along with their retinues must be invited to come and enjoy the festivities that were planned in his honour as - ‘Srinivasotsavams’. The Puranam gives in detail the kings and the names of their kingdoms who had visited, namely, ‘Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Kashi, Khamboja, Kerala, Virata, Kuru, Jaangala, Pegundala, Barbara, Pandya, Chedhi, Matsya, Sindhu, and few more kings from other kingdoms. They all came on elephants, horses, palanquins and few came walking holding the decorated canopies and whisk fans - on their way they fed brahmins as a mark of respect. The festivities started after Sun entered KanyaRashi (in the month of Bhadrapada) and on the tithi of vidiya (Dwitiya - second lunar day), the ritual of Dwajarohanam (auspicious hoisting of flag) took place. The previous day itself, anthill sacred soil was collected from the forest in a ceremonial manner and the ritual of ‘Ankuraarpanam’ took place. A gem studded beautiful palanquin which would be carried by people was brought to Lord Srinivasa and Lord Brahma prayed thus - “O Lord, do sit in this palanquin and go around the temple in circumambulation”. With the power of the mantras (incantations) from the four Vedas, Brahma created four idols with the amsha (part) of Lord Srinivasa. The utsavavigraham was named - Srinivasa The second one as - Ugra Srinivasa The third one as - Sarvaadhikasama The fourth one as - Lekhakaa That is how Lord Brahma named the four idols which are there in Tirumala even today. The idol of the deity that is taken in procession during festivities is called as ‘Malayappa Swamy’. Lord Brahma created only the idol of Lord Srinivasa. But Malayappa Swamy has both Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either sides. One more is Bhoga Srinivasa, a silver idol. How this idol got into the temple worship is clearly explained in the stone inscription of 960 AD. Princess Samavayi got it made at the behest of Yamunacharya and that the idols of Malayappa Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi were kept in worship in the place of Ugra Srinivasa idol. There is historical evidence for this. During earlier days it was the idol of Ugra Srinivasa which was taken out in procession as utsavamoorthy and in one such celebration a huge fire accident took place on Tirumala hills. Then Lord Srinivasa entered into the body of one devotee and made him talk - he said that in Malayappakona, there are three idols of himself along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, and he also told the directions to reach that place. The lord also mentioned that those idols must be used as utsava moorthies and Ugra Srinivasa idol must not be taken out from the sanctum for procession purpose as he is ‘Urga’ (wrathful). Then when people went in search of the idols as mentioned by the Lord, they were found exactly in that place in Malayappa Kona - hence he is called ‘Malayappa Swamy’. Malaya means mountain, a hill. Lord Srinivasa’s idol called ‘Lekhakaa’ has been in the temple for time’s immemorial. He is the koluvu Srinivasa - the one who sits in the Darbar when the daily almanac details (panchanga sravanam) are read out and when the details of temple revenue is reported to him. ‘Sarvadhika Sama’ is the one created by Lord Brahma which is receiving the worship now as Bhoga Srinivasa. Like that, with the idols created by Lord Brahma, the very first utsavams (festivities) called 'Srinivasotsavams' took place. Since then Lord Srinivasa continues to be in invisible form in the temple’s Saligrama idol, giving darshan to his devotees and blessing them. Brahma Deva stood at the helm of affairs and got all the vahanams made as ordered by Lord Srinivasa, got the list fixed about which vahana to be used on which day, what food offering (Naivedyam) for each vahanam was decided and with strict vigilance Brahma Deva saw to it that the utsavams were performed smoothly and perfectly. Hence, Srinivasotsavams were named as ‘Brahmotsavams’.

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).

DWAJAROHANAM 

This event is performed on the first day evening of the fete inside the temple, signaling the start of the Brahmotsavam. The sacred yellow flag with the imprint of Lord Garuda is ceremonially hoisted atop the flag post at the auspicious subha muhurtham amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and to the rhythmic beat of temple drums. Prior to the divine ceremony, the processional deities along with parivara deities like Anantha, Garuda, Chakra and Vishwaksena are taken around the mada streets (four streets encircling the sacred shrine) in a grand procession. It is widely believed that Lord Garuda goes round the temple complex extending invitations to all the supernatural powers like Yakshas, Gandharvas, Kinneras, Kimpurushas and Rishis and to the entire devatha community including Indra. Yama, Agni, Kubera, Varuna, Vayu and other heavenly bodies to take part in the religious festival.

Pedda Sesha Vahanam 

The seven hoods represent the seven hills of Lord Venkateswara. It is believed that it is on this mighty Adisesha that the Lord reclines at his heavenly abode in the Milky Way. It is in appreciation of his services that the Lord bestowed him the honour of being his first Vahanam during the festival.

ChinnaSesha Vahanam 

On the second day in the morning, Chinna Sesha Vahanam, is organised to enlighten devotees on the importance of the hidden Kundalini energy within Man. 

Hamsa Vahanam 

In the night, the Lord on the hamsa (Swan) Vahanam is believed to have an inherent ability to separate milk from water. Likewise, the Lord guides mankind to lead a sanctified life, bestowing on it the wisdom to shed bad qualities and retain noble virtues. 

Simha Vahanam 

On the third day in the morning the Lord on the Simha (Lion) Vahanam is decorated as Lord Narasimha on Lion. According to mythology, the Lord as King Lion is an embodiment of power and speed, a powerful entity born to remove evil spirits and harmful elements and protect the righteous. 

Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam 

In the night, Lord Malayappa Swamy along with his two consorts decorated with expensive and resplendent milky white pearls spreading the message of peace, love and co-existence in society. 

Kalpavriksha Vahanam 

On the fourth day in the morning Lord on golden Kalpavriksha (Tree of boons) Vahanam, bestowing fortunes on his devotees and fulfilling their wishes. 

SarvaBhoopala Vahanam 

The night witnesses Lord Malayappa Swamy on the Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam spreading the message that all the Dikpalakas (guardians of the eight cardinal directions) governing the Universe are under his direct control and vigilance and that mankind prospers with timely rains. 

Mohini Avataram 

On the fifth day in the morning, the Mohini Avataram is organised, commemorating the Lord’s incarnation as Mohini (celestial beauty). The Mohini avataram is organised to illustrate the benevolence extended by the Lord to those who follow the path of virtue. 

Garuda Seva 

Considered to be the most auspicious of all the events during the Brahmotsavam, this festival is organised in the night. Adding grandeur to the event, antique and precious ornaments like the centuries-old Makara Kanti and Lakshmi haaram, whose history is rooted in temple legends, adorn the deity. The deity also wears the sacred garlands from the temple of Goddess Andal in Srivilliputtur. 

Hanumantha Vahanam 

On the sixth day in the morning, Lord Malayappa, donning the role of Lord Rama and equipped with a golden bow and arrow, mounted atop the Hanumantha Vahanam. Hanuman is not only considered an ardent devotee of Lord Rama but also an exponent of all the four Vedas, besides being an embodiment of wisdom, strength, success and bravery. 

Gaja Vahanam 

Later in the night, Lord Venkateswara enthralls devotees on the Gaja (Elephant) Vahanam. Among other animals engaged in the service of the Lord, the elephant commands a special place, being the celestial vehicle of goddess Mahalakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu. To please his consort and bless the devout with all prosperity, the Lord takes a pleasure ride on the Gaja Vahanam. 

Suryaprabha Vahanam 

It is widely believed that witnessing Suryaprabha vahanam not only provides sustained life but also relieves one of physical ailments. 

Chandraprabha Vahanam 

The night witnesses the divine procession of the Lord on the elegantly decorated Chandraprabha Vahanam, reminding all of the coolness and brightness of moonlight. 

Rathotsavam 

Lord along with his consorts, mounts the gigantic wooden chariot which is pulled by devotees along the four mada streets encircling the holy shrine. The chariot with a golden umbrella tied to its crest is tastefully decorated with flags and festoons. Religious fervor pervades the town as thousands of devotees take part in the procession and pull the chariot by its bulky rope. The air remains electrified with the chanting of Govindanamam as the huge chariot moves down the lanes. 

Aswa Vahanam 

The Aswa (Horse) Vahanam is organised in the night. This signifies the avathara of Kalki — a good Samaritan who fights the evil and protects the virtuous. 

Chakrasnanam 

The nine-day Brahmotsavam has a grand finale with Chakrasnanam. Snapana Thirumanjanam (celestial bath) is performed to the deities on the north-west banks of Swamy Pushkarini (temple tank), followed by the immersion of the idol of Chakratalwar in the pushkarini waters in the presence of tens of thousands of devotees.

Dwaja Avarohanam

It was performed at Dwajasthambam inside Sri Vari Temple on the concluding day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam at Tirumala on Saturday night.  The earlier processional deity of Lord Malayappaswamy along with His consorts was taken out in procession on gold Tiruchi around four mada streets. According to mythology, it is believed that a dip in the temple tank (Pushkarini) during ‘Chakrasnanam’ washes off sins of the people. Later in the evening, ‘Dhwaja Avarohanam’ was performed signalling the conclusion of the annual fete. During the ritual, the sacred flag hoisted atop the temple flag post on the first day of the Bramha Utsavams is unfurled.

Let us invoke the Blessings of the Lord and His Divine Consorts on the occasion of Brahmotsavam.