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Friday 30 September 2016

Brahmotsavam And Sevas in Tirumala

Tirumala Brahmotsavam:-

Tirumala Brahmotsavam is a Hindu festival celebrated annually at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The festival continues for 9 days in the months of September and October.
It is believed that Lord Brahma was the first to start this festival. He worshiped Sri Balaji on the banks of the Pushkarini in Tirupati to thank him for the protection of mankind. Hence the festival bears his name ‘Brahmotsavam' which means Brahma's Utsav.

History of Tirumala Brahmotsavam:-

According to Hindu mythology the history behind this Festival traces to Lord Brahma (Creator of universe). It is believed that Lord Brahma worshipped Sri Balaji on the banks of the holy Pushkarini in Tirupati. Lord Brahma wanted to thank Sri Balaji for Balaji's protection of mankind.
Also, the name of this Festival "Brahmotsavam" traces its roots to the worship of Lord Brahma. People of the place celebrate this Festival of Tirupati with great enthusiasm and value it.

Importance of Brahmotsavam:-

Thousands of devotees every year gather to witness this grand Festival, participate in the rituals, and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara swami. The complete 9 day Festival is a memorable experience for all tourists and devotees. The feeling of complete bliss and heavenly connect is often termed as "Vaikunth anubhav".
On the first day of the Festival Garudadhwaja (flag with the emblem of a black garuda) is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. A procession then proceeds of Lord Venkateswara on the Pedda Seshavahana proceeds around four streets of the main temple for two hours until midnight.Ankurarpana and Senadhipati Utsavam are celebrated on the day just before the first day of Brahmotsavam.
In the Brahmotsav celebrations, the powerful snake transforms itself as the vehicle for god. The moral behind the prayers that are offered during Garodtsav, is to pray to God for a living with high values and morals.
‘Srivari Brahmotsavam Festival‘ which is held in the month of September to October is the very famous and the mostly celebrated festival of Tirumala Tirupathi Venkateswara temple, which will be celebrated in a great grand manner for about nine days every year.
Brahmotsavam Festival schedule conducted every year as below:
1st Day – Morning – Dwajarohanam , Evening – Pedda Sesha Vahanam
2nd Day – Morning – Chinna Sesha Vahanam , Evening – Hamsa Vahanam
3rd Day – Morning – Simha Vahanam , Evening – Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam
4th Day – Morning – Kalpavriksha Vahanam , Evening – Sarvabhoopala Vahanam
5th Day – Morning – Mohini Avatharam , Evening – Garuda Vahanam
6th Day – Morning – Hanumantha Vahanam , Evening – Swarnarathotsavam & Gajavahanam
7th Day – Morning – Suryaprabha Vahanam , Evening – Chandraprabha Vahanam
8th Day – Morning – Rathotsavam , Evening – Ashwa Vahanam
9th Day – Morning – Chakra Snanam & Pallaki Utsavam , Evening – Golden Tiruchi Utsavam & Dwajavarohanam.

First Day -Dwajarohanam:-

 It is a flag hoisting ceremony which will be conducted in the morning session. The flag will be adorned with the emblem of Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu.



Pedda Sesha Vahanam:-



 In the evening the beautiful procession of Lord Venkateshwara is brought around the temple. The name of the Vahanam (vehicle) on which the Lord is carried is known as Pedda Sesha Vahanam, which will be in the shape of Adisesha.

Second day-Chinna Sesha Vahanam :-



The procession of Lord Venkateshwara is brought around the temple in Chinna Sesha Vahanam (Small vehicle) in the shape of Adisesha, which can be observed in the morning.
Hamsa Vahanam – The second night will be sparkle with Unjal Seva (Swinging ceremony) which take place at Uyala mandapam of Venkateshwara temple. After the Unjal Seva, a remarkable procession will take place, where Lord Venkateshwara will be housed on Hamsa Vahanam (a swan shaped vehicle).

Third day-Simha Vahanam:-



 The procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Simha Vahanam, a lion shaped vehicle, will be carried around, which can be noticed in the morning. Simha Vahanam is used in this procession, as it represents authority.

Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam :-



 The procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam, which is adorned with Pearls, can be observed in the evening.

Fourth day-Kalpavriksha Vahanam :-



 The procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Kalpavriksha Vahanam, a wish-fulfilling divine tree, will be discerned in the morning.

Sarvabhoopala Vahanam :-



After the completion of Unjal Seva (swinging ceremony) in the evening, the procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Sarvabhoopala Vahanam takes place. The Sarvabhoopala Vahanam signifies all the Kings on the earth.

Fifth day-Mohini Avatharam :-



The fifth morning of the festival starts with the grand celebration of Lord Vishnu as Mohini, the only female avatar of Lord Vishnu. The procession of beautiful idol of Mohini is carried on a palanquin, accompanied by Lord Krishna.

Garuda Vahanam :-



 Garuda Vahanam is considered to be the more sacred Vahanam among all other Vahanams. After the completion of Unjal Seva (swinging ceremony) in the evening, the procession of Lord Venkateshwara takes place in a grand manner where Lord is decorated with some sacred garlands with His main devotee and chief vehicle ‘Garuda‘ the king of birds as his vehicle.It is believed by the devotees that this ‘Garuda Sevai‘ is highly meritable to have darshan of the Lord seated on Garuda.

Sixth day-Hanumantha Vahanam :-



 The procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Hanumantha Vahanam, the mount of Lord Vishnu,and also the chief Devotee Lord Hanuman, can be observed. Spring festival is also observed on the same day.

Swarnarathotsavam & Gajavahanam :-



The procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Swarnarathotsavam, the golden chariot is observed in the evening. And tonight, the procession of Lord on Gajavahanam, the elephant shaped vehicle, is also observed.

Seventh day-Suryaprabha Vahanam :-



 The procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Suryaprabha Vahanam, the sun shaped vehicle, carried around the temple in the morning, can be perceived.

Chandraprabha Vahanam :-



 After the completion of Unjal Seva (swinging ceremony) in the evening, the procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Chandraprabha Vahanam, the moon shaped Vahanam, is admired.

Eighth day-Rathotsavam :-



 The procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Rathotsavam, a huge decorated chariot, is carried around the temple in the morning. The chariot can be carried even by the devotees who wish to carry the sacred Vahanam.

Ashwa Vahanam :-



After the completion of Unjal Seva (swinging ceremony) in the evening, the procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Ashwa Vahanam, the horse shaped Vahanam, can be observed.

Ninth day-Chakra Snanam & Pallaki Utsavam :-



on the final day, the Chakra Snanam & Pallaki Utsavam is held. In the temple tank, the Sudarshana chakra of Lord Venkateshwara is immersed by the temple priests and the devotees will take a holy dip in the temple tank and worship the Lord. This process is known as Chakra Snanam.
Golden Tiruchi Utsavam & Dwajavarohanam – The Brahmotsavam festival concludes with the event of Dwajavarohanam, the flag will be lowered. And mantras are chanted to pay obeisance to God. And the sandals and sacred Prasadam are distributed to the devotees.

Seva In Tirumala:-

On any day the sevas started from morning Suprabatham, Tomala Seva , Archana ,Kalyanotsavam, Arjita Brahmotsavam,Dolotsavam, Vasantotsavam ,Sahasra Deepalankara seva, and finally Ekanthaseva .
 
Suprabatha Seva:-



 Suprabatha Seva is done in early morning hours. Prathyusha Poojas starts with this Suprabatha Seva only. It is the first Seva done to Lord Venkateswara Swamy. It starts at 3.00A.m. Before this time temple Priests, Jeeyam Garulu, Ekangulu, Yadava Vamsikulu (Saniddigolla), who got the blessings of Lord Srinivasa come near the temple. They will ring the Temple bell near the Nagara Mandapam. First Sannidigolla enters into the temple through the Maha Dwaram. Then Preists also enters the temple. The keys of the temple are kept near the Kshetra Palaka near the Dwajasthamba and they will take his permission to open the temple doors. People who sing Suprbatham and the successors of Annamacharya will be ready along with their instruments to sing Maylukolupu (waking up Lord Srinivasa). Sannidhigolla opens the doors of BagaruVakili and goes inside with a Dhiviti (stick with fire) and Preists starts singing Suprabatham. It is followed by Sri Venkateswara Shotram, Prapathi, Mangala Sasanam. At the same time successors of Annamacharya play Thambura (musical instrument) and wake up Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Priests will now open the doors of Garbalayam and take the blessings of Lord Srinivasa by touching his feet and wakes him up. Curtain is placed in the front of the Lord. Main preist will offer Prasadam and Thambulam to the Lord. They will give  Navaneetha Harathi (Arthi) to the Lord. After reading Mangala Sasanam they will again open the doors and do Karpura Harathi and allow the devotees inside the temple. At this time the Darshan given by the god to the devotees is called as VISWAROOPA DARSANAM.  Around 200 to 250 devotees are permitted to view this Seva every day. The cost of the ticket is around 200Rs and can be purchased a day early from Vijaya Bank counter or procured from the Arjitham Officer by sending a D.D before hand.

Sudhi:-



 After Suprabhata Seva from 3.30 A.m to 3.45 A.m temple is cleaned. All the flower decorations done on the day before night are removed and dropped in the well which is called as Poola Bavi which is in the Sampangi Pradakshina . They do so see that no one else will again use them. This process is called as NIRMALYA SUDDHI.

 Archana:-



 Archana is also done in the early morning hours. For this pooja Jeeyam Garu (Priest) brings bamboo basket keeping it on his head which is filled with flowers and Tulasi garlands from the separate room which is meant for storing flowers. Before Archana, Abishekam is done to BOOGA SRINIVASA with Cow Milk, Turmeric water and, Sandal paste by chanting PurushaSuktam. After that idol is kept in its original place and Samprokshana is done to Boga Srinivasa and it is connected to the main deity with a golden thread. It is believed that through this thread power from the main deity flows to the Booga Srinivasa Idol. Pooja is done to main Deity and then Alankaram is done. By using Camphor Namam symbol is made on the face of Lord Srinivasa. He is also decorated with Yagnopaveetham. Later Lord Venketeswara’s feet, which are made of gold are kept on a (peetam) and Abishekam is done to them. 

Thomala Seva:-



 This Seva is also called as BHAGAVATHI ARADANA. As a part of this Seva Lord is decorated with flowers. In 6 days of a week this Seva is done after Suddhi. Only on Fridays after Abishekam, ThomalaSeva is done. This Seva is done between 3.45-4.30 A.M everyday but on Fridays it is done between 7-8 A.M. Ticket price is 220Rs and can be purchased daily at the beginning of the Vijaya bank or purchased from the agent Arijitham by sending a draft request. After ThomalaSeva Durbar is conducted in Thirumamani Mandapam to Koluvu Srinivasa for 15 minutes. Panchangam and Usthavas to be conducted on that day are read out and accounts of the before day including denominations are handed over to Baliberam (Koluvu Srinivasa). Later Prasadam made of Sesame (Nuvvulu) and Jaggery (Bellam) is offered to Koluvu Srinivasa.
  

SahasraNamarchana:-



 SahasraNamarchana is done from early morning 4.45 to 5.30. All thousand nama’s of Lord Vishnu given in Brahmanda Puranam are recited while doing Archana. After the completion of this Seva, with the Tulasi and flowers on the feet of Lord Venkateswara Pooja is done to Sridevi and Bhudevi. At that time Lakshmi SahasraNamalu given in Varaha Puranam are recited. Next Nakshatra Harathi and Karpura (Camphor) Harathi are given. 

First Bell Prasadam:-

 First SayanaMandapam is cleaned and doors of BangaruVakili are closed. Bells in Tirumamani Mandapam are rung. Only Priest stay inside and offer curd rice, lemon rice, pongali (items prepared by using rice), laddus, vadas appalu, dosas, polilu.

Astotra Satanamarchana:-

 Pooja is done by chanting all the 108 Names in  Varaha Purana. After finishing this Lakshminama Archana is done to Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Second Bell Prasadam:-

 After Astothara Sathanama Archana second bell will ring. Prasadam will be offered and then Thambulam and Harathi are offered.

Ekanthaseva :-



 At around night 1.30 Pavalimpu Seva is done it is also called as Ekantha Seva. The Ticket price is Rs120, and can be purchased daily at the beginning of Vijaya Bank counter. There are no reservations for this Seva. In this Seva Bhoga Srinivasa Murti is placed in a swing held by silver chains. They will offer milk, fruits, almonds (badam) as Nivadyam. It is believed that at night time Lord Brahma will come here to pray the Lord so, they will arrange sufficient water for Lord Brahma in a silver bowl. They will sing Annamayya Sankirthanas to lead the Lord to sleep. Ekantha Seva is done to Bhoga Srinivasa Murti for 11months but in Dhanurmasa (Dec 15 –Jan15) it is done to Lord Krishna. With this Poojas will come to an end.
 Temple is closed at 2’oclock. All the doors are closed at they are sealed.

Weekly Sevas:-


Vishesha Pooja (Monday)
Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana (Tuesday)
Sahasra Kalasabhishekam (Wednesday)
Tiruppavada Seva (Thursday)
Abhishekam (Friday)
Vasthralakarana Seva (Friday)
Vasthralakarana Seva (Friday).

Annual Sevas:-

Teppotsavam
Vasantotsavam
Padmavati Parinayam
Abhideyaka Abhishekam
Pushpa Pallaki
Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam
Pavitrotsavam

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