Pushpayagam Offers Colourful Visual Treat to the Devotees

VIJAYAWADA, JULY 9: Tens of thousands of devotees were captivated by the magical charm of  the colourful Pushpaya Mahotsavam on the final day of Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavotsavams in PWD grounds at Vijayawada on the auspicious Guru Pournami day on Sunday.

RELIGIOUS IMPORTANCE: This religious fete in Tirumala is usually performed after annual Brahmotsavam in the asterism of Sravana Nakshatram, which also happens to be the birth star of Lord Venkateswara, usually in the month of Karteeka as per Hindu calendar which falls during October or November.

SIN-FREE FESTIVAL: There is also an age old belief that after performing a mega religious event, to overcome the commissions and omissions committed either knowingly or unknowingly by archakas, temple staff and devotees, this yagam is performed to wipe off the sins.

APPEASE MOTHER NATURE: As per the ancient scriptures, this festival is usually performed to save Mother Earth from natural calamities such as quakes, cyclones, epidemics and appease the Lord to save the ecology from all catastrophes.

FLORAL BATH WITH FIVE TONNES OF FLOWERS:

Over five tonnes of varieties of flowers were brought to the stadium in a celestial procession earlier during the day on Sunday morning.

Later the Utsava Murthies of Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy, flanked by His two Consorts,Sri Devi and Bhu Devi were seated on a finely decorated floral Mandapam. Later they were given a celestial floral bath with tonnes of 12 varieties of traditional flowers and ornamental flowers.

As soon as the flowers reached the height of the chest of the idols, they were removed and a floral bath was again given to the deities with another variety of flower and the same was repeated for 21 times amidst chanting of hymns till multi layered floral beds were formed. 

The devotees were mused and delighted to see this unique religious fete with enthusiasm. Every inch of the spacious grounds was occupied by devotees who thronged  to catch a glimpse of this awesome religious fete on Sunny Sunday. Tirupati JEO P Bhaskar, Kalyanotsavam Project Special Officer

Prabhakar Rao supervised the arrangements.

Meanwhile it is estimated that almost ten lakh devotees have attended and watched various rituals during this six day fete.