Brahmotsavams of Brahmanda Nayaka - The Universal Lord

 Millions of pairs of eyes from across the globe are eagerly waiting for the most auspicious and grandeur event, the annual Brahmotsavams of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala, which is all set to take place between September 27 till October 5, after a gap of two years due to Covid Pandemic.

 

Among the 450 odd festivals that are being observed every year in Tirumala as per the Vaikhanasa Agama tradition, the nine-day celestial festival is considered to be the festival of splendour and gaiety as the processional deity of Sri Malayappa Swamy in all His spiritual grandeur, decked with jewellery and flowers, wearing bright coloured pattu vastrams take celestial ride on 16 different carriers all along the four mada streets to bless His beloved devotees.

 

The nine-day festival commences with the ceremonious Ankurarpanam or Beejavapanam, which is considered to be the ritual of prelude before commencing the mega religious fete.

 

Ankurarpanam (September 26)

 

The initial ritual of Ankurarpanam will be observe in the evening. The Navadhanyas are sown in different mud pots invoking the blessings of Moon God

The level of sprouting of the grains becomes the benchmark of hurdle free and successful conduction of the annual Brahmotsavams.

 

Dwajarohanam (September 27)

 

The Garuda flag of Sri Venkateswara is hoisted in the evening after the procession of the utsava murthis on a gold Tiruchi. This signifies the invitation by the ardent devotee and noble servant of Srivaru, the Garuda, to the deities of all worlds present in Hindu Sanatana Dharma, to take part in the nine-day festival and make it a humongous success.

 

Pedda Shesha Vahanam (September 27)

 

The first Vahanam of the Festival is the seven hooded mighty divine serpent Pedda Sesha Vahanam, where in Sri Malayappa Swamy with Sridevi and Bhudevi takes celestial ride along the four Mada streets. The Pedda shesha vahanam is symbolic with Dhyana Bhakti.

 

Chinna Sesha Vahanam (September 28)

 

The Second Vahana Seva of the Brahmotsavams is the Chinna Shesha Vahanam which is symbolic with another divine serpent Vasuki and avowed to beget boons of Kundalini yogam.

 

Hamsa Vahanam  (September 28 )

 

On the second day evening, Sri Malayappa decked as Saraswathi-the deity of Wisdom, on a beautiful Hamsa  – the Swan carrier which is depicted in legends as a true icon of justice and peace. The devotees are charmed into devotion and surrender (Saranagati) to the Lord and given up arrogance.

 

Simha Vahanam (September 29)

 

On Day 3 of the festival, Sri Malayappa rides on Simha vahanam, the Half Human Half Lion form showcasing the strength, power and speed as ingredients of His divine existence.

 

Muthyapu Pandiri (September 29)

 

On the night of Day-3 of Brahmotsavam, the Lord rides on a palanquin of pearls, as symbolic of Moon, for peace and tranquillity. This vahanam is said to dispel all violence in devotees’ life and society at large.

 

Kalpavruksha Vahanam (September 30) 

 

The Kalpavruksha vahanam in the morning on fourth day of the Navahnika Brahmotsavams is considered as one of the highlights of the festival as darshan of Srivaru with His two Consorts on this vehicle will bestow all the boons sought by the devotees. The Kalpavruksha has mythological and legendry intones of Sagara Mathanam.

 

Sarva Bhopala vahanam (September 30)

 

The Sarva Bhopala vahanam, on fourth day evening, epitomises the universal supremacy of the Lord of Lords, Sri Venkateswara. The powerful deities of the galaxy-Indra, Kubera, Varuna, Yama, Viruthi, Parameswara and Vayu (Astha Dikpalakas) will work as per dictates of Lord Venkateswara.

 

Mohini vahanam (October 1)

 

On the fifth day morning, Sri Malayappa decked as the Universal Celestial Beauty, Mohini charms every one accompanied by Sri Krishna Swamy on another palanquin. This avatar depicted that Srivaru cautions devotees to break the chasm of Maya in this materialistic world.

 

Garuda Vahanam (October 1)

 

On the fifth day, the middle day of the nine-day celestial brahmotsavams, Garuda Vahanam is observed which is considered to be the most auspicious vehicle among all carriers of Sri Venkateswara. Devotees converge in lakhs to witness the majesty of Sri Malayappa on the mammoth Garuda vahanam.

 

Hanumantha Vahanam (October 2)

 

On the morning of the sixth day, Sri Malayappa as Sri Rama blesses His devotees on the most significant Hanumantha vahana. This vahanam is expected to yield philosophical satisfaction to devotees.

 

Golden Chariot (October 2) 

 

The processional deity of Sri Malayappa Swamy was taken out on a procession on the Swarna Ratham. The grandeur of the Ratham and the procession is a cynosure to the devotees.

 

Gaja Vahanam  (October 2) 

 

In the evening, Sri Malayappa rides on the divine Elephant carrier symbolising the devotion and surrender philosophy (saranagati) of Vaikanasa sect of Vaishnavism. 

 

Surya Prabha Vahanam (October 3) 

 

On the seventh day morning, Sri Suryanarayana tales celestial ride on the Surya Prabha Vahanam symbolizing the powers  of Sun God and the role of Sun in the life of mankind.

 

Chandra Prabha vahanam ( October 3)

 

In the evening, Sri Malayappa graces His devotees on Chandraprabha vahanam displaying peace, tranquillity as premiere media of achieving the devotion and well-being in the society.

 

Rathotsavam (October 4 )

 

In the morning of the penultimate day of  Srivari Brahmotsavam, the mammoth wooden chariot-Rathotsavam will be conducted on the mada streets. This event symbolises the philosophy of Atma and the body in Hinduism. Lord blesses the devotees to achieve bliss and also do soul-searching of their good and bad acts.

 

Aswa vahanam (October 4)

 

Among all the vahana sevas, Aswa vahanam is the last one in the annual Brahmotsavams at Tirumala. According to Krishnayajurveda, Horse stood for control of all body elements and Lord displayed His identity as a model of Kali, who gave boons to devotees.

 

Chakrasnanam (October 5)

 

This is the final event of the Brahmotsavam when the Utsava idols of Sri Malayappa, Sridevi and Bhudevi along with the anthropomorphic form of Lord, Sri Sudarshana Chakrathalvar were given final Abhisekam and led to Pushkarini for holy bath before they returned to the Ananda Nilayam. Thousands of devotees line up at the Swami Pushkarini to take a holy dip in the sacred waters.

 

Dhwajavarohanam (October 5)

 

The Garuda flag will be lowered on the last day night indicating the grand conclusion of the nine-day mega event.