Brahmotsavams at Tirumala

Bramhotsavams At Tirumala

Although many utsavas are conducted for the Lord throughout the year, the Brahmotsavams at Tirumala which take place for nine days a year assume greatest prominence in the history of Tirumala.

At the instance of Brahma and other gods and goddesses, Sri Venkateshwara manifested Himself to protect the humanity in Kali Yuga on the day of Shravana star in Kanya Masam to give credence to the adage, “Kalou Venkata Nayakah”. Brahma Himself conducted utsavas for nine days ending on the day Lord’s self-manifestation. Since Brahma Himself conducted these utsavas to Sri Venkateshwara, direct manifestation of Para Brahma, these acquired prominence as Brahmotsavas.

In the course of time later, several queens organized Brahmotsavas to Tirumalesha.

It is said that in 614 AD Pallava queen Samavai presented the idol of Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy to Tirumala and ordained for His procession before the Brahmotsavas in Kanya Masa.

Till 1583 Brahmotsavas were conducted almost every month, for example, in the name of Pallava king Vijaya Ganda Gopala Deva in the Chaitra masa in 1254 AD, in the name of “AdibTirunallu” by Tribhuvana Chakravarthi Tiruvenkatanatha Yadava Rayalu in the Ashadha masa of 1328 AD, in the name of Veera Prathapa Rayalu in the Ashvayuja masa of 1429 AD, in the name of “Masi Tirunallu” by Harihara Rayalu in 1446 AD, and in the name of “Achyutha Raya Brahmotsavas” by Achyutha Raya in 1530 AD.

In due course, though the utsavas instituted by those kings and kingdoms stopped, but the utsavas commenced by Brahma continued to be conducted till now for nine days.

A day before in the evening, there will be Ankuraarpana (beginning), mrutsangrahanam (collection of soil) by the Lord’s Commander Vishwaksena. The next day happens to be the day of Dhvajaarohana.

On this day, the flag of Garuda is hoisted on the golden dhvaja sthambham inviting the residents of all the worlds to the utsavas. Silk clothes are presented on this day on behalf of the government of Andhra Pradesh.

Day	Morning (8 Am to 10 Am)	Evening (7 Pm to 9 Pm)
1	Dhvajaarohanam	Pedda Shesha Vahanam
2	Chinna Shesha Vahanam	Hamsa Vahanam
3	Simha Vahanam	Mutyapu Pandiri
4	Kalpa Vriksha Vahanam	Sarva Bhupala Vahanam
5	Mohini Avataram	Garuda Seva
6	Hanumad Vahanam	Golden Chariot, Gaja Vahanam
7	Suryaprabha Vahanam	Chandraprabha Vahanam
8	Rathotsavam	Ashwa Vahanam
9	Chakra Snanam	Dhvajaavarohanam

#About The Divine Vahanams of Lord Venkateswara Swamy Brahmotsavams at Tirumala

The garland worn by Goda Devi from Sri Villi Puttur and new umbrellas from Chennai reach Tirumala. Malayappa adorne with all these goes in procession on the golden Garuda. Lakhs of people witness the spectacle.

Normally in any temple, the festivities start commencing from particular thithi in the month. But in Tirumala, the end date of the festival is taken into account and the beginning date will be fixed. The month when the Lord Surya enters kanya Rasi, the star Sravana is considered for Avabrudham i.e., Chakra Snanam.

The Brahmotsavams at Tirumala will commence 9 days before the date thet star commences. So, the Brahmotsavam is performed during Dussehra celebrations. As per Linar Panchanga, one additional month is added once in 3 years and hence the kanya masam comes in Bhadrapada month instead of Aasvaija during Leap year.

There will be two Brahmotsavas for Tirumalesh in a year with adhika masa, one in Kanya masa and another in sharan navaraatris.

Difference between Saalakatla Brahmotsavams and Navaratri Brahmotsavams at Tirumala

Two Brahmotsavams at Tirumala will be held during Leap year. First celebrations are called ” Saalakatla Brahmotsavams ” and second is called ” Navaratri Brahmotsavams “.

• Further during Saalakatla Brahmotsavams the celebrations are completely done, but in Navaratri Brahmotsavams Flagpole Hoisting (Dwajarohanam) and withdrawl of Flagepole (Dwajaavarohanam) will not be performed.
• During Saalakatla Brahmotsavams Malayappa swamy is taken in procession on a ‘wooden chariot’ while in Navaratri Brahmotsavam on a ‘golden chariot’.
• During Saalakatla Brahmotsavams, the aasthanam (congragation) is held in ‘tirumala raya mandapam’ and in Navaratri Brahmotsavam it is held in ‘ranganayakula mandapam’.

Also Read Brahmotsavams at Tirumala schedule – 2024

Read About Annual Ceremonies at Tirumala