Chatra Sthapanotsavam at Tirumala

Chatra Sthapanotsavam

Chatra Sthapanotsavam will be held evey year on Sharavana Suddha Dwadasi, a team of priests perform Thirumanjanam at Srivari padalu and perform pooja programs by installing a specially decorated new umbrella.

Legend

According to legend, Sri Venkateswara Swamy was the first to set foot on the Narayangiri peak, the highest of the seven hills of Tirumala, during the Kali Yuga. In honor of this occasion, Chatra Sthapanotsavam will be observed.

There is another belief in this festival. Winds are usually high during this period. As the Narayangiri peak is higher, it is more windy. An umbrella is enshrined here to pray to Vayu to provide relief from these winds.

Chatra Sthapanotsavam has been going on for hundreds of years. As part of this, Tirtha is taken from ‘Bangaru bavi’ (the well beside the main kitchen is known as ‘Bangaru bavi’. The water from this well is used for Abhishekam, Archana and cooking food for the Lord.) of the temple to perform Thirumanjana at Srivari padalu in Narayangiri. After the second hour in Tirumala Srivari Temple, puja materials, flowers and prasads are prepared for offering. From the mandapam of Ranganayakulas, they reach Medaramitta in a grand circumambulation amid mangala instruments with umbrellas.

From there, the priests reach the peak of Narayangiri and perform Tirumanjam at the feet of Srivaru with the tirtha brought from Bangaru bavi, and offer decoration, puja and offerings. Thereafter the Vedic reciters perform the Prabandha Sattumora, enshrine the umbrella of the Lord’s feet and distribute prasads to the devotees.