Sri Krishnashtami at Tirumala

There will be Tirumanjanam for Lord Sri Krishna at the Golden Entrance after Tomala Seva on Sri krishnashtami at Tirumala . At the same time, dvadasha tiruvaradhana (12 kinds of worship) is offered to Ugra Srinivasa Murthy placed on another pedestal with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. These abhishekas are performed in solitude. Ugra Srinivasa Murthy is later taken into Ananda Nilayam, while Asthanam is held for Sri Krishna Swami. After offering food to Balakrishna in sleeping posture, Akshataropanam is done.

Later, the story of Sri Krishna’s birth is recitecd from Srimad Bhagavatam. The Asthanam ends with harathi.

Sikyotsavam / Utlotsavam at Tirumala

After Sri Krishnashtami at Tirumala, Sikyotsavam or Utlotsavam or Uriyadi festival will be celebrated.

The next day in the early hours Bala krishna is taken in procession and anointed (tailakapu). The oil is distributed to the devotees who anoint their heads with it and take auspicious bath.

In the afternoon there is utla utsavam (sling ceremony) as Sri Krishna with butter in hand goes in procession in a separate palanquin besides Sri Malayappa Swami. The festivities of breaking the milk and butter pots in the sling are carried out on a grand scale in Tirumala at every step.

A long wooden pole will be erected with a high prize tied to the highest pole smeared with oil. The young compete to catch the big price and try to climb the slippery pole as people from below will pour turmeric water on them. Human pyramids are also made to reach the top and finally a team wins the race and goes away with “big prize” tied to the top of the pole.