Annual lunar festival
Srivari Brahmotsavams
శ్రీవారి బ్రహ్మొత్సవములు |
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| Official name | Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams |
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| Also called | Tirumala Brahmotsavams, Tirupati Brahmotsavams |
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| Observed by | Hindus |
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| Celebrations | The Malayappa (Shree Bhoo Sahita)(processional deity) of Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala is taken on the morning and evening of the nine-day festival on four streets around the shrine. Celebrations include dance, music, elephants and horses. |
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| Frequency | Annual |
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| Related to | Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala |
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Sri Venkateswara Swami vari Brahmotsavam or Srivari Brahmotsavam is the most significant[1] annual fête celebrated at the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala-Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The feast lasts for one month during the Hindu calendar month of Āśvina, which falls between the Gregorian calendar months of September and October.[2]
The Utsava-murti (processional deity) of the presiding deity, Venkateswara, and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken on a procession on several vahanams on the streets surrounding the temple. The celebration attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over India and around the world. A Brahmotsavam is a cleansing ceremony in honor of Lord Brahma, and the ceremony at Tirumala is the largest.[3]
Etymology
The word Brahmotsavam is a combination of two Sanskrit words—Brahma and utsavam (festival)—and Brahma reportedly conducted the first festival. Brahma also means "grand" or "large".[4] Srivari Brahmotsavam is also known as "Venkateswara Salakatla Brahmotsavams" and "Venkateswara Navaratri Brahmotsavams".
Two festivals
When there is an extra month in the lunar calendar, two Brahmotsavam are held viz., Salakatla and Navarathri. Both festivals were held in 2015. 2018 and 2020.
Brahmotsavam 2023
This year, due to the occurrence of Adhika Maasa, there will be two Brahmotsavams in Tirumala.
The first one is the Salakatla Brahmotsavam, which follows the regular annual schedule. From September 18th – 26th, 2023
The second one is the Navrathri Brahmotsavam, which coincides with the Navratri festival. From October 14th – 22nd, 2023[5]
In Salakatla Brahmotsavam, Rathotsavam (Big Chariot) is held on the morning of the eighth day; during Navratri Brahmotsavam, Golden Chariot (Swarna Rathotsavam) is held that morning of the eighth day. In Salakatla Brahmotsavam, there will be flag hoisting (Dwajarohanam) on 1st day and flag-lowering (Dwajaavarohanam) on the evening of the ninth day.[6]
History and legend
According to the legend of Tirumala, Brahma descends to earth to conduct the festival.[1] Sri Venkteswara Sahasranamastotra refers to Brahma performing the festival, signified by a small, empty wooden chariot (brahmaratham) which moves ahead of the processions of the Venkateswara processional deity Malayappa.[1][7]
The first reference to festivals in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was in 966 CE, when the Pallava queen Samavai endowed land and ordered its revenue to celebrate festivals in the temple.[8][full citation needed][1] Until 1582, Brahmotsavams were held as often as 12 times a year.[1]
Celebrations
The Brahmotsavam is held over nine days at the beginning of the Hindu calendar month of Āśvina, paralleling Navaratri. The evening before the first day, the rite of Ankurarpana (the sowing of seeds to signify fertility and abundance) is performed. The main first-day activity is Dwajarohana, the raising of the Garuda flag to signify the beginning of the festival. Religious activities during the festival include daily homas and processions on streets surrounding the temple. The final day commemorates Venkateswara's birth star. The Sudarshana Chakra is bathed in the temple tank with the devotees. The Chakra is then placed on a high platform, and the devotees walk under it and are blessed with its dripping water. The festival ends with Dhvajavarohanam, the lowering of the Garuda flag.
- Dwajarohanam
- A ceremony on the first day, when a flag with a picture of Garuda (the vehicle of Vishnu) is hoisted over the temple.[9] The flag is believed to be a symbolic invitation to the Hindu deities to attend the festival.[9] After the ceremony, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister offers new silk clothes to Venkateswara.[10]
- Garuda Vahanam
- On the evening of the fifth day, Venkateswara and Garuda are carried in a procession and decorated with garlands of flowers.[11] Every year, the Tirupati Venkateswara garland is sent to the Srivilliputtur Andal Temple for the marriage festival of Andal.[12]
- Hanumantha Vahanam
- On the morning of the sixth day morning, Venkateswara and Hanuman are taken out in procession.[13]
- Chakra Snanam
- On the morning of the ninth day, the Malayappa, his two consorts and the Sudarshana Chakra are carried in procession to the Varahaswamy Temple.[14] After the abhishekam and presentation of food offerings, the Sudarshana Chakra and its devotees are bathed in the temple tank.[14]
