Brahmotsavam Festival at Tirupati, Tirupati Overview
The Tirumala Venkateswara temple, along with being the richest temple, is also the most visited place of worship in the world. Built in the 8th century, this temple witnesses about 50,000-100,000 pilgrimage visits daily. During the Brahmostav Festival in September, the temple is visited by about a million devotees in the span of a week. The festival takes place over a span of nine days and is also termed Brahma's Utsavam or Lord Brahma's festival. In 2024, it will be held from 3rd October to 11th October.
Brahmotsavam in Tirupati 2024 Dates
3rd October 2023 to 11th October 2024
Venue of Brahmotsavam Festival
Tirupati Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati
Festivities & Celebrations at the Brahmotsavam Festival
The festival is celebrated with great vigour and attracts a large number of devotees every year. On the first day, 'Anurarpana' ritual is performed along with the ceremony of paying respect to Shri Vishvaksena. The Anurarpuna ritual signifies ripeness, richness, success and abundance. A procession dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara is also seen on Pedda Seshavahana and covers four streets of the temple for over two hours till midnight.
During the nine days of the festival, religious activities like homas and processions (vahanam) of various idols are taken out on chariots, both in the morning and evening at the temple.
The 9 Days Of Brahmotsavam
Dwajarohanam
Dwajarohanam meaning flag hoisting is held on the first day. A flag bearing the image of Garuda (Mount of Vishnu) on the top of Dwajasthabam of the temple is hoisted amidst the chanting of the Vedas. This symbolises the formal invitation which is given to the deities to attend the Brahmotsavam Festival. Before the flag hoisting ceremony, there is a procession of the deities. As a tradition, after the dwajarohanam, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh offers new silk clothes to the Lord.
Pedda Sesha Vahanam
After Dwajarohanam, in the evening, there is a procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Adi Sesha, the thousand-headed chief serpent which is known as Pedda Sesha Vahanam
Chinna Shesha Vahanam
Chinna Vahanam at Tirupati Tirumala (Source) This is held on the second day when the Lord is taken out on Vaasuki (Serpent God). Chinna Sesha Vahanam is five-headed.
Hamsa Vahanam
The Lord is again taken out in a procession in the evening on the second day on Hamsa (swan). Hamsa signifies purity and high intellectual capability.
Simha Vahanam
The Lord is taken out in a procession on a lion on the third day. This is held in the morning and symbolises power. It is believed that Lord Venkateshwara assumed the form of a half lion and half man in his Narasimha Avatara.
Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam
Held in the evening on the third day, the Lord is taken out in a procession with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, his consorts. They are taken in a palanquin decorated with an umbrella of pearls.
Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam
The Lord is again taken in a procession on Kalpa Vruksha as his vehicle. This signifies that he is the giver of boons and fulfils all the wishes of his devotees.
Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam
On the fourth day (evening), the Lord goes out in a procession on a vehicle called Sarva Bhoopala. This signifies that he is the Lord of Lords.
Mohini Avatharam
Brahmotsavam Festival Source
Decorated in the attire of Mohini Avatharam, one who distributed the Divine Nectar, Lord Venkateshwara again goes out in a procession. This procession is held on the fifth day and starts from the temple in data pallaki accompanied by Lord Krishna in the other pallaki (palanquin).
Garuda Vahanam
In the evening on the fifth day, the Lord goes out in a finely decorated procession with his chief devotee and vehicle, Garuda (the King of Birds). Thousands gather to witness this grand spectacle. It is considered extremely auspicious to witness this sight.
Hanumantha Vahanam
Lord Hanuman is Lord Venkateshwara’s vehicle for the procession on the sixth day. Lord Hanuman is believed to be the most trusted devotee of the Lord.
Swarna Rathotsavam
In the evening on the sixth day, Lord Venkateshwara is taken out first for Swarnarathotsavam and then on an elephant as his vehicle.
Surya Prabha Vahanam
On the seventh day, the Lord is taken out on a procession with the Sun God as his chariot. Sun is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu.
Chandra Prabha Vahanam
In the evening, the Lord again goes out in a procession with Moon as his vehicle. Both these rituals on the seventh day signify that Lord Venkateshwara is the cause of days and nights.
Rathostavam
On the second last day, the Lord goes out in a procession along with his consorts on a beautiful Chariot pulled by his devotees. There is chanting of Govinda Nama Smarana. There is a belief that those who witness this are liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
Ashwa Vahanam
With Ashwa (horse) as his chariot, the Lord goes out in a procession. This is a symbol of the forthcoming Kali Avatar. Lord Venkateshwara used to ride a horse while hunting wild animals.
Chakra Snanam
On the last day of Brahmotsavam, a special tradition is observed called Avabhrutha Snanam. It is held for Malayappa and his consorts along with Sudarshan Chakra. Later, the Sudarshan Chakra is immersed in Swamy Pushkarini.
Dwajaavarohanam
On a ninth day, the Garuda flag is lowered as a mark of completion of the festival. The priests chant various mantras and rituals are performed in Dwajastamba and mandapa.
The festival is a thanksgiving to Lord Brahma. According to legends, it is believed that Lord Brahma first worshipped Lord Balaji at the catchment area of the holy Pushkarini river to thank the Lord for his blessings to humankind. Hence, the festival is named after him as he was the first one to conduct it at the Tirupati Temple.
The main reason to celebrate this festival is to thank God for providing a blissful life which is full of high values and morals. The importance of the festival is reflected in the fact that thousands of devotees come to Andhra Pradesh for this festival and take part in the various festivities and rituals which take place on the nine days of the festival to seek the blessing of the Lord. They often describe it as heavenly and blissful (Vaikunth Anubhav).
How To Reach Tirupati
Airways-There are regular flights from all major cities to Tirupati Airport at Renigunta. Railways-The accessible railway stations are Renigunta Junction, Tirupati Main and Anantarajupet.
Thus, the Brahmotsava is a grand gala time for the pilgrims who get enamoured by the grandeur and charm of this festival. The rituals performed on all the nine days are indeed a delight for every devotee.
