Brahmotsavam,Day to Day

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Brahmotsavam At Thirumala

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Brahmotsavam is a celbration of 9 days. Below we present how each day

is clebrated and what is the significance of each day.

 

 

Day 1: Pedda Seshavahana

The first day of Brahmotsavam is commenced with the hoisting of

Garuda Dhwaja (a religious flag with the sign of Eagle on it),

followed by a panaromic procession of Lord Venkateswara around the

temple. The event starts at 10.00 pm and continues till midnight. The

vehicle on which the Lord Venkateswara is carried is called Pedda

Seshavahana and is believed to be the manifestation of Adisesha (The

thousand-headed serpent, on whom Lord Sri Maha Vishnu rests in his

abode). The magnanimous march lasts for the first two day of

Brahmotsavam.

 

Day 2: Chinna Seshavahana

The second day starts with the Lord's procession, this time on Chinna

Seshavahana. The day slips away in the worship of the Lord and in the

night the deities are taken to the Uyala Mandapam for the Unjal Seva

(swinging). This is followed by procession on a Hamsavahana through

the temple streets. The Hamasavahana signifies purity, and the Hamsa

(swan) on it is known to for it is ability to differentiate between

good and bad, and said to denote peace.

 

Day 3: Simhavahana

Strength and power remain the area of concentration on the third day.

And to denote this the deities are carried on Simhavahana - a vehicle

with the Lion's emblem on it, which denotes command and authority. It

is considered that the Lord assumed the form of Narasimaha (a

mythological character who was half human and half lion) to kill the

demon named Hiranyakasipu, and to connote this the Lord Ventakeswara

uses lion as his vehicle. After the procession the deities are once

again taken to the Unjal Seva followed by an exciting ride on

Mutayalapandri Vahana; the symbol of purity.

 

Day 4: Kalpavriksha Vahana

The fourth day comprises of two processions, one on the Kalpavriksha

Vahana in the morning followed by a procession on Sarvabhoopala

Vahana in the night. Kalpavriksham is name of a tree that grants boon

and fulfils all wishes, and Sarvabhoopala means 'all the kings of

Mother Earth' where in it reminds all the kings and rulers to give

their people the first priority. The night is reserved for the

devotees to go for the Unjal pooja.

 

Day 5: Garuda Vahana

Mohini Avatarotsavam is celebrated on the fifth day to commemorate

the Lord's incarnation as Mohini and the assistance rendered by him

to the Devatas during Ksheerasagaramadhanam. The Lord is dressed like

Mohini, and is taken in a procession in a Pallaki with Lord Krishna.

After the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord and his consorts are

seated on Garuda Vahana. In the Vaishnava Puranas, Garuda is also

called periyatiruvadi, meaning the first devotee. Therefore, Lord

Venkateswara selected Garuda as his vehicle for the most important

day of the Brahmotsavam. Garuda Vahana is the greatest of all the

Vahanas. A large number of pilgrims visit the temple on this day.

Day 6: Gaja Vahana

Hanuman, the greatest devotee of Lord Ram, is the special guest on

the sixth day of Brahmotsavam. Devotees believe that they are blessed

if they catch a glimpse of the Lord on Hanumad Vahana.Unjal Seva is

not performed on the sixth day instead; Vasantotsavam (spring

festival) is celebrated. In the night, the Lord is mounted on the

Gaja Vahana, Gajam (elephant). It can be attributed to the elephant

in Gajendramoksham (story from the Mahabhaghavatam), which is saved

from a crocodile by Lord Vishnu. Therefore, the Lord is taken in a

procession seated on a Gaja Vahana during Brahmotsavam.

 

Day 7: Suryaprabha Vahana

The Lord rides on Suryaprabha Vahana (Sun chariot) on the seventh day

of Brahmotsavam. According to Hindu mythology Lord Vishnu is believed

to be the centre of the universe. And to symbolise this, Lord

Venkateswara uses the Suryaprabha (light of the Sun) Vahana. After

the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord is taken in the Chandraprabha

Vahana (moon-shaped vehicle) around the streets of Tirumala.

According to Hindu mythology, Chandra is the commander of the mind

and the king of aushadha (medicine). It is also said that riding on

the Chandraprabha Vahana is a soothing experience for the Lord that

brings peace to devotees' minds.

 

Day 8: Rathotsavam

The Lord is taken on a procession seated on a chariot also known as

Rathotsavam on the eighth day of Brahmotsavam. The idols of Daruka

(the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna) and the four horses (Saibyam,

Sugreevam, Meghapushpam and Valahakam) are placed before the

decorated idols of the Lord and his consorts. The chariot is pulled

along by devotees, who chant Govinda!, Govinda! After the Unjal Seva

in the night, the deities are taken in the Aswa (horse) Vahana.

Aswam, a symbol of energy, means 'one who runs fast'. Lord

Venkateswara travels on a horse when he goes for paruveta. It is

believed that those who witness Rathotsavam will not be reborn.

 

Day 9: Chakrasnana Mahotsavam

On the last day, Pallaki Seva and Chakrasnana Mahotsavam in the

morning and Dhwajavarohanam are performed in the evening. The

processional images are anointed with oil, turmeric powder and other

auspicious ingredients and Abhishekam is performed. Sudarsan Chakram

is given a bath in the Swami Pushkarini. The Garuda flag is then

lowered.