Vasanthotsavam in Tirumala

Vasanthotsavam is an annual spring festival conducted around 2 p.m, for three days, on Thrayodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournami in the month of Chitra (English Calendar Months March / Apirl). During this period, The Lord Sri Venkateswara and His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are taken out in a procession and brought to the Vasantha Mandapam. Then Abhishekam is performed. On the Third day, the Idols of Sri Rama along with Seetha, Lakshmana and Anjaneya and Sri Krishna with Rukhmini and Sathyabhama are brought to Vasantha Mandapam in procession. This festival was started by Vilambi, Son of Temple Accountant.

Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam in Tirumala Temple

Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is conducted around 11 a.m, four times in a year in accordance with Agama Sastra. This festival is held before Ugadi ( which is Telugu New Year), before Anivara Asthanam, before Vaikunta Ekadasi, and before the Annual Brahmotsavam. The ritual relates to the purification of the Sanctum sanctorum and the premises of the Temple.

All the Idols and articles within the Sanctum are removed and the main deity inside Ananda Nilayam is covered with Water proof cloth. The sanctum including the floors, ceilings and walls are cleaned and brushed. The entire area is then cleaned thoroughly with water and smeared with vermilion, camphor, sandalwood paste, saffron, turmeric etc. Then the covering to the main deity is removed and all the articles and the other idols are replaced at their positions. After completing this event, the purificatory worship is carried out and Naivedyam is offered to the deity.

Pavitrotsavam in Tirumala

Pavitrotsavam is an annual pruficatory ceremony seeking explanation for any ins which may have been committed during the performance of the daily rituals and worship of the Lord Sri Venkateswara in the Temple. Pavitrotsavam is performed around 8 a.m for four days along with the chanting of vedas, recitation of Prabandam and performance of Homas.

It starts from the Dasami (10th day) of Sukla Paksha ( bright half of the moon) during Sravana masam (August month). After the rituals, the deity is decorated with Pavitrotsavam garlands of five colors that look like garland of beads. This festival was initiated during the rule of Saluva Narasimha.

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Pushpayagam in Tirumala

Pushpayagam is held after the Annual Brahmotsavam around 6 a.m, on the daya of Sravana Nakshathram, which is the birth star of Lord Sri Venkateswara. Ankurarpanam will be performed prior to Pushpayagam.

After the Daily Pujas, the Utsava murthi, Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy, along with His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, are worshipped with a large variety of flowers and sweets.And in the evening these deities are taken out in a procession.

Teppotsavam in Tirumala

Teppotsavam is annual festival which is celebrated on Phalguna Pournami (full moon) in the Swamy Pushkarini (The Sacred Temple Tank) for five days.

It starts at 6 p.m on the first day, Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana are worshipped.

On the second day, Sri Krishna and Rukmini are offered worship.

During the remaining three days, from Thrayodasi till Pournami, Malayappa Swamy, that is the processional deity of Lord Venkateswara and His Consots Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are worshipped. The deities are worshiped in a decorated float erected in the Swamy Pushkarini.

Abhideyaka Abhishekam

Abhideyaka Abhishekam is three day festival which start around 8 a.m and is meant to protect the processional deities from damage while conducting processions and during Abhishekams or Thirumanjanam (The Holy Bath). Abhideyaka Abhishekam is held in month of July, when the star Jyeshta is in ascendance. So it is called Jeyshtabhishekam.

On the first day after Abhishekam, the Utsava murthy Malayappa Swamy is brought to the Kalyanotsava Mandapam in the Sampangi Pradhakshinam along with His consorts. After Snapana Thirumanjanam, the deities are decorated with Vajra Kavatcham, that is, armour studded with diamonds and taken along the Thiru Maada Streets, the Temple Streets, in procession.

On the second day, after Abhishekam, the deities are decorated in Muthyala (Pearls) Kavatcham and taken out in procession.

And on the third day, they are adorned with Swarna ( Gold) Kavatcham that remains on the deities through out the year.

Padmavathi Parinayam

Padmavathi Parinayam is an annual celestial wedding festival celebrated in the month of May in the specially arranged Kalyana Mandapam ( Marriage Hall) in the Narayana Gardens, Tirumala. Festival commences at 3 p.m.

It is three-day celebration that is performed in the evening and is conducted on Navami, Dasami and Ekadasi in the month of Vaisakha. The processional deity arrives on Gaja (Elephant), Ashwa (Horse) and Garuda (Eagle) Vahanams and His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi arrived on separate palanquins.

After the wedding ceremony is performed each day, the deities sit in Koluvu (Darbar) in the Kalyana Mandapam. During this time, Cultural Programmes like Harikatha, dance and music are held. The Utsava murthys are returned to the Sanctum each day.

Pushpa Pallaki in Tirumala

As per the tradition, the temple account begins from Dakshinayana, in July. Anivara Asthanam, the grand Darbar festival of the Lord is celebrated on that day, usually on the 16th of July. On the same day, the accounts of the previous year are submitted to the Lord Sri Venkateswara and a new account is started with the opening of a new book.

It starts around 5:30 p.m. All the main Temple T.T.D officials keep their insignia of office at the  feet of the Lord Sri Venkateswara and take them back. A new account book is opened to mark the new financial year. It symbolizes the Lord’s approval and His finding them fit to hold their posts.

And in the evening, the Utsava murthy along with His Consorts, are taken out in a procession along the main street in a lavishly decorated floral palanquin

Adyayanotsavam in Tirumala

Adyayanotsavam is an annual vedic festival when the Vedas, Tamil Prabandhams and Nammalwar’s Thiruvaimozhi are recited in the temple. Adyayanotsavm is conducted on the Mukkoti Ekadasi day and is held for 20 days.

During this festival, the Utsava murthys are taken around the temple amidst the chanting of Nalayira Divya Prabandham of the Alwars.

And The last day is Sattumurai day.

Ratha Sapthami in Tirumala

On Ratha Sapthami day, the Utsava murthy is taken around on the Surya Prabha Vahanam. Three more processions then take place with the deity seated on the Sesha Vahanam, Gaja Vahanam and Hanumantha Vahanam.

After Teerthavari and Second Archana to the Idol, the Utsavamuthi again goes on procession on Sarva bhoopala Vahanam, Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam , Chandra Prabha Vahanam and Chakrasnanam. Thus Seven processions on Seven Vahanams take place before Sunset.

Ratha Sapthami also called as Surya Jayanthi

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Brahmotsavam in Tirumala

The Brahomotsavam is the most important and glittering festival in Tirumala.One can witness a sea of humanity enjoying the grand events on all the day of the festival. Temple area , The Temple and the Chariot are magnificently decorated.

According to the Varaha Purana, Lord Brahma performed this festival for the first time in the month of Asvayuja as per Salivahana Calendar (September – October) when the sun is in the Kanya Rasi. The present Brahmotsavam is celebrated for 9 days continously. It is believed that the festival originally commemorated the day Lord Venkateswara took Avatar on Tirumala Hills.

According to ‘Venkatachala Mahathyam’, in the twenty-eighth Yuga before the present Kaliyuga, Sri Venkateswara appeared before Brahma and other gods and Rushis, Kings and devotees on a Monday when the Saravana Nakshatram was ascendant. It was the Sukla Paksha Dwadasi of Kanya Masa as per solar calendar ( Bhadraprada Asvayuja masam according to Lunar Calendar) . It is also said that Lord Brahma Worshipped Lord Sri Venkateswara on the banks of Swamy Pushkarini. Hence this festival is called as Brahmotsavam.

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