Tuesday 15 September 2015

16th - 24th SEPTEMBER 2015 BRAHMOTSAVAM  (9 DAYS) VENKATESHWAR TEMPLE TIRUMALA/ TIRUPATHI - LORD BALAJI POOJA BY LORD BRAHMA

Brahmotsavam 2015 - September 16 (Wednesday) to September 24 (Thursday)

Tirumala Brahmotsavam is a Hindu festival celebrated annually at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The festival continues for 9 days in the months of September and October.

It is believed that Lord Brahma was the first to start this festival. He worshiped Sri Balaji on the banks of the Pushkarini in Tirupati to thank him for the protection of mankind. Hence the festival bears his name ‘Brahmotsavam’ which means Brahma’s Utsav.

History/ Background

According to Hindu mythology the history behind this Festival traces to Lord Brahma (Creator of universe). It is believed that Lord Brahma worshipped Sri Balaji on the banks of the holy Pushkarini in Tirupati. Lord Brahma wanted to thank Sri Balaji for Balaji’s protection of mankind.

Also, the name of this Festival “Brahmotsavam” traces its roots to the worship of Lord Brahma. People of the place celebrate this Festival of Tirupati with great enthusiasm and value it.
Brahmotsavam

Importance of Brahmotsavam

Thousands of devotees every year gather to witness this grand Festival, participate in the rituals, and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swami. The complete 9 day Festival is a memorable experience for all tourists and devotees. The feeling of complete bliss and heavenly connect is often termed as “Vaikunth anubhav”.

On the first day of the Festival Garudadhwaja (flag with the emblem of a black garuda) is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. A procession then proceeds of Lord Venkateswara on the Pedda Seshavahana proceeds around four streets of the main temple for two hours until midnight.Ankurarpana and Senadhipati Utsavam are celebrated on the day just before the first day of Brahmotsavam.

In the Brahmotsav celebrations, the powerful snake transforms itself as the vehicle for god. The moral behind the prayers that are offered during Garodtsav, is to pray to God for a living with high values and morals.

The Story of Tirupati Balaji - Srinivasa

Here is the story of the great lord , Govinda , Srinivas or Balaji , the temple ( Tirupati ) of whose calls billions of devotees to his adobe each year , thus being one of the most visited holy places on Earth.
I'd present the divine story through supplementary pictures which I found in a book I bought in Tirupati.
Hope it helps . Enjoy the great mythology !


Sacrifice for World Peace

  • Once all the saints assembled to conduct a sacred sacrifice for the well-being of the world.
  • There came saint Narada. He raised the question as to whom among the three God's - Lord Brahma , Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva should the result of sacrifice go?
  • Then started the argument on who was the greatest of the Trimurti ?
  • At last saint Bhrugu was directed to find out who was the greatest God.
  • Saint Bhrugu who knew about the past , present and future acquired a third eye in his inner foot through his powerful penance.

Curse on Lord Brahma

  • Saint Brugu first went to lord Brahma. Brahma was chit - chatting with his wife Goddess Sraswati. He did not pay attention to Bhrughu.
  • The angry Bhrugu said that though Brahma had four faces and eight eyes he could not receive his guest well. So he did not deserve the sacraficial result.
  • Further , Bhrugu curses him that he would never receive prayers in a temple. Hence , Brahma has no temple.


Curse on Lord Shiva

  • Brughu set off to Kailasa , the adobe of lord Shiva.
  • There Bhrugu saw Lord Shiva and his wife Goddess Parvati engaged in Tandav ( Happy Dance ) .
  • Nandi and other disciples were absorbed in this great dance . No one received Bhrugu.
  • Pestered Brughu cursed Shiva that he will never get an idol worship in temples . Thus came into existence the custom of worshiping lords Shiva's Phallus ( Linga or Lingam ).


Witty Lord Vishnu

  • Bhrugu reached Vaikunta , the home of Lord Mahavishnu.
  • Vishnu was lying upon the snake Ananda which is his bed. Narayana ( Vishnu ) pretended not seeing Brughu and continued talking to his wife.
  • Enraged Brughu put his foot on the chest of Narayana.
  • Narayana got up calmly and fell on the feet of Brughu. While doing so he destroyed the third eye in the foot of Brughu .
  • On loosing the eye brughu lost all his arrogance. He understood his guilt and praised Vishnu. He returned to the saints and declared that Mahavishnu is the one to whome the sacrificial results be given.


End of the Third Eye

  • Lakshmi Devi's adobe is in Vishnu's chest. When Brughu put his foot on it , lord Vishnu did not get angry , instead fell at Brughu's feet .
  • This act irked Goddess Lakshmi.


Lakshmi Devi leaves

  • Mahavishnu tries to convince Lakshmi Devi, but invain.
  • She leaves Vaikunta.


Anger of Lakshmi Devi

  • The trios ( trimurthy) and saints tried to convince the truth to Lakshmi Devi.
  • But she did not care and set off to Kollapuram and began penance.


Lord's stay on Earth

  • Mahavishnu came to Earth and meets Varaha Murthy . He stays at his place.
  • As he did not have money to pay to Varaha Moorty , he granted him a boon that disciples may first visit Varaha before reaching to Vishnu's temple.
  • Hence the ritual of visiting the Varaha Moorty temple before going to the tirupati temple.


The Cow and the Calf

  • Mahavishnu starts penance sitting in a termitary.
  • During his penance Lord Vishnu was tormented by lack of sleep and food.This was told to Parvaty Devi by Narada muni .
  • On her request Lord Shiva and lord Brahma turned into cow and calf. Parvati Devi disguised as a cow heardess and sold the cow and calf to the king of Chola.


The Termitary

  • Varaha mountain was a part of the kingdom of Chola.
  • The cows to king Chola used to gaze in the forest. Lord brahma and Vishnu disguised as cow and calf also gased along with other herds. They would ooze milk every day on the termitary.
  • One day the grazier saw this and reported to the king.


Curse on King Chola

  • The next day king Chola hid near the termitary.
  • The cow oozed milk. When the cattle sheperd strike the coz with an axe , Vishnu was trying to come out . He was hurt on the face.
  • The shepherd fell unconcious . The king ran to Narayana and begged for mercy.
  • Vishnu cursed him to become a devil. He said that in the next life he would be the God of sky. He would get salvation when Vishnu gets married to his daughter.
  • Since the shepherd was the first man to see lord Vishnu on earth , his race would get the privilege to see him first in Vishnu's temple.


Vakula Malika treats Sri Hari

  • Narayana got injured. He was searching for some medicine to cure the wounds. He heard a woman chanting the name of Sri Krishna from a nearby cloister. He met a woman named Vakula Malika in the cloister. She applied some medicine on the wound and comforted Narayana.
  • During the incarnation of Narayana as Lord Krishna , Yeshoda could not see the marriage of Krishna. Knowing the sarrow of Yashoda , Krishna blessed her to fulfill her desire.
  • Yashoda took rebirth as Vakula Malika and conducted the marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavati. Thus she attains salvation.


The field ploughed for Padmavati's arrival

  • The king of sky had no children. So he made a sacrifice as directed by saint Suka.
  • When he ploughed the field used for sacrifice, he got a box. In the chest , lied a girl child draped in a lotus having thousand petals.
  • Since the child was found in a padmam ( lotus ) , she was named Padmavati.
  • The king brought her up with care and love . She grew up to be a charming lady.


Srinivasa saves Padmavati

  • Srinivasa went for hunting.
  • He sees an elephant chading a young woman. At once he sent an arrow arrow at the elephant and killed it.
  • Thus he rescued Padmavati from danger.


Love strikes

  • Padmavati did not know who the captive man was and instantly fell in love with him .
  • So did Srinivasa.
  • They did not reveal this fact to each other and left the place calmly.


Srinivasa the Kurathy

  • Srinivisa disguised as a Kurathy ( fortune teller ) and went to the kingdom of Chola. There he foretold people's future .
  • In this course he realized that Padmavati was the daughter of the King of Sky.
  • He made his way to the palace and took a fortune telling session for Padmavati. He told that the reason for Padmavati's sarrow is young man she had seen in the forest.
  • He revealed that the man was Mahavishnu and directed the king to fix marriage between Srinivasa and Padmavati.


The Marriage Proposal

  • Srinivasa gets the marriage invitation form the God of Sky.
  • He became happy and shows the proposal to Vakula Malika whome he respected as his mother.
  • She asks Srinivas how he could meet expenses of the marriage.
  • He tells her that he was going to borrow money from Kubera - the richest God.


Srinivasa Borrows from Kubera

  • Srinivas meets Kubera. Kubera lends him gold coins.
  • Srinivasa promises to pay back the debt at the end of kaliyuga ( the present ).
  • Brahma and Shiva stood as witnesses in the form of two pipal trees along the shore of the Pushkarani pond.
  • We can see these trees to date near the pond in Thirumala.



All set off to the marriage

  • Srinivasa starts off to the venue of his marriage on his vehicle - Garuda ( eagle ) .
  • All Gods , saints and ascetics arrive to the marriage of Srinivasa.


The heavenly marriage

  • God consecrated flowers and saints blessed and subjects happily celebrated the marriage.
  • Thus the marriage was conducted in splendour.


Reason behind the whole Story

  • Saint Narada informs Lakshmi Devi about the marriage.
  • She stopps penance and reaches the cloister of Aghastya , where Srinivasa and Padmavati stayed.
  • Goddess Lakshmi asked Srinivasa for justice.
  • In the Ramayan , Maya Sita went to agni , lord of fire , instead of Sita. Maya Sita was Padmavati.
  • Vishnu was Rama and Sita was Lakshmi Devi.
  • Sita asked Rama to marry Maya Sita for the sacrifice she had done. But Rama refused ad the wanted to be monogamous.
  • Rama said in the next birth he would be born as Srinivasa and marry her as Padmavati.
  • Having recollected the past , Lakshmi Devi calmed down.

Srivari Brahmotsavam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Brahmotsavam" redirects here. For the upcoming film, see Brahmotsavam (film). For other uses, see Vairamudi Brahmotsava.
Srivari Brahmotsavams
శ్రీవారి బ్రహ్మొత్సవములు
Lord Venkateswara on Gaja Vahanam..JPG
Lord Venkateswara on Gaja Vahanam during Brahmotsavams
Official nameSri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams
Also calledTirumala Brahmotsavams, Tirupati Brahmotsavams
Observed byHindus
CelebrationsMalayappa(processional deity) of Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala will be taken on different vahanams during morning and evening on 9 day festival on four mada streets encircling the shrine. The vahanams will be lead by Brahmaratham, devotees performing cultural dances and music, Archakas chanting sacred hymns, Elephant, horse march-fast etc.
ObservancesDevotees will gather along the four mada streets of the Temple to witness the Procession of the Lord. Will chant, praise and pray Lord Venkateswara
2014 date26 September - 04 October
2015 date
16 September - 24 September
14 October - 22 October
FrequencyAnnual
Related toVenkateswara Temple, Tirumala
Srivari Brahmotsavam, the Brahmotsavam at Tirumala, is an annual lunar festival at the Lord Venkateswara Temple celebrated for nine days beginning near the end of September or in early October(during Navarathri/Dasara festival - beginning of Āśvina Masa as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar).[1] The celebration attracts pilgrims and tourists from all parts of India and across the world. A Brahmotsavam is a holy cleansing ceremony in honor of Lord Brahma, and the one at Tirumala is by far the largest.[2]

Legend[edit]

The Brahmotsavam festival is one of the most important and auspicious functions in Tirupati. Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Sri Balaji at Tirupati. Brahma worshiped Sri Balaji on the banks of the holy Pushkarini in Tirupati as a way to give thanks for the Lord’s protection of mankind. Hence, this utsava bears his name as “Brahmotsavam,” which means “Brahma’s Utsavam.” In Tirumalai, Brahmotsavam is celebrated based on the Hindu lunisolar calendar beginning near the end of September or in early October.

Celebration[edit]

The Brahmotsava is performed over a nine-day period in the beginning of Āśvina Masa as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar(during Navarathri/Dasara festival) or the Tamil month of Purattasi. On the evening before the start of the first day, the rite of “Ankurarpana” (sowing of the seeds to signify fertility, prosperity and abundance) is performed along with a festival for Sri Vishvaksena (the leader of Narayana’s retinue who removes obstacles and protects worship). On the first day, the main activity is the “Dhvajarohana,” the hoisting of the Garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. This signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsava. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam and invites the Devas to attend the function. During the days of the festival, the religious activities include daily homas and processions for the utsava murti on different vahanas (chariots) that can be seen in the temple. Every evening, the utsava vigrahas are decorated with different alankarams. The concluding day is the Janma Nakshatra (birth star) of Sri Balaji, which is celebrated in a grand way with Avabhritha Utsava (special abhishekams for the utsava murti). In Tirupati, the Sudarsana Chakra is bathed in the Pushkarini and all the devotees bathe afterwards. In Aurora, a priest takes the Sudarsana Chakra on his head and takes a holy bath near the Dhvajastambham. Afterwards, the Chakra is placed on a high platform, so the devotees can walk under it and be blessed with the water dripping down from the Sudarsana. The celebration officially concludes with “Dhvajavarohanam,” the lowering of the Garuda flag. The priests pay respects to Gods and Sages with the chanting of Vedic mantras and see them off on their return to the Devaloka.
The Brahmotsavam celebration provides a unique opportunity for all devotees to participate in the festivities and utsavas and experience the “Vaikuntha Anubhava” (heavenly enjoyment and feeling) and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swami. Every year, millions of devotees witness the processions,celebrations during the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumalai. Every day of Brahmotsavam will be a feast for the eyes of the devotees who gather there. On the first day the Garudadhwaja (flag with the emblem of a black garuda) is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. A festive procession of Lord Venkateswara on the Pedda Seshavahana proceeds around the four streets of the main temple for two hours until midnight.Ankurarpana and Senadhipati Utsavam are celebrated on the day preceding the first day of Brahmotsavam.
Observations during brahmotsavas: As incredibly as the swan which separates the water content from milk, the reigning deity of the seven hills, too, on Hamsavahan, relegates the paap and blesses the bhakta based on his punya. As the powerful snake transforms itself as a vehicle for the Lord during the Seshavahan and Chota Seshavahan in the Brahmotsavam celebrations, the essence of the Sharanagati Tatva explains the moral behind this utsav. The initial prayers offered at the Dwajarohan utsav and Garudotsav is to pray for an unscathed living with high moral values, while Garuda, requested by the Lord himself to stay in the hills, guards the skies from anything untoward coming by.

Dwajaarohanam[edit]

Dwajaarohanam is a flag-hoisting festival that is held on the first day by hoisting a flag (Garudadhwaja) with a picture of Garuda (vehicle of Lord Maha Vishnu) on the top of the Dwajah Sthambham in front of the sanctum sanctorum. It is said to be a symbolic significance of formal invitation to all the deities to attend the Brahmotsavam festival. After Dwajarohanam, The Chief Minister, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh symbolically offers new silk clothes to the Lord as a mark of obeisance and thanks giving to the Lord of the Universe in a procession. This was earlier done on 5th day (Garuda Vahana) but due to heavy rush of devotees and for CM security reasons, it has been changed to Dwajarohanam day.Before any thing else happens the god will get out the sanctum sanctorum along with priests then a pooja will be conducted and then the priests and head priest will climb the on top of the dwajasthamba and will decorate it. The priests will decorate it with tulus and will do a pooja to garuda the they will tie with ropes + the dwaja sthambam. The jeeyangas will be there. Temple priests will be there along with the head priest. The gods will be there and pandits will be chanting a series of vedas and the Garuda Dwaja will be raised.They chant vedas and say many slokas many priests will be there. This is one of thee most important days of the utsavam. Thus the Brahmaotsavam has begun!

Pedda Sesha Vahanam[edit]

After the Dwajaarohanam the Lord is taken out in a procession in the evening on Aadi Sesha the thousand headed Chief Serpent God as his vehicle. Aadisesha is the seat on which Lord SriManNarayana rests in his abode Sri Vaikunta. Tirumala hills the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Lord Aadisesha. Pedda Aadisesha vahanam will be seven headed.

Chinna Sesha Vahanam[edit]

On the second day morning the Lord is taken out in a procession on Vaasuki (Serpent God) as his vehicle. In Bhagavath Geetha Lord Sri Krishna says He is Vaasuki among the serpents. Chinna Sesha Vahanam will be five headed.

Hamsa Vahanam[edit]

On the second day evening the Lord is again taken out in a procession on Hamsa (Swan) as his vehicle. Hamsa or swan means ‘pure’. Hamsa is believed to have a high intellectual capability and can distinguish good from bad.

Simha Vahanam[edit]

On the third day morning the Lord is taken out in a procession on Lion symbol as his vehicle. Lion is a symbol of royalty and power. Lord assumed the form of half man and half lion in his Narasimha Avathara. Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavath Geetha that he is the Lion among the animals.

Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam[edit]

On the evening of the third day, the Lord is again taken out in procession along with his concerts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in a palanquin decorated with a canopy of pearls. Pearl is said to be a symbol of purity and royalty.

Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam[edit]

On the fourth day of the festival the Lord is taken out in procession in the morning on Kalpa Vruksha as his vehicle signifying that he is the giver of boons to his devotees and fulfills their wishes.

Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam[edit]

On the fourth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession on a vehicle called as Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam signifying that He is the Lord of Lords.

Mohini Avatharam[edit]

On the fifth day morning the Lord is taken out in procession decorated in the attire of Mohini Avatharam (Ksheera Sagara Madhanam) the one who has distributed the Divine Nectar.

Garuda Vahanam[edit]

On the fifth day evening the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession specially decorated, with his main devotee and chief vehicle Garuda (Garukmantha) the king of birds as his vehicle. It is a unique occasion when thousands gather together and would like to witness the procession. It is believed and said that it is highly meritorious and mukthi pradham to have darshan of the Lord seated on Garuda,the vahana of lord vishnu

Hanumantha Vahanam[edit]

On the sixth day morning the Lord is taken out in procession with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle.[3] Hanuman was the personification of the most trusted and self less service to the Lord in his avathara as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga. Undoubtedly Lord Hanuman was the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama.

Swarna Rathotsavam / Gaja Vahanam[edit]

On the sixth day evening the Lord is taken out first for Swarnarathotsavam and then in procession on Elephant (Gaja) or Airavatham as his vehicle. We find in Sri Madbhagavatham (Gajendra Moksham) Lord instantly coming to the rescue of Gajendra and get him relieved from the clutches of the Crocodile.

Surya Prabha Vahanam[edit]

On the seventh day morning the Lord Venkateswara is taken out in procession with Sun God driving the Chariot. Purusha Sooktha describes Sun as born from the eyes of Lord SrimanNarayana (Chaksho! Suryo Ajayathah!). Sun is said to be an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu (Surya Narayana) .

Chandra Prabha Vahanam[edit]

On the seventh day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Moon as symbol of his vehicle. Purusha Sooktha describes Moon as "Chandrama Manaso Jaathaha" (Moon is born from the mind Lord Maha Vishnu). Moon is the commander of mind and is a symbol of cool and pleasantness. Both these rituals are symbolic significance that He is the cause for day and night.

Rathostavam[edit]

On the penultimate day (eighth day) morning the Lord Venkateswara is taken out in procession along with his concerts seated on a fully decorated Chariot pulled by the devotees with the chanting of Govinda Nama Smarana. Tirumala will be flooded with devotes to witness this occasion. It is believed and said that those who witness the Lord seated on the Chariot during Rathostavam will not be reborn. Idols of Daruka the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna and four horses are placed before the Lord on the chariot. one should be blessed to witness this @ Tirumalai.NA MO NARAYANAYAI...

Ashwa Vahanam[edit]

On the eighth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Aswa (Horse) as his vehicle symbolizing the forthcoming Kalki Avathara. Lord Venkateswara used to ride on a horse during hunting of wild animals. Lord assumed the form of Horse head during his avathara as Hayagreeva.

Chakra Snanam[edit]

On the ninth day morning, last day of the Brahmostavam, special abhishekam (Avabhrutha Snanam) is held for utsava moorthy of Lord Venkateswara and his concerts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in the complex of Lord Varaha Swamy temple on the banks of Swamy Pushkarini. Later, the Sudarshana Chakra (Disc weapon of the Lord) is immersed in the waters of Swamy Pushkarini. We find large number of devotes simultaneously taking a dip in the Pushkarini waters at that time. It is believed and said that one will get absolved from sins by taking a dip in Swamy Pushkarini simultaneously along with the Sudarshana Chakra on this day.

Dwajaavarohanam[edit]

On the ninth day evening the Garuda flag will be lowered as a mark of completion of the Brahmostavam.The jeeyangas will be there along with priests. They will chant various mantras. It is performed in the dwajastamba mandapa. The priests will then lower the garuda dwaja and the festival will soon be completed.

Utsava Murthis (mobile deities)[edit]

DAY
MORNING
EVENING
FIRST

Pedasesha Vahanam.jpg

Pedda Sesha Vahanam
SECOND

Malayappa in Chinnasesha Vahanam.jpg

Chinna Sesha Vahanam

Malayappa in hamsa vahanam.jpg

Hamsa Vahanam
THIRD

Malayappa in simha vahanam.jpg

Simha Vahanam

Malayappa in mutyala pandiri vahanam.jpg

Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam
FOURTH

Malayappa in kalpavriksham vahanam.jpg

Kalpavriksha Vahanam

Sarvabhoopala Vahanam
FIFTH

Mohini Avatharam

Garuda Vahanam
SIXTH

Hanumantha Vahanam

Malayappa in swarnarathotsavam.jpg

Swarnarathotsavam
&
Gajavahanam
EIGHTH

Brahmotsavam.jpg

Rathotsavam

Ashwa Vahanam
NINTH

Chakra Snanam

See also[edit]




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