Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams (TTD) is surging with devotees influx owing to the annual Navarathri Brahmotsavams celebrated in the hill top shrine of Shri Balaji. Today being the fourth day of the nine day celebrations. The Lord Venkateswara being the boon giver takes ride on Kalpa Vruksha to bless his devotees with their sought after and wishful desires for which they vow to serve and worship him whole-heartedly. Kalpa Vruksha started well at 9am, is seva underway till 11 am.
The evenings are more festive and the celebrations are more jubilant with the Unjal seva between 7pm to 8pm which shall be followed by the precession of the Lord with his consorts on the 'Sarva Bhupala Vahanam'. The night shall culminate with the Navarathri special that shall be between 11 pm to mid night.
Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Sri Balaji at Tirupati. Hence, this utsava bears his name as “Brahmotsavam,” which means “Brahma’s Utsavam.”
Well as a chronicle to the ongoing festivals Wishesh would like to refresh the memories of our readers by giving a gist as to what happened the last three days to four days at the shrine.
As a prelude to the annual Navarathri Brahmotsavams, On Sunday the temple performed ‘Ankurarpanam’ festival. In connection with the festival Ekantha Thirumanjanam was conducted to Lord Viswaksena, the commander-in-chief of the army of Lord’s domain and to the ‘parivara devathas’ inside the main temple followed by a series of special rituals.
On the first day, Monday the Lord was taken out on a procession of ‘Golden Tiruchi’ in the morning. It was the Unjal Seva (swing festival) for the Lord in the evening. Later the day ended with the Lord Malayappa Swamy along with his two divine consorts mounted atop the golden Pedda Sesha Vahanam being taken out in a procession in the temple streets.
On the second day, Tuesday, the Lord was taken out in a procession on Vaasuki (Serpent God) as his vehicle. Later the day ended with the Lord being taken out in a procession on Hamsa (Swan) Vahanam. Wishesh brings out a special focus on this utsavam for the benefit of our readership. Keep watching this page on a regular basis to know what happens on the divine hills during these Brahmotsavams.
On the third day, Wednesday, the Lord was taken out in a procession on his Simhavahanam seva, in the morning. Evenings started with the usual Unjal Seva followed by the precession of the Lord with his consorts on the 'Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam' (Pearl or Oyster).
OM NARAYANA NAMAHA... (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)
