Tirumala: Brahmotsava Vaibhavam

Lord Venkateswara-The Supreme Saviour

The puranas state unequivocally that the image of Sri Venkateswara is a self - manifest and not sculptured by any mortal. It is believed that almighty Lord Vishnu has assumed the form of Venkateswara in the present Kaliyuga to bless HIS devotees. He fulfils the desires of the devotees instantaneously. Like Lord Krishna in Dwapara yuga, Lord Venkateswara offers HIS benign protection to HIS worshippers in distress. HIS temple situated at the head of the Seshaparvatha is a cynosure of all eyes. The very sight of the Hill bestowed Moksha on humanity as Sri Maha Vishnu manifested himself and ordained that Venkatachalam will be the best of hills and declared, “I shall reside on the top of Venkata Giri with my consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. I shall thereafter bestow boons on mankind as they ask for”. This was a boon given to celestials and the humanity is now enjoying the Lord’s Boon!!! Thus the Vedas which acknowledged to have no beginning speak of this Sacred Hill as a holy abode of Lord Vishnu. It is no wonder that the sage Ramanuja in his life time in the 12’h century held Venkatadri in the highest esteem as a very sacred mountain and hesitated to step on it with his mortal feet!

There is no place in the entire universe which is equal to the holy Venkatadri. There is no other God equal to Lord Venkateswara-The Supreme Saviour.

Brahmotsavam-A Festival of Splendour and Opulence

The Brahmotsavam at Tirumala, according to the Puranas was instituted by Lord Brahma. It is said Brahma sought the permission of the Lord to celebrate the festival to commemorate HIS manifestation. After obtaining HIS consent, Brahma performed a grand festival for the first time and it is celebrated with all its glitter and glory even today. Historically speaking, the credit for introducing Brahmotsavam at Tirumala goes to Samavai, a PaUava princess. According to inscriptions, she inaugurated two festivals to be celebrated in the months of Purattasi (Bhadrapada) and Margali (Aswayuja). At present the temple conducts two Brahmotsavams. One every year in Purattasi month (September-October) and the other Brahmotsavam is conducted once in three years caUed adhikamasa Brahmotsavam. It customarily begins with Dhwajarohanam - which marks the beginning and concludes with Dhwaja Avarohanam, marking the success of the festival. Every day is a festival at Tirumala. But Srivari Brahmostavam is unique in all respects. The pomp and pageantry associated with the festival is something to be experienced and cherished. Piligrimage to Tirumala during Brahmotsavam is a spriritual treat to make the humdrum life meaningful and blissful.