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Showing posts from October, 2008

Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam Begins

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As caparisoned temple elephants saluted and thousands of devotees sat outside the temple watching the event occurring inside on plasma televisions. The Srivari Brahmotsavam-2008 began at the sumuhurtam of Meena lagnam with the ‘dwajarohanam’ after 6.45 in the evening. The Tirumala township dazzled with the illuminations of Lord Venkateswara , his consorts and other Hindu deities as thousands waited with bated breath for the commence of the annual event. Earlier in the evening the Malayalappa swamy was taken in a procession preceded by the Brahma ratham and other commanders of the army of Lord Vishnu -Viswaksena, Anagada and Hanumantha by the temple palanquin carriers. The chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy landed in the evening to participate in the Brahmotsavam. He walked the distance of over 150 meters from Anjaneyaswamy temple up to the temple carrying the official offerings of silk by government of AP to the deity on the occasion of the Brahmotsavam.

Lord Malayappaswamy on Chinna Sesha Vahanam - IInd Day of Brahmotsavam

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Lord Malayappaswamy on Hamsa Vahanam - IInd Day of Brahmotsavam

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Processional deity of Lord Malayappaswamy in the form of Goddess Saraswathi is taken out in procession atop Hamsa Vahanam on 2nd day of Ongoing Sri Vari Brahmotsavam at Tirumala on Thursday. TTD Chairman Sri D.K.Audikesavulu Naidu, TTD E.O Sri K.V.Ramanachary took part.

3rd day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam – Simha Vahanam

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Processional deity of Lord Malayappaswamy taken out in procession of Simha Vahanam On the third day of the Srivari Brahmotsavam , Lord Venkateswara will give darshan outside his temple to lakhs devotees who come from all over the world on his vehicle of Simha ( Lion ) . The incarnation of Lord Vishnu as the Mrugendrudu (most ferocious and strong among the animals) is an indication of Lord Venkateswara as a powerful entity born to punish the erring anti social elements on the universe for protection of the righteous, poor and the weaker sections in the society . Being a Simha , is the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as 'Narasimha' whom the puranas and legends speak in volumes of his drive against 'Dushta' ( wrong doers) and protection of the weak, poor and the god fearing persons. In the Yoga shastra – a Lion was seen as an embodiment of power and speed . The valor of Lord Venkateswara who had made such an animal as

Lord Malayappaswamy of Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam

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Processional deity of Lord Malayappaswamy along with His consorts were taken out in procession atop Muthyapu Pandiri Vahanam on 3rd day of ongoing Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam at Tirumala on Friday night. Lord Venkateswara appears before his devotees on the third day of the Srivari Brahmotsavam on a vehicle decorated with prices less and resplendent white pearls which denoted peace and patience . Legend says that pearls , a produce of sea, is formed when the dew and rain drops into pearl chip in the ocean . Even Sri Krishna wore pearl nose rings and necklaces and Lord Venkateswara hailed as “ Alankara priyudu” During the Srivari Brahmotsavam Lord Venkateswara sat proudly along with his consorts sat in a vahanam decked up milk white pearls in the shape of a pandal. The 26 th chapter of Padmapuranam refers to an umbrella made of pearls giving shade to Lord Vishnu and several contemporary poets of the bygone days had described the hood of Adisesha g

Lord Malayappaswamy of KalpavrukshaVahanam

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Processional Deity of Lord Malayapppaswamy and His consorts taken out in procession of Kalpavriksha Vahanam on the 4th day of ongoing Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam at Tirumala on Saturday. On the fourth day of Srivari Brahmotsavam, Lord Venkateswara adorns the role of Kalpa Vruksha to bless his devotees with their sought after desires for which they vow to serve and worship him . He rides on the Kalpa Vruksha vahanam and goes around the four mada streets around the temple giving darshan to thousands of people who come for witnessing the Srivari Brahmotsavam. Legend says that Kalpa Vruksha was one of the elements what erupted when the Adisesha placed his vice grip on the Mandara Mountain where the Deva- Asuras tried to steal the Amrutam (celestial liquid). All those who took shelter under Kalpa vruksha did not have problems of starvation and poverty, says the classic literature of Srimad Bhagavatham. The use of Kalpa Vruksha vahanam by Lord Venkateswara also denotes the importance given

4th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam – Sarvabhoopala Vahanam

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Lord Malayappaswamy along with His consorts Sri Devi and Bhudevi taken out in procession on Sarvabhoopala Vahanam. The Srivari Brahmotsavam the Malayalappa swamy alias Lord Venkateswara presents himself as the king of kings to his devotees who throng Tirumala on the Sarva bhoopala Vahanam. Sarva bhoopala means the Devas in charge of the earth, water and air become the pall bearers of his vehicle . Along with the Sarva Bhoopalas, the Dikpala’s of East-West and South-North etc also join in his service. “The objective is to display that all the Dikpalas of the universe were not just under the control of Lord venkateswara but also that there was no chance for misuse of office by them under his diligent vigilance and directions “ says Dr.A.V.Ramana Dikshitulu , chief priest of Tirumala Temple . They are listed in the legends of Tirumala as – Indra ( East ), Agni ( south-east) , Yama ( god of death on the South ), Niruti ( North –East) , Varuna on ( Wes

5th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam – Mohini Avatharam

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Lord Malayappa Swamy varu as Mohini Avatharam with Golden Parrot in Ivory Palanquin along with Sri Krishna Swamy Varu. On the fifth day of Srivari Brahmotsavam Lord Venkateswara stuns his devotees by appearing as a dazzling Mohini and alives up to his reputation as an “alankara priyudu ( well dressed and be-jewelled handsome personality ). At the same Lord Venkateswara appears as a child Srikrishna before his countless devotees on a pallaki ( palanquin ) made of Ivory and Rose wood presented to the Temple by the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore . As legends put it his appearance as bejeweled Mohini puts puts the Asura’s in confusion and wins the celestial battle in favour of the Devatas . The objective of the Mohini avatar is said to be to depict that the entire universe is spell bound under the Maya Mohini and that the Lord of Tirumala is the king pin and architect of this high drama in the universe. The superb decoration of the idol baffles even young damsels wo

5th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam – Garuda Vahanam

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Lord Malayappa Swamy varu on Garuda Vahanam and pilgrims in front of the Sri Vari Temple. The Garuda Vahanam on the sixth day of the Srivari Brahmotsavam is considered the most significant of all events in the festival . Garuda or the Eagle is the main and daily vehicle of Lord Vishnu . Besides being the daily transport , Garuda also said to sit atop the Dwajam on the day of Dwajarohanam ( inauguration of Brahmotsavam ) and heralded the event and invited all the Devatas for the event on earth . As the Key watcher of happenings around Lord Vishni , Garuda also supervises the course of the entire Srivari Brahmotsavam , say the legends . On the day of Garudotsavam , the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh presented the official honours to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara. Similarly traditional gifts of Tulasi garlands from Puttur temple and the decorated umbrellas from Chenna patnam were also presented to the deity on that day . Ga

5th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam –Hanumantha Vahanam

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On the sixth day of Srivari Brahmotsavam, the presiding deity of Tirumala gives his darshan to his devout followers on the Hanuman Vahanam. Hanuman is considered one of the top devotees of Lord Vishnu in one of his avatars as Lord Rama. He is also hailed as an exponent of all four Vedas, Nava vyakarana pundit and destroyer of Laka . Hanuman is considered as an embodiment of Wisdom, Muscle power, Victory, Braveness, health, over active, fearless and common sense. One of the hillocks on the Tirumala hill range is also named as Anjanadri. Known as a vary putra of Anjana born out of power of ‘tapas’, Hanuman. As one ardent devotee who carried Sri Rama on his shoulders, Hanumans association with Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Rama is nothing unsual .It is said that Lord Sri Rama had taught the secrets of Atma Tatva his most loyal disciple, Hanuman . The Sita Ramanjaneya Samvadam is the basic theme of a Telugu poetry of yester years.

Procession of Golden Chariot in connection with Sri Vari Brahmotsavam

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Processional deity of Lord Malayappaswamy along with His consorts were taken out in procession on Golden Chariot on 6th day of Ongoing Brahmotsavam at Tirumala on Monday.

6th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam –GajaVahanam

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In the evening of the sixth day of Srivari Brahmotsavam at tirumala, Lord Venkateswara enthralls the devotees on the Gaja Vahanam. Elephant as been a vehicle of the Tirumala deity from time immemorial . Elephant as a vehicle is a symbol of wealth of not only the rich but also of the deities of prominent temples in the country .The wealth of Lord Venkateswara Tirumala is wellknown as he is said to be the Kanchana brahma , the one who heard the tinkling of coins trickling into his Hundi every day in thousands and lakhs . Gaja is representing Iravata- he four ivory teethed elephant which was one of the products of the Mandira parvatam mathanam by Adishesha, says Dr.A.V.Ramana Dikshitulu ,the chief priest of Tirumala temple . The procession of Lord Venkateswara well decorated with jewellery of pearls, diamonds and other precious stones atop the Elephant chariot is a celestial sight for all of his devotees though the presence of the elephant corps of

7th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam –Suryaprabha Vahanam

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procession of Suryaprabha Vahanam On 7 th day of Srivari Annula Brahmostavam Lord Malayappa Mounted on Suryaprabha Vahanam around four mada streets in Tirumala and blessed thousands of pilgrims. The Sun is considered the cosmic effulgence that gives light and heat to us. It is the brightest star in the solar system and is deified by people from a very ancient period. The Sun is worshipped as one who cures illness, gives energy and controls climate. Hence, propitiation of the Sun god for good health and bumper harvest became part and parcel of our religious practices. Without the Sun, life on earth will be impossible. When the Sun god is displeased, natural calamities occur and plant and animal life withers. According to the Puranas, Lord Sriman Narayana is the presiding deity of the Surya mandala. The Sun god is invoked by chanting the famous Gayatri mantra at sunrise in order to ward off evil and for enlightenment. In the Samaveda, the vedic rishi proclaims that Surya is light and lig

7th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam –Chandraprabha Vahanam

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On the 7th day night of Srivari Annual Brahmotsavams Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy carried on Chandra Prabha Vahanam. If the Sun is fiery hot, the Moon is cool and refreshing. Hence the glowing lustre of the Suryaprabha Vahanam is complimented by the lambent aura of the Chandraprabha vahanam. Lord Krishna states that He is moon among stars. Besides, the Lord nourishes all herbs by becoming the sapful moon (Gita 15 : 13). Similarly, the Lord of Seven Hills is the Coolest refuge for His devotees. The soft cool rays of His mercy radiate externally from the golden hills of Tirumala. On seeing the Lord seated on Chandraprabha Vahanam, the devotees feel refreshed. According to the ancient poetic concept the Moon's presence gives joy to the entire world. It creates a heightened feeling of peace and tranquility. That being so, how much peace and serenity would pervade on witnessing the Lord's procession on Chandraprabha Vahanam.

8th day of Sri Vari Annual Brahmotsavam – Rathotsavam

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Devotees seen pulling the chariot of Lord Venkateswara and His Consorts round the four mada streets in Tirumala on Wednesday as part of the Rathothsavam. Rathotsavam on the eighth day morning of srivari annual brahmotsavam can be considered the climax of the nine-day festival. On this day the Lord and His consorts go round the temple streets on beautifully decorated ratha or chariot. Chariots were used in our country from very ancient days and many silpa texts elaborately6 describe construction of various types of chariots. Rathas or chariots in which kings and military generals traveled were drawn by horses. In the Mahabharata we find that rathas were indispensable during wars and they often determined the victory or defeat in a battle. Here Lord Srinvasa is the invincible king who Lords over all the universe. Therefore, His procession on a chariot is a reminder of His omnipotence and undiminishing splendour. Rathastham kesavam drashvra punarjan

Sri Vari Brahmotsavam concludes with Chakrasnanam

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Devotees, who came from different parts of the country, took a `holy dip' in the `Srivari pushkarini' (temple tank) in connection with the `Chakrasnanam' observed on the concluding day (ninth day) of the `Brahmotsavam' on Thursday. Religious fervour marked the occasion. Lord Chakratalwar was taken around in procession early in the morning to Varahaswamy temple where priests conducted `Snapana thirumanjanam.' Thousands of pilgrims, who congregated on the holy steps of the `pushkarini,' waiting patiently for the auspicious moment when the temple priests immersed the idol of Lord Chakra in the sacred tank, plunged into the holy waters. Hon'ble Ministers Sri Jana Reddy, Sri J.Rathnakara Rao, Dist Collector Sri Ravichandra, TTD Chairman Sri D.K.Audikesavulu Naidu, TTD E.O Sri K.V.Ramanachary, TTD Board Members Dr. Anjaiah, Sri Yadaiah, Sri Gattu Subramanayam, Sri CH.Sathyanarayana, Smt. Indira Reddy, TTD Spl Officer Sri A.V.Dharma Reddy, TTD JEO Sr