Considered the biggest annual holy festival in the country, Tirumala Brahmotsavalu are indeed celestial bliss on earth. This grand celebration has so much to its credit that there needed to be a detailed description about the entire festivities. We were in awe of the ordeal. Get ready to be amazed!
History
It’s believed that Lord Brahma was the first one to start this celebration 5000 years ago according to legend.
But historically these celebrations are known to have begun in 966 A.D. The north wall of the Garbha Gudi is said to have the “saasanam” of when and how these utsavalu are meant to take place.
Photos of inscriptions on the temple walls
Source: The Hindu
Up until 1300 A.D. there used to be two Brahmotsavalu in a year in Tirumala. And until the 1800s the number grew as Emperors of various kingdoms hosted Brahmotsavalu whenever they vistied.
Source: Kosta Life
Rituals
Preparation begins with cleaning the temple with a rich paste of camphor saffron and sandalwood.
Source: anudinam
A day before the festival, a small amount of earth is collected as an invocation to Bhoomi Devi, in which 9 kinds of seeds are sown as Ankurarpanam.
Source: tirumala
The festival begins with Dhwajarohana signaling the start of the grand fete. The high priest of the temple hoists the flag carrying the picture of Garuda atop the Dhwajasthambham.
Source: The Hindu
Each day the Lord’s procession happens on a different Vahana or carrier. Amongst the various sevas of the different days in the nine-day festival, Garuda Seva is the most popular amongst the devotees.
Source: tirumalabalaji.in
Chakrasnanam, the ritualistic bath after the yagna is given to the deities in the Temple Koneru. Devotees aim to take a dip with the deities simultaneously during this ritual, to rid them of their mortal sins.
Source: The New Indian Express
Brahma Ratham a small empty chariot moves ahead of the processions both times in the day during the festival.
6th Day Swarnaratham of Brahmotsavam
Source: tirumala
Every year it is believed that Lord Brahma descends from the heavens for the Brahmotsavalu and hence devotees sing praises to him on the last day.
Source: tirumala
In Numbers
The Tirupati Laddu is sold round the clock during Brahmotsavalu. Last year 1.8 million of them were sold.
Fun Fact: TTD is applying for patenting the Tirupathi Laddu. Another Fun Fact: 2015 marks the 300th years of the existence Tirupathi Laddu as we know it.
Source: travelbeats
3 helicopters sanctioned by Chittoor Tourism Department for bird eye view of the Utsavalu to the devotees.
Source: The Hindu
Tirumala is equipped to hold 2.5 lakh devotees at a time in its arena, except the number of devotees might be a lot more than that this year considering the increasing numbers every year.
One can only imagine the grandiose of this mammoth festival. Srivari Brahmotsavalu can only be experienced in its full potential by actually being there.












