Festivals in Tirupati
Tirupati-Tirumala a holy land of Hindus celebrates many festivals with enthusiasm and happiness. The devotees decorate their Lord idols and temples. The most auspicious festival of Tirupati is Brahmotsavam. Utsavam means festival. The auspicious festival day is treated as very important day on which special prasadam is prepared. The devotees believe that visiting the temple on this auspicious day will help them get better future.The major festival celebrated in this town are Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Rama Navami, Janmashtami, Brahmotsavam celebrated (an important festival celebrated in September), Vasanthoutsav, Radhasaptami, etc. The most important festival celebrated amongst all is Brahmoutsavam.
Important festivals celebrated in Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple are Navarathri festival (Dasara), Kartheeka Brahmotsavam, Float festival, Vasanthotsavam and Rathasapthami. The other festivals are celebrated in Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari Temple like Avatharotsavam for 3 days.
The other festivals celebrated in Lord Ganesha temples include Vinayaka Utsavam, Annabhishekam, Karthika Deepam, Float Festival, Maha Sivarathri, Skanda Sashti, Arudra Darsanam Utsavam, Devi Navarathri Utsavam, Kamakshi Devi Chandana Alankaram and Nithyabhishekam.
The festivals celebrated in all other temples include annual Brahmotsavams, Navarathri, Giri Pradakshina (Konda Chuttu Thirunallu), Andal Neeratotsavam, Panguni Uttarotsavam, Varalakshmi Vratham, Float festival, Anivara Asthanam, Ratha Sapthami, Ugadi Asthanam, Sreerama Navami, Chaitra Pournami, Andal Thiruvadipuram Utsavam, Deepavali Asthanam, Vaikunta Ekadasi & Dwadasi, Karthika Deepam and Dhanurmasam, Surya Puja, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Andal Neeratotsavam, Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanumu, Rathasapthami, Kanchi Garuda Seva, Gokulashtami, Maha Sivaratri, Pradoshakala Puja (performed every Thrayodashi, twice a month) and Kala Bhairava Astami (monthly).
Skanda Shashthi in Tirupati
It is celebrated on the sixth day in the month of Aippasi as destruction of evil by supreme power. Brahmoutsavam in Tirupati
The nine day celebration of the Brahmoutsavam festival starts few days before where the cleaning of the idol of Lord Venkateshwara. The preparation of the festival is done by decorating temple, decorating palkii, Nava Dhyanam, performing homas, Poorna kumbha, etc. The first day Dwajarohanam, pedda Sesha Vahanam, second day activity Chinna Sesha Vahanam and Hamsa Vahanam, third day activity involves Simha Vahanam and Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam, fourth day activity includes Kapilvriksha Vahanam and Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam, fifth day activity involves Mohini Avataram and Garuda Seva, Sixth day activity includes Hanumantha Vahanam and Swarna ratham, Gajavahanam, seventh day activity includes Suryaprabha Vahanam and Chandraprabha Vahanam, on eighth day rathoutsavam is celebrated and in evening Aswa Vahanam and on the last day of the auspicious festival Pallaki Utsavam, Chakrasananam and Golden Tiruchi Utsavam, dwajavarohanam are celebrated.
The story behind the festival as narrated in Varaha Puranam is-“ the creator of the world Lord Brahama celebrated the festival firstly in honor of Lord Venkateshwara and hence the festival was named Brahmotsavam. The festival is celebrated in Sep-Oct during sharad Navratri. The ninth day of festival is celebrated as the jayanti of Lord Venkateshwara. Other festivals celebrated in Tirupati are Vasantotsavam (March/April), Teppotsavam (Boat Festival in July/August), Pavitrotsavam (Kartikam in November/December), etc.
Arjita Brahmotsavam in Tirupati
Arjita Brahmotsavam is mini Brahmotsavam which costs Rs500 per 5persons. The devotee gets the choice of vehicle to make their God sit on that vehicle. The boat festival is not celebrated at the time of mini Brahmotsavam.Dolotsavam in Tirupati
Dolotsavam is a festival celebrated by decorating Lord Venkateshwara along with his consorts the swing or boat which floats in Pushkarini (water tank).Adhyayanotsavam in Tirupati
In the month of Maargaseersh (Dec-Jan) the Vaikunth Ekadashi is celebrated. Sri Malyapa Swami and his consorts are taken out during the festival. Before Vaikunth Ekadashi the preparation of the festival starts. The festival is celebrated for 20 days. The first 10 days are termed as Pahalpaththu and the next 10 days are Raapatththu.Pavitroutsavam in Tirupati
On Shukla Dashami this five day purification festival is celebrated in the month of Shravana (June-July).Makar Sankranti in Tirupati
On the day when Sun starts its journey towards North so it is known as Uttaryan. It is celebrated in the mid of the month of January. The planetary position of Sun changes and it enters Makar rashi.Chandramaana Yugadi in Tirupati
In the month of Pratipada (March-April) Chandramaana Yugadi is celebrated. The festival is celebrated for 40days.Vasanthotsavam in Tirupati
Vasanthotsavam is a festival of colors, celebrated for 3days. The color spray is played between Lord Venkateshwara and his consorts along with devotees. The cost to be paid to enjoy the color festival is Rs.3000 per 10person.