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The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, is gearing up to host the annual Brahmotsavam from September 30.

Brahmotsavam Festival at Tirupati - Live Updates

The Tirumala Venkateswara temple, along with being the richest temple, is also the most visited place of worship in the world. Built in the 8th century, this temple witnesses about 50,000-100,000 pilgrimage visits every day. During the Brahmostav Festival in September, the temple is visited by about a million devotees in the span of a week. The festival takes place over a span of nine days and is also termed as the Brahma's Utsavam or Lord Brahma's festival. In 2019, it will be held from 30th September to 8th October 2019.

Brahmotsavam at Tirupati 2019 Dates

30th September 2019 to 8th October 2019

Venue of Brahmotsavam Festival

Tirupati Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati

Festivities & Celebrations at the Brahmotsavam Festival

The festival is celebrated with great vigour and attracts a large number of devotees every year. On the first day, 'Anurarpana' ritual is performed along with the ceremony of paying respect to Shri Vishvaksena. The Anurarpuna ritual signifies ripeness, richness, success and abundance.

A procession dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara is also seen on Pedda Seshavahana and covers four streets of the temple for over two hours till midnight.

During the nine days of the festival, religious activities like homas and processions (vahanam) of various idols are taken out on chariots, both in the morning and evening at the temple.

The 9 Days Of Brahmotsavam

Dwajarohanam

Dwajarohanam meaning flag hoisting is held on the first day. A flag bearing the image of Garuda (Mount of Vishnu) on the top of Dwajasthabam of the temple is hoisted amidst the chanting of the Vedas. This symbolises the formal invitation which is given to the deities to attend the Brahmotsavam Festival. Before the flag hoisting ceremony, there is a procession of the deities. As a tradition, after the dwajarohanam, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh offers new silk clothes to the Lord.

Pedda Sesha Vahanam

After Dwajarohanam, in the evening, there is a procession of Lord Venkateshwara on Adi Sesha, the thousand-headed chief serpent which is known as Pedda Sesha Vahanam

Chinna Shesha Vahanam

This is held on the second day when the Lord is taken out on Vaasuki (Serpent God). Chinna Sesha Vahanam is five-headed.

Hamsa Vahanam

The Lord is again taken out in a procession in the evening on the second day on Hamsa (swan). Hamsa signifies purity and high intellectual capability.

Simha Vahanam

The Lord is taken out in a procession on a lion on the third day. This is held in the morning and symbolises power. It is believed that Lord Venkateshwara assumed the form of a half lion and half man in his Narasimha Avatara.

Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam

Held in the evening on the third day, the Lord is taken out in a procession with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, his consorts. They are taken in a palanquin decorated with an umbrella of pearls.

Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam

The Lord is again taken in a procession on Kalpa Vruksha as his vehicle. This signifies that he is the giver of boons and fulfils all the wishes of his devotees.

Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam

On the fourth day (evening), the Lord goes out in a procession on a vehicle called Sarva Bhoopala. This signifies that he is the Lord of Lords.

Mohini Avatharam

Decorated in the attire of Mohini Avatharam, one who distributed the Divine Nectar, Lord Venkateshwara again goes out in a procession. This procession is held on the fifth day and starts from the temple in data pallaki accompanied by Lord Krishna in the other pallaki (palanquin).

Garuda Vahanam

In the evening on the fifth day, the Lord goes out in a finely decorated procession with his chief devotee and vehicle, Garuda (the King of Birds). Thousands gather to witness this grand spectacle. It is considered extremely auspicious to witness this sight.

Hanumantha Vahanam

Lord Hanuman is Lord Venkateshwara’s vehicle for the procession on the sixth day. Lord Hanuman is believed to be the most trusted devotee of the Lord.

Swarna Rathotsavam

In the evening on the sixth day, Lord Venkateshwara is taken out first for Swarnarathotsavam and then on an elephant as his vehicle.

Surya Prabha Vahanam

On the seventh day, the Lord is taken out on a procession with the Sun God as his chariot. Sun is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu.

Chandra Prabha Vahanam

In the evening, the Lord again goes out in a procession with Moon as his vehicle.

Both these rituals on the seventh day signify that Lord Venkateshwara is the cause of days and nights.

Rathostavam

On the second last day, the Lord goes out in a procession along with his consorts on a beautiful Chariot pulled by his devotees. There is chanting of Govinda Nama Smarana. There is a belief that those who witness this are liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Ashwa Vahanam

With Ashwa (horse) as his chariot, the Lord goes out in a procession. This is a symbol of the forthcoming Kali Avatar. Lord Venkateshwara used to ride a horse while hunting wild animals.

Chakra Snanam

On the last day of Brahmotsavam, a special tradition is observed called Avabhrutha Snanam. It is held for Malayappa and his consorts along with Sudarshan Chakra. Later, the Sudarshan Chakra is immersed in Swamy Pushkarini.

Dwajaavarohanam

On a ninth day, the Garuda flag is lowered as a mark of completion of the festival. The priests chant various mantras and rituals are performed in Dwajastamba and mandapa.

Schedule of Brahmotsavam 2019

30th September Dwajarohana at 5:00 PM

Pedda Sesha Vahanam at 9:00 PM

1st October Chinna Sesha Vahanam at 9:00 AM

Hamsa Vahanam at 9:00 PM

2nd October Simha Vahanam at 9:00 AM

Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam at 9:00 PM

3rd October Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam at 9:00 AM

Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam at 9:00 PM

4th October Mohini Avatharam at 9:00 AM

Garuda Vahanam at 7:30 PM to 12:00 PM

5th October Hanumantha Vahanam at 9:00 AM

Swarna Rathotsavam at 5:00 PM

Gaja Vahanam at 9:00 PM

6th October Surya Prabha Vahana at 9:00 AM

Chandra Prabha Vahana at 9:00 PM

7th October Rathostavam at 6:00 AM

Ashwa Vahanam at 9:00 PM

8th October Chakra Snanam at 6:00 AM

Dwajavarohanam in the evening

Legends & Myth of Brahmotsavam

The festival is a thanksgiving to Lord Brahma. According to legends, it is believed that Lord Brahma first worshipped Lord Balaji at the catchment area of the holy Pushkarini river to thank the Lord for his blessings to humankind. Hence, the festival is named after him as he was the first one to conduct it at the Tirupati Temple.

Relevance Of The Festival

The main reason to celebrate this festival is to thank God for providing a blissful life which is full of high values and morals. The importance of the festival is reflected in the fact that thousands of devotees come to Andhra Pradesh for this festival and take part in the various festivities and rituals which take place on the nine days of the festival to seek the blessing of the Lord. They often describe it as heavenly and blissful (Vaikunth Anubhav).

How to reach the temple?

Tirupati accessible through road, rail or air, from where Tirumala can be reached by road or foot.

How to reach by road?

Direct buses to Tirumala are available from Tirupati, Chennai, Bangalore and Vellore. Pilgrims can also opt for cab and bus services offered by private transport aggregators. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has announced that the transport corporation will be undertaking more than 2000 trips a day to transport devotees to and from the temple.

On October 4, close to 3000 trips will be undertaken to help devotees witness the Garuda Vahana Seva.

Road transport is barred from entering the ghat section between 12 am to 3 am everyday.

TTD also has an automobile clinic which offers assistance to vehicles in case of a breakdown.

Is Tirupati accessible by rail?

There are trains available from every major city in India to Tirupati everyday. Once passengers travelling by train reach Tirupati, they can reach Tirumala by bus, taxi or foot.

How to reach the temple by air?

Pilgrims can take a flight to Renigunta which is the nearest airport to Tirupati. From there, once can take a bus or cab to Tirumala.

Can one reach the temple by foot?

Many pilgrims reach the temple foot. The TTD has provided two stone footpaths (sopanamargas) to Tirumala. One path is 11 km long and leads from Alipiri to Tirumala, while the second sopanamarga is 6 km long and leads from Chandragiri to Tirumala. Well-maintained rest houses, canteens, toilets, drinking water, medical aid and security are provided to travellers along the two footpaths.

What facilities are available for the Brahmotsavam?

TTD has announced that the temple management will be providing free transportation, food and water services to pilgrims visiting the temple for the Brahmotsavam. However, it is to be noted that no plastic items will be served or are permitted to be carried to the Tirupati temple.

Further, over 35 LED screens will be set up at vantage points along the mada streets and other places in Tirumala and Tirupati to enable devotees to view the rituals during the festival. TTD has also created a provision to facilitate the parking of 8500 vehicles at the hill-shrine, with additional parking lots at Alipiri, where one of the stone footpaths to Tirumala begins.

How about security?

In a bid to prevent any untoward incidents during the Brahmotsavam, officials have announced that the town will be kept under strict surveillance for nine days, with over 1400 CCTV cameras, 1000 vigilance staff and 4000 policemen expected to oversee security arrangements at Tirumala.

Om Namo Narayanaya