# Srivari Brahmotsavam

Sri Venkateswara Swami Vari Brahmotsavam or Srivari Brahmotsavam is the most significant annual fête celebrated at the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala-Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, India. which falls between the Telugu calendar of Aasveeyujamu and the Gregorian calendar months of September or October.
The Utsava-murti (processional deity) of the presiding deity, Venkateswara, and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken on a procession on several vahanams on the streets surrounding the temple. The celebration attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over India and around the world. A Brahmotsavam is a cleansing ceremony in honor of Lord Brahma, and the ceremony at Tirumala is the largest.

## Etymology

The word Brahmotsavam is a combination of two Sanskrit words—Brahma and utsavam (festival)—and Brahma reportedly conducted the first festival. Brahma also means "grand" or "large". Srivari Brahmotsavam is also known as "Venkateswara Salakatla Brahmotsavams" and "Venkateswara Navaratri Brahmotsavams".

## Two festivals

When there is an extra month in the Telugu calendar, two Brahmotsavam are held viz., Salakatla and Navarathri. Both festivals were held in 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2023
Brahmotsavam 2024
This year, in 2024, since there is no Adhika Maasa, there will only be one Brahmotsavam, which is the annual Salakatla Brahmotsavam.
The Salakatla Brahmotsavam and the Navaratri Brahmotsavam will be held together..
The TTD Brahmotsavam 2024 will take place from October 3 to October 12.
In Salakatla Brahmotsavam, Rathotsavam (Big Chariot) is held on the morning of the eighth day; during Navaratri Brahmotsavam, Golden Chariot (Swarna Rathotsavam) is held that morning of the eighth day. In Salakatla Brahmotsavam, there will be flag hoisting (Dwajarohanam) on 1st day and flag-lowering (Dwajaavarohanam) on the evening of the ninth day.

## History and legend

According to the legend of Tirumala, Brahma descends to earth to conduct the festival. Sri Venkteswara Sahasranamastotra refers to Brahma performing the festival, signified by a small, empty wooden chariot (brahmaratham) which moves ahead of the processions of the Venkateswara processional deity Malayappa.
The first reference to festivals in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was in 966 CE, when the Pallava queen Samavai endowed land and ordered its revenue to celebrate festivals in the temple. Until 1582, Brahmotsavams were held as often as 12 times a year.

## Celebrations

The Brahmotsavam is held over nine days at the beginning of the Hindu calendar month of Āśvina, paralleling Navaratri. The evening before the first day, the rite of Ankurarpana (the sowing of seeds to signify fertility and abundance) is performed. The main first-day activity is Dwajarohana, the raising of the Garuda flag to signify the beginning of the festival. Religious activities during the festival include daily homas and processions on streets surrounding the temple. The final day commemorates Venkateswara's birth star. The Sudarshana Chakra is bathed in the temple tank with the devotees. The Chakra is then placed on a high platform, and the devotees walk under it and are blessed with its dripping water. The festival ends with Dhvajavarohanam, the lowering of the Garuda flag.

### Dwajarohanam

    A ceremony on the first day, when a flag with a picture of Garuda (the vehicle of Vishnu) is hoisted over the temple. The flag is believed to be a symbolic invitation to the Hindu deities to attend the festival. After the ceremony, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister offers new silk clothes to Venkateswara.

### Garuda Vahanam

    On the evening of the fifth day, Venkateswara and Garuda are carried in a procession and decorated with garlands of flowers. Every year, the Tirupati Venkateswara garland is sent to the Srivilliputtur Andal Temple for the marriage festival of Andal.

### Hanumantha Vahanam

    On the morning of the sixth day morning, Venkateswara and Hanuman are taken out in procession.

### Chakra Snanam

    On the morning of the ninth day, the Malayappa, his two consorts and the Sudarshana Chakra are carried in procession to the Varahaswamy Temple. After the abhishekam and presentation of food offerings, the Sudarshana Chakra and its devotees are bathed in the temple tank.

## Procedure

* First day
** Morning : Dwajarohanam
** Evening : Pedda Shesha Vahanam
* Second day
** Morning : Chinna Sesha Vahanam
** Evening : Hamsa vahanam
* Third day
** Morning : Simha Vahanam
** Evening :Mutyala pandiri vahanam
* Forth day
** Morning :Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam
** Evening :sarvabhoopala vahanam
* Fifth day
** Morning :Mohini Avatharam
** Evening :Garuda Vahanam
* Sixth day
** Morning : Hanumatha Vahanam, Vasanthotsavam
** Pre Evening : Swarna Rathotsavam
** Evening :Gaja Vahanam
* Seventh day
** Morning :Surya Prabha Vahanam
** Evening :Chandra Prabha Vahanam
* Eighth day
** Morning :Rathotsavam
** Evening :Aswa Vahanam
* Ninth day
** Morning :Pallaki utsavam, Chakra snanam
** Evening :Dwaja avarohanam