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Brahmothsavam: Malayappa Swamy
49) Brahma klupthOthsavaaya SrI VenkatEsAya nama:
 
Salutations to Lord VenkatEsa , whose annual festivities are scheduled and conducted by Brahma Deva according to Vikhaanasa aagama rules !  

As part of the narrative by Brahma to Vamadeva Rishi, the former recounts the tale of how he (Brahma), out of his overwhelming devotion and the desire to worship the Lord of Seven Hills in vividly various attire and carriers, commenced the performance of an annual ten-day event. Since the utsavam was undertaken by Brahma, it came to be known as Brahmotsavam and is celebrated every year, till date.
 
Describing the glory of this magnificent annual event, the Vamana Purana tells us that anyone who takes even a step towards Tirumala for participating in this utsavam, acquires the merit flowing out of the performance of a Yaga. Provision of food, shelter etc. to devotees arriving at Tirumala to witness this grand event would bestow magnificent merit (Punya) on the generous souls, says the Purana.
 
There is another version, based on the Varaha Purana. After destroying the asuras infesting Tirumala at the request of Brahma and others, the Lord agreed to the latter's request for the performance of a Brahmotsavam. Brahma had special and magnificent streets, townships and parks created by Visvakarma (the divine architect) for this purpose, made special arrangements befitting the Coronation of the Supreme, made the impending event known to all in the universe and performed the utsavam in a manner befitting the Paramatma, in the month of Purattasi, beginning in the Shukla Paksha on the star Chitra . Pleased at Brahma's devotion and fervour, the Lord has blessed those who undertake performance of this annual event with all that they could desire on this earth and a sojourn at Brahmaloka, thereafter.  
 
A few words regarding "Utsavam".
 
The term "Utsavam" denotes something which affords infinite pleasure ("Utsoote harsham iti Utsava:"). Could there be anything more pleasurable than the sight of the infinitely beautiful Parama Purusha Venkatesa, bedecked in all His finery, adorning the streets of Tirumala along with His Consorts?
 
"Savam" denotes a sacrifice or Yaga. "Utsavam" indicates Yaga of an exalted order, the highest of sacrifices. Among the numerous Yagyas mentioned in the Vedas, like Jyotishtomam, Asvamedham, Vaajapeyam etc., all of which are after all forms of worshipping the Parmapurusha, this (Brahma's mode) form of worship is not only infinitely more pleasurable for the onlookers, but affords manifold merits, compared to other forms of Yagyas. Hence the name "Utsavam" for this magnificent ten-day event.
 
BrahmOthsavam at Thirumala is an occasion , when bhakthAs flock from all corners of the world ( Bhu lokam and Deva lokam ) and jostle with each other to get the darsanam of the Lord in splendid attire and jewelery . On the first day of Brahmothsavam (DhvajaarohaNam day) , Garudan is sent to Sathya lOkam to invite Brahma to come to Thirumala to conduct the Lord's festival .Gods like Indhra , Yama , Kubera, Agni , Vaayu and sages like Vasishta and Viswaamithra accompany Brahama
to witness this splendid festival of Brahmothsavam for nine days.
 
Lord of Venkatam hills is taken around the raaja veedhis of Thirumala in different vaahanams in the morning and in the evening.
In between are unjal sevais . Each vaahanam has its own significance to convey the different tatthvams and messages of the Lord of Sapthagiri . On the evening of the first day and the morning of the second day , the Lord travels around in Pedda and Chinna Sesha Vaahanams respectively to honor His ancient daasan ( Aadhi sEshan) , who has manifested as the Sesha Hills ( SeshAdhri) to hold the Lord on His head .
 
The other Vaahanams adorned by the Lord of Thirumala on subsequent days are:
 
Hamsam(Swan)  , Simham ( Lion ) ,  Kalpaka Vruksham ( Boon granting
divine tree) , Garudan , HanumAn , Gajam ( Elephant) , Surya Prabha,
Chandra Prabha , RaTam ( Chariot ) , Sarva bhupaala vaahanam ,Pallakku
( Palanquin ) and Asvam (Horse). The fifth day of Garuda Vaahanam and
the eighth day of Rathothsavam attract the largest number of devotees . 
 
On the ninth day , the Chakram (Sudarsanam ) is given a  bath (Chakra SnAnam ) in Swamy PushkaraNi while the Lord watches His Sankalpa sakthi ( power of volition) take His bath and conclude the uthsavam . As a final formal act , the Garuda Dhvajam is lowered (Dhvajavarohanam)  until the next Brahmothsavam ; the gods take the Lord's permission and recieve His blessings prior to returning to their homes .
 



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