Tirumala: The Ultimate Destination of Pilgrims
Venkatadri samam sthaanam Brahmaande naasti kinchana;
“There is no place in the universe equal to Venkatadri;
Venkatesha samo devo na bhootho na bhavishyati!
no deity has ever been or will be equal to Venkatesa!”
So declares the Varaha Purana. Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the ultimate goal of all devotees from time immemorial.
The Puranas, along with the soul-stirring hymns of great savants like Tallapaka Annamacharya, the Alvars, and the Haridasas, unequivocally praise the supreme grandeur of this hallowed spot and the awesome majesty of the Lord who embodies lore and compassion.
In his mangala sloka in ‘Sri Bhashya’, the great Vaishnava acharya Sri Ramanuja declares the resplendent glory of Lord Venkateswara:
akhila bhuvana janma sthaima bhangAdi ille
“In Him, who is the cause of creation, sustenance, and dissolution of all worlds,
vinata vividha bhuta vrAta rakshaika dikshe
Sruti sirasi vidIpte brahmaNi SrInivAse bhavatu
mama parasmin semushi bhakti rUpA
Who is the sole protector of all kinds of beings,
Who is luminous in the Vedas as Brahman and is Srinivasa,
May my intellect (which is devotion in form) abide in the supreme.”
May my intellect assume the form of Bhakti in Srinivasa, the highest Reality, revealed in the Vedanta as the Lord who creates, protects, and destroys the whole universe with sportive ease and who has taken a vow to protect all creatures who seek him.
Kamban, in his celebrated Ramayana, explicitly references the Thiru Vengadam Hills1 and states that the truth enshrined in the four Vedas stands out as the eternal satya on the Vengada Hills. ‘Silappadikaram’, the great Tamil classic, calls the Holy Hills, ‘Nediyon Kunrams2’. It was, however, the Alvars who brought forth the transcendental majesty of Lord Venkateswara through their poems of praise surcharged with undiluted devotion to the Lord. Nammalvar extols Lord Venkateswara as the veritable aushadam (medicine) for curing the disease of samsara, the cycle of birth and death.
Saint Kulasekhara Alvar prays to Lord Srinivasa to grant him even the lowest birth in the holy Tirumala Hills—as a fish in the sacred Swami Pushkarini3, as a tree, or as anything on the golden hills of Lord Venkateswara
emberumaan ponmalai mEl EdhEnum avEnE
On the golden hill of my Lord, I shall become whatever He wills.
Among the Alvars, Andal, a woman saint, yearned for union with the Lord in ‘Nacciyar Tirumozhi.’ In this exquisite poetic work of rare beauty, she conveys her passionate love towards Lord Srinivasa and her desire to marry him through clouds as messengers.
Devotion to Lord Srinivasa finds its most eloquent expression in the Samkirthanas of Tallapaka Annamacharya. This fifteenth-century Telugu Vaggeyakara composed over 32,000 hymns in praise of Lord Venkateswara. It is said that not a single day passed in his life without composing at least one song in praise of the deity of Tirumala, Lord Venkateswara.
In one of his famous songs, Annamayya says thus: He who enjoys the unparalleled grace of Lord Sri Venkateswara is at once greater than a tapasvi who has knowledge and learning but grows only in body and not in the spirit of divine worship.
It is evident from the inscriptions as well as the literary works that the temple of Lord Venkateswara is invested with great antiquity. One of the earliest inscriptions (614 A.D.) found in the Tirumala temple references Samavai, a Pallava princess who presented costly jewels to Lord Venkateswara. She also arranged for the daily offering of a plate of cooked rice and holy abhisheka to the Lord.
There are also inscriptions belonging to the Chola period. A Chola queen offered to Sri Venkateswara a pattam (crown) weighing 52 kalajas of gold and set with six rubies, four diamonds, and 29 pearls. The Tirumala temple received generous patronage from the various royal families of the great Vijayanagar empire and reached unprecedented glory during the reign of the illustrious Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadevaraya.
Thus, the hoary antiquity, history, and tradition combined with the inspiring love and devotion of millions of devotees make the sacred shrine of Lord Venkateswara the most refulgent arcavatara of Lord Sriman Narayana, standing out as the living symbol of India’s priceless spiritual heritage.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the annual Brahmotsavams celebrated on the sacred hills with great pomp and gaiety attract millions of devout pilgrims from all parts of the country.
According to the Varaha and Brahmanda Puranas, Lord Brahma instituted this nine-day festival in honor of Lord Venkateswara. Sri Venkateswara Sahasranama indicates that the Lord is greatly pleased by the utsavams celebrated for Him by Brahma. The regular and punctilious conduct of the Brahmotsavam for the Lord of the seven hills is reflected in one of the Ashtothara namavali expressions:
‘Brahma Kliptotsavaya Sri Venkatesaya namah.’
“Salutations to Sri Venkatesa, who is celebrated with festivals arranged by Brahma.”
Sri Venkatachala Ithiasa Mala, a thirteenth-century work dealing with the various aspects of Sri Ramanuja’s association with Tiruvenegadam, describes in detail the conduct of the Brahmotsavam festival of Sri Venkatesa and how he enjoined Anantarya, his devout disciple, to meticulously observe the ritualistic aspect of worship and the performance of festivals to the Lord.
There is ample evidence, both historical and scriptural, that the Brahmotsavam has been conducted uninterruptedly for over 1,000 years.
The Brahmotsavams conducted for nine days start with Ankurarpanam every day. The festival deities are taken out in the morning and the evening on various richly decorated Vahanas amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras and devotional music.
This spectacular festival reaches its climax with Garuda Seva on the fifth day. It is on this night that the Lord, seated on His favorite vehicle Garuda and decked with the rarest of the temple jewels, emerges from the Vahana mandapam. Millions of devotees from across the country descend on the hills to witness the procession on this day.
Another highlight of the Brahmotsavam is the Rathotsavam on the eighth day. In the morning, Sri Malayappa Swami and His consorts mount the ratham (chariot), which is pulled along the four main streets of Tirumala by devout pilgrims who throng in thousands for this occasion.
The festival draws to a close with the ceremonial bathing of the Sudarsana in the holy tank Swami Pushkarini, called Chakrasnanam. Though every day is sacred at the temple of Lord Venkateswara, the Brahmotsavam is doubly important and worth attending. The Puranas list innumerable benefits for those who worship Lord Venkateswara on this occasion.
The festival unambiguously demonstrates that service to the Lord is the exclusive right of every individual and that His benign grace makes our lives more purposeful and joyful.
Elaborate arrangements are made by the Devasthanams for the smooth conduct of the Brahmotsavams. TTD has also arranged various cultural programs, including spiritual discourses and music concerts. Temporary shelters have been put up to accommodate more pilgrims.
Facilities are also provided to telecast various processions and functions during the Brahmotsavam.
More than 25,000 pilgrims will be provided free meals, in addition to the distribution of food packets to 10,000 devotees in the queue complex on all the days of the festival.
The Brahmotsavam of Lord Venkateswara is undoubtedly celebrated for its oriental pomp and pageantry.
Summary
The sacred site of Tirumala, home to Lord Venkateswara, is highly revered in Hinduism, with its significance highlighted in texts like the Varaha Purana and celebrated through devotional hymns by saints like Annamacharya and the Alvars. Lord Venkateswara is regarded as the supreme deity, embodying the essence of creation, preservation, and destruction. His temple, known for its ancient inscriptions and royal patronage, has been a focal point of devotion for centuries. The annual Brahmotsavam festival, instituted by Lord Brahma and celebrated with grandeur, attracts millions of pilgrims who participate in the various rituals, including the iconic Garuda Seva and Rathotsavam.
The Brahmotsavam, a nine-day festival, is a significant religious event that emphasizes the importance of service to the Lord and the blessings it brings to devotees. The festival includes daily processions, cultural programs, and the provision of meals to thousands of pilgrims. The celebration of Brahmotsavam is not just a ritual but a manifestation of the deep spiritual connection and the rich cultural heritage surrounding Lord Venkateswara, making it a profound experience for all who attend.
Important Points
- Tirumala is the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara, praised in the Varaha Purana and devotional hymns.
- Lord Venkateswara is revered as the supreme deity in Hinduism, responsible for creation, preservation, and destruction.
- The temple has a rich history with ancient inscriptions and royal patronage, especially from the Vijayanagar empire.
- The Brahmotsavam festival, instituted by Lord Brahma, is a nine-day celebration held annually at Tirumala.
- Key events of the Brahmotsavam include the Garuda Seva and Rathotsavam, which attract millions of pilgrims.
- The festival emphasizes the importance of devotion and service to Lord Venkateswara.
- Elaborate arrangements are made to accommodate and feed thousands of pilgrims during the festival.
- Cultural programs, including spiritual discourses and music concerts, are organized during the Brahmotsavam.
- The festival underscores the belief that service to the Lord is the right of every individual and brings spiritual fulfillment.
- The Brahmotsavam is a manifestation of India’s spiritual heritage and cultural richness, celebrated with grandeur.
- Thiru Vengadam Hills, also known as Tirumala Hills, are located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. These hills are renowned for housing the famous Venkateswara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. ↩︎
- Nediyon Kunrams, often associated with the Thiru Vengadam Hills, is another name that highlights the sacred and historical significance of these hills. In Tamil literature and inscriptions, “Nediyon” refers to Lord Vishnu, and “Kunrams” means hills or mountains. Therefore, Nediyon Kunrams can be translated as the hills of Lord Vishnu. This name underscores the ancient and deep-rooted reverence for this region, which is home to the revered Venkateswara Temple. The Thiru Vengadam Hills, known for their spiritual importance and natural beauty, continue to be a focal point of devotion and pilgrimage for millions of worshippers, preserving their legacy in South Indian religious and cultural heritage. ↩︎
- Pushkarini, in the context of Hindu temples, refers to a sacred temple tank or water reservoir. These tanks are typically found within or adjacent to temple complexes and are considered holy. The water in a Pushkarini is used for various religious rituals, including purification rites and ceremonial ablutions by devotees before entering the temple for worship. The concept of Pushkarini is rooted in ancient Hindu traditions, symbolizing purity and spiritual cleansing. These tanks often have elaborate architectural designs and are sometimes associated with mythological stories and legends, adding to their religious significance. ↩︎
