Tirumala Brahmotsavam

About Tirumala Brahmotsavam Festival

Also known as Srivari Brahmotsavam and Sri Venkateswara Swami vari Brahmotsavam, the Tirumala Brahmotsavam is the biggest festival celebrated in Tirumala-Tirupati, located in the Chittoor district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India at the Sri Venkateswara Temple, every year.

According to the traditional Hindu calendar, this day is celebrated at a stretch of nine days during the month of Ashwin, which as per the Gregorian calendar falls in the month of September or October. This year in 2017, this day will be observed on the 23^rd of October, which is a Monday.

When the festival takes place, the processional deity—traditionally known as the Utsava-Murti of Lord Venkateswara, who is the presiding deity, is taken on a procession alongside his consorts: Sridevi and Bhudevi, on different vahanams (holy vehicles of the lords) on the lanes that surround the temple of Sri Venkateswara. Many devotees residing not just in the state of Andhra Pradesh but also from other states of India gather here during the festival as pilgrims and take part in the entire stretch of nine days of rituals and festivities. Traditionally, Brahmotsav refers to a sacred cleansing ceremony in honor of the creator of the universe: Lord Brahma, and among all the Brahmotsavs that take place in India, it is the one held at Tirumala, which is considered to be the largest.

There are four main streets that surround the temple of Sri Venkateswara, and the devotees gather in these four streets to watch the holy procession that takes place on day one of the Tirumala Brahmotsav.

All the devotees during the procession as well as after it, sing praises in the form of songs and hymns for Lord Venkateswara. The other aspects of the festival include traditional music and dances.