ANNAUAL VASANTHOTSAVAM


ANNAUAL VASANTHOTSAVAM (01:00 PM MAR OR APR)
(COST RS 300/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 2 LADDUS, 1 VADA, 1
UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)
The Annual Vasanthotsavam is performed in Tirumala on the auspicious days of
Trayodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournami in the month of Chaitra (March/April) every
year. According to the temple Legend, the Vasanthotsavam Festival was started
during the period of King Achyutaraya in 1460's. This annual fete was believed to
have introduced by the King to mark the arrival of Spring Season. Lord and his
Consorts are given aromatic bath on these three days which is believed to give a
soothing relief to the deities from the scorching Sun.
This three-day festival starts with ankurarpanam (sowing the nine kinds of seeds)
ceremony conducted on the day of Uttarabhadra star, one day before the
commencement of Vasanthotsavam festival.
Punyaha Vachanam (purification rites), vaasthu santhi (worship of deity and lord
of nature and their elements and natural forces as well as lord and deity of
directions and environment) and samprokshanam (sprinkling of holy water as a
symbolic representation of purification) rituals are performed by the temple
priests. Access to these rituals is not open to public.
On all these three days, Sri Malayappa Swamy and His consorts are brought to
beautifully decorated Vasanta Mandapam in a procession from the main temple. In
Vasanta Mandapam, Abhisekham which means Snapana Thirumanjanam (Holy
Bath with aromatic ingredients) is performed to the processional deity of Lord Sri
Malayappa Swamy and His consorts on first two days.
On the third day, Lord Sri Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya and Sri
Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama are also taken out in procession along with
Lord Malayappa Swamy and His consorts. At the end of procession, all the Utsava
murthies are brought to Vasanta Mandapam where Snapana Tirumanjanam is
performed with religious fervour.
Pilgrims can participate in Srivari Annual Vasanthotsavam Festival on payment of
Rs.300 per person per Ticket.

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