Brahmotsavam Festival in Andhra Pradesh

Brahmotsavam is a magnificent nine-day festival celebrated with exceptional enthusiasm at the renowned Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateshwara Temple annually. The festival derives its name from Lord Brahma, who initially inaugurated it at the Tirupati Temple, thus it is referred to as Brahmotsavam, or Brahma's Utsavam. It is deemed the most sacred of all festivals in Tirumala.

Legend has it that Lord Brahma worshipped Sri Balaji at the Tirumala Tirupathi Temple along the sacred banks of the Pushkarini River, expressing gratitude for the deity’s protection of mankind. The festival is marked by substantial traditional zeal and splendor. Devotees witness religious processions daily, where the idol of Sri Venkateshwara, also known as Balaji, is paraded through the streets in various chariots, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants seeking blessings.

Visitors often describe experiencing profound bliss and a celestial connection while attending the Brahmotsavam Festival at the Tirupati Temple, an experience they term “Vaikunth Anubhav.” Numerous rituals are performed throughout the nine days. Among them is "Ankurarpana," a significant ceremony on the eve of the festival's commencement, involving the sowing of navadhanyas (nine types of grains) in mud pots, symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and abundance.

The festival officially begins with “Dwajarohanam,” where a Garuda-emblazoned flag is hoisted on the Dhvajastambham to summon the deities to the festivities. It is believed that 30 million deities respond to this call and participate in the celebrations.

Location:

Tirumala Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Month of Celebration:

Typically between September and October.