Monday, December 20, 2010

Seventh Day Brahmotsavam Celebrations is on Suryaprabha Vahana


On the morning of the seventh day, the Lord rides on Suryaprabha Vahana (Sun chariot).
Surya (the Sun), the son of Aditi, is another form of Lord Vishnu (Surya Narayana).
Hindu mythology supports the heliocentric theory, and believes that Lord Vishnu is the centre of the universe (dhyassada savitrumandala madhyavarthi). To symbolise this, Lord Venkateswara uses the Suryaprabha (light of the Sun) Vahana.
After the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord is taken in the Chandraprabha Vahana (moon-shaped vehicle) around the brightly-lit streets of Tirumala.
Chandra means the Moon, which is considered cool and pleasant. According to Hindu mythology, Chandra is the commander of the mind (chandrama manaso jataha). He is also the king ofaushadha (medicine).
It is believed that riding in the Chandraprabha Vahana is a soothing experience for the Lord. The Lord's contentment will bring peace to devotees' minds and result in a good crop.

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Sixth Day Brahmotsavam Celebrations on Gaja Vahana

On the morning of the sixth day, the deities are carried on a beautifully-decorated Hanumad Vahana.
Hanuman was one of the greatest devotees of Sri Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Hanuman served the Lord so faithfully, that even the Lord could not thank Hanuman enough. Devotees believe that they are indeed blessed if they catch a glimpse of the Lord on Hanumad Vahanam.
Unjal Seva is not performed on the sixth day. Instead, Vasantotsavam (spring festival) is celebrated.
In the night, the Lord is mounted on the Gaja Vahana.Gajam (elephant) is also called the samajam(born from Samaveda). It symbolises wealth (gajamtam aishwaryam). It also symbolises the Airavatam – the vehicle of Devendra, the head of the heavens in Hindu mythology. It also can be attributed to the elephant in Gajendramoksham (story from the Mahabhaghavatam), which is saved from a crocodile by Lord Vishnu.
Therefore, the Lord is taken in a procession seated on a Gaja Vahana during Brahmotsavam.

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Fifth Day Brahmotsavam Celebrations is Mohini Avatarotsavam

On the fifth day, Mohini Avatarotsavam is celebrated to commemorate the Lord's incarnation as Mohini, in the morning
According to legend, the Devatas and the Demons performed Ksheerasagaramadhanam that resulted in amrit (nectar which when consumed grants immortality) and other sacred qualities. The Devatas and the Demons fought for possession of the Amrit. Lord Vishnu then assumed the form of Mohini (a beautiful woman) and procured the Amrit for the Devatas.
The Lord is dressed like Mohini, and He is
taken in a procession in a Pallaki (palanquin).Lord Krishna is also taken in the same procession. This is to celebrate the assistance rendered by Lord Vishnu to the Devatas during Ksheerasagaramadhanam.
After the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord and his consorts are seated on Garuda Vahana. Lord is decorated with Mahaakanti, Sahasranaramala that day.
According to the ancient Hindu texts, Garuda, the king of birds, is a replica of the Vedas (vedatma vihamgeswara), while Lord Vishnu is the God of the Vedas. Therefore, the Lord sees Himself in Garuda. In the Vaishnava Puranas, Garuda is also called periyatiruvadi, meaning the first devotee.
Therefore, Lord Venkateswara selected Garuda as his vehicle for the most important day of the Brahmotsavam. Garuda Vahana is the greatest of all the Vahanas. A large number of pilgrims visit the temple on this day.

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Fourth Day Brahmotsavam Celebrations is Kalpavriksha Vahana

On the fourth day, the deities are carried in a Kalpavriksha Vahana in the morning.
Kalpavriksham is a tree that is believed to grant boons and fulfil devotees’ wishes. The vehicle shaped like the Kalpavriksham signifies that the Lord grants boons and fulfils the wishes of his devotees.
In the night, after the Unjal Seva, the deities are carried in a Sarvabhoopala Vahana.
Sarvabhoopala means 'all the kings of Mother Earth'. According to the Hindu religion, kings, like Lord Vishnu, should always protect their people (na vishnuhu prithivi pathihi).
To thank Lord Vishnu for his ideals and pray to him, the kings take the form of the Sarvabhoopala Vahana on the fourth day of Brahmotsavam.

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