Vasanthotsavam

Vasanthotsavam is an annual Seva celebrated in Tirumala to celebrate the arrival of spring season.

Vasantotsavam is the combination of 2 words - "Vasantha" (Spring season in Sanskrit) and "Utsavam" (festival in Sanskrit). The festival is celebrated on the three days of "tryodasi", "chaturdasi" and "pournimi" in the month of Chaitra [cite web|url=http://www.tirumala.org/sevas_perdes.htm#vas|title=TTD Annual Sevas - Vasanthotsavam|publisher=TTD official website|accessdate=2008-04-18] In the Gregorian calendar, the festival occurs between the end of March through mid-April.

History & start

The start of the festival celebration in Tirumala is recorded during the period of Achyutaraya (Saka 1460). The festival was started with the fund of 3000 narpanam contributed by Periya Solai, the son of the accountant in the temple.cite book|last=N|first=Ramesan|title=The Tirumala Temple|year=1981|publisher=TTD|location=Tirupati]

Function

The festival starts with "ankurarpanam" (sowing the nine kind of seeds) ceremony conducted on the day of Uttarabhadra star in Hindu calendar month of Panguni. One day before the start of the Vasanthotsavam festival, "punya vachanam" (purificatory 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" rituals are performed by the temple priests(sacred consecration).cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/12/stories/2006041210620300.htm|title=Vasanthotsavam begins|publisher=The Hindu|date=2006-04-12|accessdate=2008-04-18] Access to these rituals are not open to public.

"Abhishekam" - specifically called "Snapana Thirumanjanam" (Holy bathing), is performed to the "utsava murthy" and his consorts on all the three days in the Vasanthotsavam hall outside the temple premises. On the third day, abhishekam is performed to the idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman along with Krishna and Rukmini.Procession of the consecrated idols are taken in a procession in the evening on all the three days. The

The Vasanthotsavam hall was demolished as part of the revamping of the temple surroundings in 2006 and since then the Vaibhavotsava Mandapam situated in front of the main temple is used for the festival.

Venkateswara with Sridevi and Bhudevi

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Krishna with his consort Rukmini devi

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Rama with his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita
Hanuman Idol

Pilgrim participation

Vasonthotsavam is a "arjitha seva" - paid service where pilgrims pay to view the ceremony. Each ticket costs Rs 3,000 ($75) and allows 10 people. Apart from entry to the abhishekam hall, the ticket holder receives one silk duppata for men, a blouse piece for the women, 20 dosas, 6 vadas and temple "annaprasadams" (rice based blessed food). [cite web|url=http://www.tirumala.org/sevas_per.htm|title=Annual Sevas|publisher=Tirumala official website|accessdate=2008-04-18]

References

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