Friday, March 31, 2017

Venkatachalapathy Temple, Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram – Festivals

Venkatachalapathy Temple, Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram – Festivals
Month
Festivals
April – May
Brahmotsavam
May – June
Varushabishegam in Swathi Star
July – August
Pakshiraja Abishekam
August – September
Pavithra Urchavam (Uriyadi)
September – October
Garuda Sevai on every Saturday and on Tiruvonam Star day.
Pari Vettai (Horse riding) on Vijaya Dasami day
November – December
Karthikai Deepam
December – January
Thiruppalli Ezhuchi Vaikunda Ekadasi
January – February
Kanu Oonjal Urchavam
March – April
Garudothsavam and Ennai Kappu on last Saturday
Garuda Sevai is the most famous festival celebrated in the temple. It is celebrated on each Saturday and on Thiruvonam Star day in the Tamil month Vaikasi corresponding to September – October every year. During this time the small village is flooded with people from nearby towns and villages and also from various parts of the country to have the blessings of Lord Srinivasa (Maha Vishnu). A very big gathering beyond the comprehension of the village is made every year. The local authorities take lot of care to manage the crowd.
During this festival, Lord Srinivasa comes out of the temple in procession on his Garuda vahanam and showers blessings to all of us. The last Kumbabishekam (temple renovation and rejuvenation) was performed on Feb 6, 2012, with great fanfare and lots of rituals. His Holiness Tirupathi Jeer was present on the occasion. Garuda Sevai was also performed on that evening with the new urchava moorthy (processional deity).