Brahmotsavams are back

TIRUPATI: The annual Brahmotsavams are back with `Govinda Govinda' chant resounding in the Tirumala hills. The nine-day mega celebrations of Lord Venkateswara, which kicks off on Monday, is one of the most popular religious festivals in the world, which draws lakhs of pilgrims from all parts of the country.
According to Varaha Purana, Brahmotsavams commemorate the first festival to be performed to Lord Balaji of Tirumala by none other than Lord Brahma, the creator himself and hence the name.
Prior to 966 AD, it was said that Brahmotsavam was organised in Tirumala by the queen of Pallava dynasty, Samavai, who first installed the statue of Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy idol in the temple and conducted two Brahmotsavams that year during Tamil Purattasi month and during Mukkoti Dwadasi time. Thus, the legend has it that the first Brahmotsavam was organised in the 10th century.
According to epigraphic evidence, the next Brahmotsavams were performed almost after a gap of 300 years in the 14th century AD during Veeranarasimha Yadavaraya period. These Brahmotsavams were known as `Tirukkodai Tirunal' which were conducted thrice in a year at Tirumala and twice in Tirupati during the `Adi' masam (month).
Interesting facts came to light in epigraphic studies that in the middle of the 16th century the Brahmotsavams were organised 10 times in a year except in the months of Vaikasi and Ani. It was conducted for 12 days then. Talking to TOI, a temple priest said: "Till a few decades ago, Brahmotsavams were celebrated four times a year in the months of Purattasi, on Rathsapthami day, Kaisika Dwadasi and on Mukkoti Ekadasi day. Later, the Brahmotsavams began to be held once a year for nine days."
For the first time in the early '80s over one lakh pilgrims witnessed the Brahmotsavams. By 1999, the figure rose up to five lakhs in nine days while in 2008 the pilgrim turnout crossed over 12 lakhs - a record in the temple history. The TTD officials are expecting a pilgrim turnout of nearly 15 lakhs this time.