Religious Fervour For Ankurarpanam

Religious fervour marked the 'Ankurarpanam' festival observed on Friday, in connection with the commencement of the 9-day annual Brahmotsavam of Lord Venkateswara, slated to begin on Saturday.

As part of the Ankurarpanam festival, commander-in-chief of the Lord's domain Lord Viswaksena was taken in a grand procession around the Mada streets, encircling the holy shrine of Lord Venkateswara around the 4 Mada streets. They were preceded by singers, Haridasas, children performing gymnastics, and folk artists displaying their skills.

On the first day of the festival, a Garudadhwaja (a flag with the emblem of a black Garuda) is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham.

A procession of Lord Venkateswara on the Pedda Seshavahana then proceeds around 4 streets of the main temple for 2 hours, until midnight. Ankurarpana and Senadhipati Utsavam are celebrated on the day just before the first day of the Brahmotsavam.

It is believed that Lord Brahma was the first to start this festival. He worshipped Lord Balaji on the banks of the Pushkarini in Tirupati to thank Him for the protection of mankind. Hence, the festival bears His name - "Brahmotsavam" means "Brahma's Utsav".

The procession in ancient days comprised elephants, horses, bulls and soldiers on foot and horses.

This is the first day on which Lord Venkteswara is said to have come out of his temple to give a darshan to His devotees and spent over 3 hours amidst them on the holy Mada street.

According to mythology, immense importance is attached to this prelude festival, as it is believed that Lord Viswaksena goes round the temple town inspecting the arrangements being made for the 9-day mega event.

The event, this year, will take off with the 'Dwajarohanam' on Saturday, September 11.

In course of his inspection, Lord Venkateswara also collects the sacred earth (putta mannu) required for the Yagasala situated at the Thirumalaraya mandapam situated inside the main temple complex. 'Navadhanyams' were sown in the sacred earthen pots at the yagasala for germination.

The event also heralds the conduction of puja at the Pushkarani, closeting the Srivari Temple. One of the several fresh water lakes in the Tirumala Hills is known for its historical and mythological significance as one of the assets of Lord Venkateswara, when he chose to take roots at the location. On the first day of the festivities, i.e., Dhwajarohana, the flag is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham.

The flag has an emblem of a black Garuda. It is on this day that a grand procession of Lord Venkateshwara on the Pedda Seshavahana is taken around the 4 streets of the main temple at 10 in the night, till midnight. The Lord is taken on a vehicle called Seshavahana, during the first 2 days of the festival.

Courtesy: INN