Vasanthotsavam is a yearly "Seva" or the service to God. This temple festival is celebrated in Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple, which is one of the richest temples in India, to celebrate the arrival of spring season. This festival is celebrated in the month of spring in the time of February to March. The Seva is offered to Sri Malayappa Swami and His consorts – Sridevi and Bhudevi. People of Andhra Pradesh use colours in the front of the temple.
Etymology of Vasanthotsavam
Vasanthotsavam is the combination of two words. The words "Vasanth" means spring season and "Utsavam" means festival in Sanskrit language.
Celebration of Vasanthotsavam
Vasanthotsavam is celebrated on the three days of Tryodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournami in the month of Chaitra. In the Gregorian calendar, Vasanthotsavam occurs between the end of March and mid-April.
History of Vasanthotsavam
The beginning of the Vasanthotsavam celebration in Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple is recorded during the period of Achyutaraya. Vasanthotsavam was started with the fund of 3000 narpanam contributed by Periya Solai, the son of the accountant in Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple.
Celebration of Vasanthotsavam
The festival starts with Ankurarpanam (sowing the 9 kind of seeds) ceremony conducted on the day of Uttarabhadra star in Hindu calendar month of Phalguna. One day before the start of the Vasanthotsavam festival, Punya Vachanam, Vaasthu Santhi and Samprokshanam rituals are performed by the temple priests. Access to these rituals is not open to public.
Abhishekam in Vasanthotsavam
On all these three days, Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts are brought to beautifully decorated Vasantha Mandapam. In Vasantha Mandapam, Abhishekam which means "Snapana Thirumanjanam" (Holy Bath with aromatic ingredients) is performed to the processional deity of Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts on first two days. It is believed to give a soothing relief to the deities from the scorching Sun.
On the third day of Vasanthotsavam, Lord Rama with Sita, Lakshmana, Lord Hanuman, Lord Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama are also taken out in procession along with Lord Malayappa Swamy and His consorts. At the end of procession, all Utsava murthies are brought to Vasantha Mandapam where "Snapana Tirumanjanam" is performed with religious fervour.
