2021 Pavithrotsavam Tirupati Kodanda Rama Temple:
The three-day annual Pavitrotsavams in Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple in Tirupati will be observed from 4th August to 6th August with Ankurarpana on 3rd August. During this utsavam, Pavithras, the garlands made from special thread, were taken in a procession and used to decorate Lord Kodandaramaswamy and his consorts. This annual Pavitrotsavams will be observed in Ekantam due to Covid 19.
About Pavithrotsavam:
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTDs) celebrate Srivari Pavithrotsavam every year on the important days of Ekadasi, Dwadasi and Trayodasi in the month of Sravana as per Hindu calendar. This festival is known as the “Festival of Purification”.
This festival was first instituted by Saluva Mallaiah Deva Raja in 1463 A.D. at Tirumala during the period of Saluva Narasimha as per the inscription 157 present in Srivari Temple.
During these three days, Tirumanjanam and Homam are performed to the main deity and as well as primary idols of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
As a prelude to this purification festival, Ankurarpanam is performed a day before where nine types of cereals are sowed in an earthen container which marks the beginning of the festival.
The significance of the festival is that the priests symbolically seek the pardon of the Lord for their acts of all omissions and commissions committed either knowingly or unknowingly during the performance of daily rituals to the presiding deity inside the temple all throughout the year.
On the first day of Pavithrotsavam, Homam (Prayer to Sacrificial Fire) is performed at Yagasala situated inside the temple followed by Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) for about two hours to the processional deities with sandal, turmeric, milk, curd and honey.
In the evening the processional deities are taken out for a pleasure ride around four mada streets, blessing pilgrims who converge to witness the grandeur of Lord Malayappa Swamy draped in dazzling Gold and diamond jewels.
On the second day, after Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) special puja is performed on the silk-woven holy threads called “Pavithralu” which are the sanctified threads. The unique feature of this thread is that it has five colors which are Black, Blue, Red, Yellow and Green.
“Pavitralu” will be tied around the head, neck, waist, etc of the Lord before being taken for the procession. They are also tied to various deities inside the temple as well as deities of sub-temples located inside the prakaram including Ananda Nilaya Vimana Venkateswara Swamy, Yoga Narasimha Swamy etc. and also to Lord Sri Bhuvarhaswamy located adjacent to Swami Pushkarini.
These holy silk threads are woven out of a special variety of high-quality cotton which is grown exclusively in the land that is meant to grow the Tulasi plant which is considered to be sacred for Hindus.
On the third, the sacred Homam is performed followed by Snapana Tirumanjanam, followed by rituals like Visesha Samarpana, procession along four mada streets and concludes with Purnahuthi which takes place inside the main temple.