Brahmotsavam

Srivari Brahmotsavams శ్రీవారి బ్రహ్మొత్సవములు
Lord Venkateswara on Gaja Vahanam during Brahmotsavams
Official name	Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams
Also called	Tirumala Brahmotsavams, Tirupati Brahmotsavams
Observed by	Hindus
Celebrations	Malayappa(processional deity) of Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala will be taken on different vahanams during morning and evening on 9 day festival on four mada streets encircling the shrine. The vahanams will be led by Brahmaratham, devotees performing cultural dances and music, Archakas chanting sacred hymns, Elephant, horse march-fast etc.
Observances	Devotees will gather along the four mada streets of the Temple to witness the Procession of the Lord. Will chant, praise and pray Lord Venkateswara
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala

Sri Venkateswara Swami vari Brahmotsavam or Srivari Brahmotsavam is the most important annual fête celebrated at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala-Tirupati of Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh, India. The event is conducted for nine days during Hindu Calendar month of Āśvina which falls in between the English months September and october.

During the festival, the Utsava-murti (processional deity) of the presiding deity Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, will be taken on a procession on different Vahanams on the streets(Madaveedulu) surrounding the temple.The celebration attracts pilgrims and tourists from all parts of India and across the world. A Brahmotsavam is a holy cleansing ceremony in honor of Lord Brahma, and the one at Tirumala is by far the largest.

The Brahmotsavam is one of the most important and auspicious festivals in Tirupati. Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati. Brahma worshiped Venkateswara on the banks of the holy Swami Pushkarini in Tirupati as a way to give thanks for the Lord’s protection of mankind. Hence, this utsava bears his name as "Brahmotsavam," which means "Brahma’s Utsavam." In tirumala, Brahmotsavam is celebrated during month of Aswayuja (according to the Salivahana calendar) beginning near the end of September or in early October.

The Brahmotsava is performed over a nine-day period in the beginning of Āśvina Masa as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar(in parallel with Navarathri/Dasara festival). On the evening before the start of the first day, the rite of "Ankurarpana" (sowing of the seeds to signify fertility, prosperity and abundance) is performed along with a festival for Vishvaksena (the leader of Narayana’s retinue who removes obstacles and protects worship). On the first day, the main activity is the "Dwajarohana," the hoisting of the Garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. This signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsava. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam and invites the Devas to attend the function. During the days of the festival, the religious activities include daily homas and processions of utsava-murti on different Vahanas on mada streets(roads surrounding the Temple). Every evening, the utsava-murtis are decorated with different alankarams. The concluding day is the Janma Nakshatra (birth star) of Sri Venkateswara, which is celebrated in a grand way with Avabhritha Utsava (special abhishekams for the utsava murti). In Tirupati, the Sudarshana Chakra is bathed in the Swami Pushkarini and all the devotees bathe along with the Chakra. In Aurora, a priest takes the Sudarshana Chakra on his head and takes a holy bath in Swami Pushkarini. Afterwards, the Chakra is placed on a high platform, so the devotees can walk under it and be blessed with the water dripping down from the Sudarsana. The celebration officially concludes with "Dhvajavarohanam," the lowering of the Garuda flag. The priests pay respects to Gods and Sages with the chanting of Vedic mantras and see them off on their return to the Devaloka.