Rathasaptami Festival: A Grand Celebration of Lord Tirumalesha’s Divine Processions

NEWS CHARIOT : – Lord Tirumalesha, revered as the deity of festivals, is celebrated with grandeur in the annual Rathasaptami festival, also known as Surya Jayanti. This festival, which falls on February 4, is one of the most important in the Hindu calendar, with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) making elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth and memorable celebration.

Rathasaptami, a day packed with devotion and divine rituals, includes seven spectacular processions featuring Lord Malayappa Swamy and his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. The day is marked by grand vahana (divine vehicle) processions, which start at 5:30 AM and continue till 9:00 PM. It’s often called a “one-day Brahmotsavam” due to the immense number of divine chariot rides in a single day.

The Grand Processions:

1. Surya Prabha Vahanam (5:30 AM – 8:00 AM)
   The festival kicks off with Lord Malayappa Swamy riding the Sun Chariot, symbolizing the first rays of the sun blessing the devotees.
2. Chinna Sesha Vahanam (9:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
   The five-hooded serpent Chinna Sesha is the divine vehicle for this procession, believed to grant spiritual enlightenment.
3. Garuda Vahanam (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
   Riding on Garuda, the celestial eagle, Lord Malayappa Swamy is worshipped for wisdom and the removal of sins.
4. Hanumantha Vahanam (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
   Lord Malayappa Swamy on Hanuman symbolizes devotion, surrender, and the grace of Lord Rama.
5. Chakra Snanam (2:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
   A ritualistic holy bath of the Sudarshana Chakra is performed in the Swami Pushkarini, where devotees also take a holy dip.
6. Kalpavriksha Vahanam (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
   Lord Malayappa Swamy rides the Kalpavriksha, a wish-fulfilling tree, blessing devotees with their heart’s desires.
7. Sarvabhoopala Vahanam (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
   The Lord, seated on this divine vehicle, is honored by cosmic rulers representing his supreme authority over all realms.
8. Chandra Prabha Vahanam (8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
   The festival concludes with Lord Malayappa Swamy on the Moon Chariot, bringing peace and prosperity to the devotees.

A Historic Festival:

Rathasaptami has been a tradition in Tirumala since 1564, with devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka flocking to witness this divine spectacle. The TTD has made special arrangements for the massive crowd, including temporary shelters along the Mada streets to shield them from the sun and rain.

This year’s Rathasaptami offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Lord’s seven grand processions in a single day. It is an event of immense spiritual significance and a true testament to Lord Tirumalesha’s role as the deity of festivals.

Reporter : Javali