Colorful Spring Festival (Vasantha Ursavam) at Tirumala, Tirupathi
– Prof.S. Gokulachari
Spring is the most important period of the six seasons. Spring is the season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again. Farmers and gardeners plant their seeds and temperatures slowly rise. The period of new life begins.
That successful spring leaf growth ensures a cool canopy to relax under during the hot summer—a hugely important factor in keeping cities comfortable.
Aagama rules have defined most temple festivals to welcome the spring with nature.
This spring festival (Vasantha Ursavam) is celebrated for three days in the month of Chitrai, (April and May) along with the day of the full moon in the two days preceding the full moon (Triyodasi Chaturthasi).
Vasantha Mandapam is a beautiful hall built in Tirumala to celebrate especially this ursavam.
Lord Thirumalayappan is offered the festival three days in this mandapam.
After three days of the holy bath to Lord Malaiappa swami with His consorts Sridevi and Boothevi the festival concludes.
There are many rules and regulations for holding many festivals annually in Vaishnava aagamaas.
All festivals and poojaas are held in Thirumalaa based on the Vaiganasa Aagama.
Every celebration has its specialty.
The Vedas say that Thirumalayappan finds great satisfaction in seeing the festivals.
He is blessing millions of devotees who come to have a dharshan of each festival.
The events and the materials used in it are given fit to the season,as per aagamaa rules.
Thus, in the month of Chithirai, Thirumalayappan is celebrating a special spring festival.
Thirumalai is said to be cold, but the temperature is high in the hill during April and May.
At the same time, nature will start to show its colors.
This is called the spring.
It is called the Spring Festival because it is a festival celebrated this spring.
As this spring festival is one of the most important festivals, hence the routine daily festivals of Thirukkalyana Urchavam and Sahasra Deepaarathanas are suspended.
Moon is entering the star Chitra in this month and the sun took in position in Mesha where the temperature is to rise.
Vasantha Ursavam is being held at this time.
Generally, the temple festivals are based on the thoughts, aspirations, and lusts of the human minds during the seasons.
Flowers, plants, fruits and all aspects of nature offered to Lord on this occasion to enhance his happiness and blessings.
Every day Thirumalayappan took on the procession to the streets with His Upaya Nachimars Sridevi and Boothevi.
The Vasantha Mandapam, where He took a holy bath(Thirumanjanam), is decorated with all kinds of natural materials such as flowers, fruits, leaves, and plants.
The Thirumanjana Vasantha Mandapam is a spectacular sight for the devotees decorated with, Banana trees, young trees, herbs, magnificent herbs, colorful flowers, herbs, greenery, etc.
Every day, in the morning, Sridevi Boothevi sameda Malayappa Swamy took procession through all four Mada streets, arrives here to take special Thirumanjanam .
This Thirumanjana stage is not mediocre. Made by gold.
Veda depicts Bhagavatam and Bhagavati as gold.
In the golden seat, Thirumalaiappan wakes up with the Upanya Nachimar.
While taking thirumanjanam , the Veda mantras, in particular, Purusha Sukhtam, Narayana Suktam, Vishnu suktam
recites in one voice which fills the ear and air the divinity.
The great thing about this Thirumanjana theertam is to say here.
The Thirumanjana Theertham is a very special blend of various herbs, herbs and fragrances, and Turmeric.
Before the start of ursavam as preliminary, similar to Brahmotsavam, there are special pujas, punyaga vasanam, vastu Shanti, etc., are done.
The Jeeyar swamis appointed by Swami Ramanuja and Swami ManavalaMaamuni Periya kelviappan and Chinna Kelviappan jeeyars are present to look after the rituals and to do kaingaryams(service) from the side.
To recite the Vedic mantras and the sacraments, the Adhyapagars are also being present with Jeeyars.
After Veda mantras, Periyalvar’s Pasuram ‘Vennai Alainthu’ and Periya Thirumozhi ‘Munpolaa Raavanan’ are recited to complete the Holy bath ceremony, followed by Nakshatra aaarthi and Kumbha aarati.
As the soul is said to be mine (Dhvam), says The Lord, with the drip of holy water dripping on it.
we are captivated by the unparalleled beauty of Emperuman, who shows wearing a Tulsi garland.
After this, the sakashratara abhishekam will be held on the golden sieve by the holy thertha which is created in the pitcher.
Once the decorations are complete, the procession again will take place.
At the Ramanuja’s Shrine, Lord will be welcomed. When entering Asthaana, the Annamachariar hymns will be played.
On the second day, the festival has a golden chariot procession.
On the third day, with the Malayalappa Swamy, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanumat Sametha Rama, and Rukmani Sameta Krishna will be seated in Ega Aasana(one platform), and the Thirumanjanam will be done to all deities which, will be very spectacular.
The incarnation of Lord Rama in the Tretayugam, Lord Krishna in the Duvaparayuga, and Malaippa swami in the Kaliyuga are the Yuga devathaas,are present in one seat to bless the devotees.
Special Offerings are performed when Malaippa swami reaches the Ramaunjar shrine. Astana festival will be held. With This, the Vasantha Ursavam is concluded.
Devotees are welcome to witness this magnificent Spring Festival this year. Through this dharsan, our lives will be boundless.
