Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTDs) celebrates 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 “
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 Venkateswar Swamy.
As a prelude to this purification festival Ankurarpanam is performed a day before
where in 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 through 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
to the silk woven holy threads called “Pavithralu” which are the sanctified threads.
The unique feature about this thread is that it has five colours which are Black,
Blue, Red, Yellow and Green..
“Pavitralu” will be tied around the head, neck,
waist etc of Lord before 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 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.