Ten Brahmotsavams observed in the 16th century!
TIRUMALA, NOVEMBER 09, 2025: Tirumala, the abode of the Universal Supremo, Sri Venkateswara, in Kaliyuga, is a place of eternal auspiciousness, with daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly and annual festivals observed all through the year. There is no exaggeration that around 450 festivals are observed in all 365 days!
Every day is a festival in Tirumala. With daily festivals like Suprabhatam, Thomala, Sahasranamarachana, weekly festivals like Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana, Tiruppavada, Poolangi, Shukravarabhishekam, star festivals like Rohini, Arudra, Punarvasu, Sravanam, annual festivals like Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam, Ugadi Asthanam, Theppotsavam, Padmavati Parinayam, Jyeshtabhishekam, Anivara Asthanam, Pavitrotsavam, Brahmotsavam are being observed.
Among these festivities, the Brahmotsavams are considered to be the most important festival that is being observed in Tirumala with religious grandeur. A glance into the past reveals some interesting features about the History of Brahmotsavams based on the inscriptional evidence available in the Tirumala temple.
In the 10th century, during the period of the Pallava Queen Samavai Perundevi, who donated the one-foot silver idol of Sri Bhoga Srinivasamurthy to Tirumala temple, Brahmotsavams were held in the months of Puratasi and Magha. This tradition of conducting twin brahmotsavams in a year continued until the 13th century.
Later, in the 14th century during the regime of Veera Narasimha Yadava Rayalu, a third Brahmotsavam commenced in the month of Aadi(Ashadam). And it was called Thirunal. In this century, Brahmotsavams were held three times a year. Two Brahmotsavams were held in Tirumala, while one was observed in the Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati.
By the 16th century, from the information available from inscriptions, the Brahmotsavams were held every month except in the months of Vaishakha and Aadi. In these two months, the Brahmotsavams were held in the Govindarajaswamy temple in Tirupati. In those days, Brahmotsavams were celebrated with grandeur for a total of 12 days, including Ankurarpanam.
According to the inscriptions, the Brahmotsavams were held four times a year until the last few centuries ago. Brahmotsavams are known to have been held during the time of Peratasi, Ratha Saptami, Kaisika Ekadashi and Vaikuntha Ekadashi.
At present, the annual brahmotsavams are observed once a year, while two times in Adhika Masam, which occurs once every two years. These Brahmotsavams are known as Salakatla(annual) and Navaratri Brahmotsavams. In 2025, the annual brahmotsavams are scheduled from September 24 to October 02 with Ankurarpanam on September 23.
