TIRUMALA, NOVEMBER 13, 2024: The auspicious Kaisika Dwadasi Asthanam was held in Tirumala during the early hours on Wednesday.
Sri Ugra Srinivasa Murty – the Snapana Bera of Sri Venkateswara was paraded along with Sridevi and Bhudevi in the Mada Streets amidst the drizzles under Patatopam(divine shield used during rains) between 4:30am and 5:30am.
Later Asthanam was held inside Bangaru Vakili as the Vedic Pundits recited the story of an ardent devotee of Nambaduvan from Kaisika Purana.
Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, CVSO Sridhar, temple Peishkar Ramakrishna and other temple staff were also present.
About the unique idol:
Among the Pancha Beras(five types of idols), Ugra Srinivasa Murty is considered as the Snapana Beram. The idol of Sri Ugra Srinivasa Murthy was also known as Venkatatturaivar and stands for the anger aspect of the Lord. Ugra Srinivasa was used as the processional deity in the good olden days.
SIGNIFICANCE
Immense importance is attached to the festival, which according to mythology is revered as one of the most important religious events in the Sri Vaishnava Kshetrams. Legends say that the event arises out of Kaisika Puranam consisting of 82 slokas, a story which was told by Sri Varaha Swamy to Bhudevi.
STORY OF NAMBADUVAN
A great devotee of the Lord, Sri Nambaduvan (also known as Satyamurthi) being confronted by a Brahma Rakshasa (Demon) on his way to the temple. This Rakshasa used to be a Brahmin by the name of Soma-Sharma. He committed some grave mistakes during a Yagam and was cursed to become a Brahma Rakshasa.
When Nambaduvan was traveling to the temple, a demon stops him to become his prey. After great persuasion, Nambaduvan tells the Rakshasa that he would return to be eaten by him after completing his annual offering of music to Nambi Perumal.
The Rakshasa allows him to proceed to the temple. After singing songs in Kaisika Ragam, all night in front of the Lord, Nambaduvan comes back to Rakshasa to fulfill his promise.
At that time, Sri Mahavishnu, to testify the devotion and commitment of Nambaduvan, in the guise of an old man, stops him and asks him to take another route, to escape from becoming prey to the demon.
Nambaduvan refuses to break his promise and proceeds to meet his death. The Demon was surprised at his honesty when he sees Nambaduvan coming to him. Later the truthfulness of Nambaduvan impresses Lord who offers him salvation also breaks the curse of Demon.
In view of this, in Tirumala, only on this day of Kaisika Dwadasi, Sri Venkatatturaivar, is taken out of the temple on a process
