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" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
135 Q .:Please clarify the following doubts I have regarding Vasantothsavams:
1. We are having daily arjitha seva of Vasantothsavam, which is performed after the daily Kalyanotsavam. But why the Annual Vasantothsavam is specially celebrated for three days annually when we already have the regular Vasantothsavam?
In what way the annual Vasantothsavam is different from the daily one?
2. Is Anukurarpanam performed for the Annual Vasantothsavams?
We also have a weekly arjitha seva called "Vishesha Puja" during early hours of every monday. Is this procedure same as the daily Vasantothsavam or the annual one?
3. In what way there is the difference in performing these various sacred baths to the Deities?
The various baths I mean are : Weekly Vishesha Puja, Daily Vasantothsavam, Annual Vasantothsavam & the Snapana Tirumanjanam performed during the Annual Brahmothsavams & the weekly Sahasra Kalashabhishekam.
Is there any difference in the number of pots ( kalashams) used during these baths or are there any special procedures performed during each type of bath ?
Ans .: Vasantotsavams are celebrated in Tirumala temple from Chaitra Sukla Trayodasi to Chaitra Purnima for 3 days. These Utsavams are said to be being performed before the year 1360 A.D. according to an inscription. It was stated in the inscription that for the performance of the Vasantotsavams, one Eramanchi Periyamma Nayakar has donated 32 Cows, One Calf and a Lamp. So from this inscription it is clear that these Vasantotsavams are being performed from very ancient times.
During the 16th Century, these Vasantotsavams are said to be celebrated for 5 days (3 days at present). Since these Utsavams are being celebrated from the ancient times in Tirumala temple, for the benefit of Pilgrims, who miss the yearly Utsavams, TTD also introduced the Arjitha Vasantotsavam as a daily Seva. This has been introduced just 10-20 years back. There is no difference regarding the performance of the Utsavam, both Annual and daily ones. But the Annual Utsavam is performed as an elaborate Utsavam whereas the daily one is laghu format.
Ankurarpanam is not performed for Vasantotsavams. Ankurarpana is performed only when there is Homa rituals as part of the Utsavam, and not for others. Utsavams in the Tirumala temple, where there is no Ankurarpana include Vasantotsavams, Padmavathi Parinayotsavams. Visesha Puja is a different ritual and is not the same as Annual/Daily Vasantotsavam. Visesha Puja is otherwise called in Agama texts as 'Chaturdasa Kalasa Snapana Tirumanjanam'. In this ritual, 14 Kalasas are placed, 7 + 7 in two rows, and appropriate dravyams for 7 Kalasams like Pancha gavyam( Cow milk, Curd, ghee, Urine and Dung), Ghee, Curd, Gandhodakam, Akshatodakam (Water+Akshathas), Kusodakam(Darbha grass+ Water) are filled in those Kalasams and the other 7 Upa Kalasams are filled with Water. For this Snapanam Homam is also performed and as such Ankurarpanam is also performed. After doing Avahana and all other Upacharams Lord is given sacred bath with these Kalasams.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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