This tour has 2 nodes/spots in all. To view each of the spot, please hover the mouse over the thumbnails and click on it in the bottom middle of the tour window. If you wish to view this sopt on the map, click on the co-ordinates.
Co-ordinates: 13°40’58.73″N 79°20’42.78″E
Vasanta Mandapam, Tirumala
Vasantha Mandapam is an ancient structure built by the Vizianagara rulers to perform the Vasanthothsavam. Vasanthotsavam Festival was started during the period of King Achyutaraya in 1460’s.This annual fete was believed to have introduced by the King to mark the arrival of Spring Season. Lord and his Consorts are given aromatic bath on these three days which is believed to give a soothing relief to the deities from the scorching Sun. The mandapam was recently renovated by the TTD to reinstate its grandeur. The newly renovated structure can accommodate 1200 people at a go.
Vasantotsavam is the combination of 2 words – “Vasantha” (Spring season in Sanskrit) and “Utsavam” (festival in Sanskrit). The festival is celebrated on the three days of tryodasi, chaturdasi and pournami in the month of Chaitra. This three-day festival starts with ankurarpanam (sowing the nine kinds of seeds) ceremony conducted on the day of Uttarabhadra star, one day before the commencement of Vasanthotsavam festival.
On all these three days, Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts are brought to beautifully decorated Vasanta Mandapam. Punya Vachanam (purification rites), vaasthu santhi (worship of deity and lord of nature and their elements and natural forces as well as lord and deity of directions and environment) and samprokshanam (sprinkling of holy water as a symbolic representation of purification) rituals are performed by the temple priests.
Access to these rituals is not open to public as Vasonthotsavam is an arjitha seva – paid service where pilgrims can participate in Srivari Annual seva on payment of Rs.300 per person per Ticket.