SRIVARI BRAHMOTSAVAM

2013

Hindu Temple and Cultural Society of USA, Inc (HTCS)

Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir)

Community Center

Bridgewater, New Jersey

Program Guide

Tuesday, June 25th - Wednesday, July 3rd

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॐ नमो वेन्केेाय

Brahmotsavam is one of the most important and auspicious festivals for Lord Sri Venkateswara. Sri Chaturmukha Brahma, the Creator, first conducted this festival and hence the Utsava is known as Brahmotsavam.

The occasion is a way to offer grateful thanks for the Lord’s protection of the mankind and to expiate the mistakes that occur in the daily worship and other religious rituals (Mantra, Dravya & Kriya) performed in the temple. In Sanskrit, Brahmotsavam means the one which offers immense pleasure. Brahmotsavam's nine-day magnificent festivities begin with – Ankurarpana (sowing of the seeds to signify fertility,

prosperity and abundance); followed by Dwajaarohanam, a formal invitation with Raga and Tala to

all Devathas to be part of the Utsavam; Vahana Sevas, which grant Moksha; Deepotsavam, which removes ignorance

(Agnanaandhakaram); Sahasra Kalsabhishekam (Abhishekam with 1000

Kalashas), which protects the devotees; Kalyana Mahostavam, which bequeaths well-being to the

society (Loka Kalyanartham); Sudarshana Homam, which bestows Aayush, health and

wealth; Rathotsavam, which provides the astounding Darshanam of

Swami on a Ratham (chariot) and confers Janma Rahityam (reaching no re-birth state);

Unjal Seva (Dolotsavam) accompanied by a humble recitation of the Vedas, Puranas and Ithihasas to Swami;

Sri Pushpa Yagam, which offers Swami the fruit of the Utsava poojas;

Dwadasharadhana, which expiates the mistakes that have occurred during the Utsavam; and

Maha Poornahuti, which blesses the devotees with the fruit of the homas of all nine days.

Devotees participate in the festivities to experience Vaikuntha Anubhava (heavenly enjoyment and feeling) and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swami, who bestows his devotees with happiness, health and wealth.

Mon, June 24, 2013 Preparation for the nine day event starting on June 25

5:00 PM Brahmotsava Karyakrama Poorvanga Puja

Brahmotsava Sankalpam, Mruth Sangrahanam, Ankuraropanam

Tue, June 25, 2013 Brahmotsavam Commences

9:00 AM Pataka Pratishtha, Vastu Kalasa Sthapana, Yogeshwara Kalasa Sthapana, Soma Kumbha Sthapana, Agni Pratishtha, Garuda Pratishtha, Garuda Pancha Sayyadhivasam, Anga Homam, Eenkara Homam, Poornahuti, Dhwaja Arohanam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

5:00 PM Visesha Homam, Poornahuti, Bheri Puja, Sesha Vahana Seva, Dolotsavam, Neerajanam, Mantrapushpam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

Wed, June 26, 2013 & Thu, June 27, 2013

9:00 AM Nitya Homam, Poornahuti, Neerajanam, Mantrapushpam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

5:00 PM Nitya Homam, Poornahuti, Neerajanam, Mantrapushpam, Dolotsavam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

Fri, June 28, 2013

9:00 AM Purusha Sukta, Sri Sukta, Maha Lakshmi Homam, Narayana Gayatri Homam, Srinivasa Gayatri Homam, Poornahuti, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

5:00 PM Deepotsavam, (1116 Deepams are lit around Sri Venkateswara, Sridevi and Bhudevi), Nakshatrayeshti Parayanam

Sat, June 29, 2013

7:00 AM Suprabhatam 7:30 AM Nitya homam, Dwara Torana, Antarala, Pataka

Devata Homam, Poornahuti

8:30 AM Sahasra Kalasabhishekam to Sri Venkateswara Swamy

11:30 AM Srinivasa Kalyanam, Pradhana, Pravesa, Laja Homams, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

1:00 – 3:00 PM Annadanam (lunch) to all devotees

4:30 PM Rathotsavam

Cultural Program

5:00 – 8:00

PM

Annamacharya Sankeethana in Kalyanamandapam, with live orchestra

- Prabha Raghunath, Deepa Sastry, Vijayalalitha Vemuri (students of Lalitha Venkat)

Sun, June 30, 2013

9:00 AM Maha Lakshmi Gayatri Homam, Sudharsana Homam, Poornahuti, Saptadasa Kalasabhishekam to Sri Venkateshwara Utsava Murtys, Poolangi Seva to Sri Venkateshwara Moola Virat, Neerajanam, Mantrapushpam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

Cultural Program

2:00 - 4:00

PM

Brahma Sabha - in the Main Sanctum Hall - Sri Venkateswara Kala Aseervada Mahotsavam – Nrutya Sangeetha Aradhana – veena, vocal music and dances praising Lord Venkateswara

5:00 PM Rukmini Kalyanam - Harikatha – in Kalyanamandapam - ( 16 yrs old US born artist )

Mon, July 01, 2013 & Tue, July 02, 2013

9:00 AM Nitya Homam, Poornahuti, Neerajanam, Mantrapushpam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

5:00 PM Nitya Homam, Poornahuti, Neerajanam, Mantrapushpam, Dolotsavam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

Wed, July 03, 2013 Brahmotsavam Concludes

9:00 AM Nitya Homam, Parivara Devata Homam, Maha Poornahuti

11:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam, Agni Udvasanam, Dhwaja Avarohanam, Chakra Teertham, Neerajanam, Mantrapushpam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

7:00 PM Sri Pushpa Yagam, Dwadasa Kala Archana, Sapthavarnam, Teertha Prasada Viniyogam

Thu, July 04, 2013

Cultural Program

4:00 - 7:00

PM

Brahmotsavam Grand Finale - in the Temple Auditorium - Spectacular dance ballet by students of Guru Smt. Manjula Ramaswamy, Sri Rama Nataka Nikethan Dance Academy, Hyderabad, India.

Hindu Temple and Cultural Society of USA, Inc (HTCS)

Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir) and Community Center

One Balaji Temple Drive Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807, USA

Telephone 908.725.4477

www.venkateswara.org

BRAHMOTSAVAM 2013