Brahmotsavam, the Hindu festival is an auspicious festival celebrated every year at the SHREE BALAJI Temple at Parola District Jalgaon in Maharashtra. According to legends the origin of this festival is associated with Lord Brahma. It is believed that once Lord Brahma worshiped Sri Balaji at the catchment area of the holy Pushkarini River to thank the Lord for fortification of mankind.
“Brahmotsava”which literally means “Brahma’s Utsavam”. The festival is celebrated with great zeal during the month of October. The celebration of the Brahmostsava is performed over fifteen day period. On the very first day of the festival “Anurarpana” ritual is performed along with the celebration of Shri Vishvaksena. The “Anurarpana” ritual signifies fertility, abundance and prosperity. During all fifteen days of the festival various religious activities like homes and daily processions were various idols of the god are taken out different chariots (vahan) present in the temple.
Importance of Brahmotsav:
The importance of this festival can be known by the fact that every year thousands of devotees flock in Parola to be the witness of this majestic festival. They enjoy participating in the various rituals conducted during the fifteen days to seek the blessing of Lord Balaji. The devotes assimilated to take part in the auspicious festival often term the experience as a heavenly connect and blissful. On the first day, is the "Dwajarohana," the hoisting of the Garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. This signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsava. It is believed that Garuda goes to devalokam and invites the Devas to attend the function. Then a procession dedicated to Lord Balaji proceeds on Pedda Seshavahana and covers four streets of the temple. During this festival it is believed that the mighty snake alter itself as the vehicle for God. The main reason for celebrating this festival is to pray to God for providing a life which is filled with high values and morals.
Vahans:
1) Dwaja vahan:
Dwaja vahan is a flag-hoisting festival that is held on the first day by hoisting a flag (dhwajapatam) of Garuda on the top of the Dwajasthambam. It is believed to be a symbolic significance of formal invitation to all the Hindu deities to attend the Brahmotsav festival.
2) Sesha (snake) Vahan:
On the second day in the evening on Aadi Sesha the thousand headed Chief Serpent God as his vehicle. Aadi sesha is the seat on which Lord SriMan Narayana rests in his abode Sri Vaikunta. Lord Venkateswara is said to be the manifestation of Lord Aadisesha. Pedda Aadisesha vahanam will be seven headed.
3) Chandra (Moon) Vahan:
On the third day night the Lord Balaji is taken out in a procession on Vaasuki (Serpent God) as his vehicle. In Bhagavath Geetha Lord Sri Krishna says He is Vaasuki among the serpents.
"चन्द्रमा मनसो जातः"।
4) Ashwa (horse) Vahan:
On the fourth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Aswa (Horse) as his vehicle symbolizing the forthcoming Kalki Avathara. Lord Venkateswara used to ride on a horse during hunting of wild animals. Lord assumed the form of Horse head during his avathara as Hayagreeva.
5) Wagh (Tiger) Vahan:
On the fifth day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Wagh (Tiger) as his vehicle.
6) Kalpa Vruksha Vahan:
On the sixth day of the festival the Lord is taken out in procession in the evening on Kalpa Vruksha as his vehicle signifying that he is the giver of boons to his devotees and fulfills their wishes.
7) Gaja (Elephant) Vahan:
On the seventh day evening the Lord is taken out first for palkhi and then in procession on Elephant (Gaja) or Sant mela as his vehicle. We find in Sri Madbhagavatham (Gajendra Moksham) Lord instantly coming to the rescue of Gajendra and get him relieved from the clutches of the Crocodile.
8) Surya Vahan:
On the eighth day evening the Lord Balaji (Venkateswara) is taken out in procession with Sun God driving the Chariot. Purusha Sooktha describes Sun as born from the eyes of Lord Sriman Narayana (Chaksho! Suryo Ajayathah!). Sun is said to be an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu (Surya Narayana).
9) Garud Vahan:
On the ninth day evening the Lord Sri Venkateswara is taken out in procession specially decorated, with his main devotee and chief vehicle Garuda (Garukmantha) the king of birds as his vehicle. It is believed and said that it is highly meritorious and mukthi pradham to have darshan of the Lord seated on Garuda, the vahana of lord vishnu.
10) Hanumantha Vahan:
On the 10th day evening the Lord is taken out in procession with Lord Hanuman as his vehicle.Hanuman was the personification of the most trusted and self less service to the Lord in his avathara as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga. Undoubtedly Lord Hanuman was the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama.
11) Rathotsava:
On the 11th day Afternoon (12 PM) the Lord Balaji (Venkateswara) is taken out in procession along with his consorts seated on a fully decorated Chariot pulled by the devotees with the chanting of Laxmi Ramana Govinda Bajaji Maharaj ki jay. Parola will be flooded with devotes to witness this occasion. It is believed and said that those who witness the Lord seated on the Chariot during Rathostav will not be reborn. Idols of Daruka the charioteer of Lord Arjun and Two horses are placed before the Lord on the chariot.
Govinda Govinda Govinda……………
12) Angad Vahan:
On the 12th day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Angad. Angad was the son of Bali, the elder brother of Sugreeva. His mother was Tara. When Rama killed Bali, before he breathed his last, he had put his son Angad in Rama’s care. When Sugreeva was appointed the king of Kishkindha, Angad was made the Yuvaraj (prince designate). Angad was a great favorite of Lord Rama. In the battle between Rama and Ravana, Angad was made the commander and head of the army.
13) Indra Vahan:
On the 13th day evening the Lord is again taken out in procession with Indra. Indra is the king of Svarga (Heaven) and the Devas. He is the god of lightning, thunder, storms, rains and river flows.
14) Pallaki Vahan:
On the morning & evening of the 15th, the Lord is again taken out in procession along with his concerts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi in a palanquin decorated with a canopy of pearls. Pearl is said to be a symbol of purity and royalty.
On the last the Garuda flag will be lowered as a mark of completion of the Brahmostav. The jeeyangas will be there along with priests. They will chant various mantras. It is performed in the dwajastamba mandapa. The priests will then lower the garuda dwaja and the festival will soon be completed.
Temple:
Balaji Temple In Parola (Jalgaon), temple looks very beautiful and has a good appearance. Temple surroundings have a serene and peaceful environment. The main deity of the temple is carved in the wood unlike the stone sculpture of the original Tirupati temple. Deity is painted in Grey oil paint colour. The interior of the temple is decorated with the amazing woodwork. The inside of the temple is quite colorful. The building materials like white stone
