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Vrindavan, February 23rd: Ten days long Brahmotsavam began in the Goda Haridev Divya Desh Mandir. This is an annual festival celebrated for ten days in this temple. It attracts the devotees from the near by villages of Vrindavan. The Brahmotsava festival is the most important and auspicious function in all the temples of the world which belong to Ramanuja Sampradaya. The religious activities of the festival include the daily yajnas and processions for the utsava murti (movable deities) on different vahanas (vehicles) which are made of gold, silver, sandal wood etc. The Utsava deities are decorated with different ornaments. On the first day of the festival Lord Vaikunthanath mounted on ‘Purna Kothi’ and the procession passed through different markets of the town where the deovtees welcomed the God by offering bhog and performing arati. People made rangolis on the street through which the procession passed. The procession finally reached Gyan Gudri and stationed for an hour at the “Uddhav Gopi samvad sthal”. The Lord gave darshan to the devotees and then went back to the temple. The Lord mounts different vehilcles on these ten days and gives darshan to his devotees. Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Sri Balaji at Tirupati. Brahma worshiped Sri Balaji on the banks of the holy Pushkarini in Tirupati as a way to give thanks for the Lord’s protection of mankind. Hence, this utsava bears his name as “Brahmotsavam,” which means the festival of Brahma. Every temple which has the Divyadesh has a water body (Pushkarini) and a garden. There are two temples of Vrindavan where the Brahmotsavam is celebrated. The most famous Brahmotsava festival of Vrindavan is celebrated in the Ranganath Mandir. The Rangnath Mandir’s Brahmotsava celebration is as old as 155 years, which will begin from 9th March. The British Collector F.S. Growse has mentioned it in his memorior. The Goda Hardev Mandir was built ten years back and it also celebrates the Brahmotsavam every year. It began on 22nd February in the Haridev Mandir. The temple president Tridandi Swami Devnarayan Acharya informed that the festival will continue for ten days and the utsava deitiy of Shri Vaikuntahanath will come out of the temple twice in a day in different chariots. Priests and Vedpathis have been called from South India to conduct the rituals. On the evening prior to the start of the first day, the rite of Ankurarpana is performed along with a festival for Sri vishaksena (the leader of Narayana’s retinue who removes obstacels and protects worship).” On the first day the main activity is the “Dhvajaorhana”the hoisting of the Garuda flag, which signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsava. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam and invites the Devas to attend the festival. The celebration officially concludes with “Dhvajavarohanam,” the lowering of the Garuda flag. The priests pay respect to Gods and sages with the chanting of Vedic hymns and see them off on their return to Devaloka. Acharya Naresh Narayan a scholar from the Ramanuja Sampradaya said, “The Brahmotsavam celebration provides a unique opportunity for all devotees to participate in the festivity and utsavas and experience Vaikuntha in Vrindavan. Every year, thousands of devotees witness the processions, celebrations during the Annual Brahmotsavam of Shri Goda – Haridev ji. Everyday of the Brahmotsavam there is a feast for all the devotees.

Jaya Varusha Brahmotsavam took place in grand manner at Sri Ahobila Mutt Sri Balaji Mandir ,Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra.The annual brahmotsavam commenced with Flag hoisting on 22 October 2014 as per agama sastras.On the first day evening of brahmotsavam Perumal purappadu on Sapparam and on simha vahanam on the day 2 of Brahmotsavam. The day 3 & 4 of brahmotsavam was celebrated on 24 & 25th october 2014, On 3rd day , Perumal Thiruveedhi purappadu took place on Hamsa Vahanam and Surya prabhai , the day 4 purappadu took place on Karpaga Vruksham in the morning and Garuda vahanam in the evening. Lot of vedic pandits took part in the veda parayanam and Many Srivaishnavas took part in the Prabhanda Parayanam. Lot of astikas took part in the first four day of the Brahmotsavam and had the blessings of Divyadampatis These are some of the photos taken during the first four days of Brahmotsavam: