What is Andal Neerattotsavam?

 

Godadevi desired to marry Lord Srikrishna as her husband and performed ‘Dhanurmasa Vratam’ with devotion. In memory of that event ‘Andal Neerattotsavam’ is being performed for seven days before the Bhogi festival in Dhanurmasam. On this day, Godadevi in Sri Govindarajaswami temple, Tirupati starts in a procession on a Palanquin through Mada streets and reaches Neeratta mandapam at Ramachandra Teertham. There Neerattam or Abhishekam, Nivedanam, Saattumora, and Asthanam will be conducted as per customs. They remain there till evening. Later the deity is being adorned with flowers and carried back in a palanquin to Sri Govindarajaswami temple. The Neerattotsavam is being performed for seven days continuously.

On the eighth day i.e. on the Bhogi day, Andal along with Sri Krishna Swami, ascends the Bhogi palanquin in the evening moves around through mada streets, and reaches sannidhi. On this day Godadevi marries Lord Srikrishna and Utsavams are celebrated grandly. The next day ‘Godaparinayotsavam’ is celebrated on Kanuma festival day. This tradition is being followed till today.