Tirumala: Kaisika Dwadasi on November 13

 

The once-in-a-year event, the procession of Sri Ugra Srinivasa Murty in Tirumala on the auspicious occasion of Kaisika Dwadasi will take place on November 13.

About the unique idol:

Among the Pancha Beras(five types of idols), Ugra Srinivasa Murty is considered the Snapana Beram. 

The idol of Sri Ugra Srinivasa Murthy was also known as Venkatatturaivar and stands for the anger aspect of the Lord.

Ugra Srinivasa was used as the processional deity in the good olden days.

SIGNIFICANCE

Immense importance is attached to the festival, which according to mythology is revered as one of the most important religious events in the Sri Vaishnava Kshetrams.

Legends say that the event arises out of Kaisika Puranam consisting of 82 slokas, a story which was told by Sri Varaha Swamy to Bhudevi. 

STORY OF NAMBADUVAN

A great devotee of the Lord, Sri Nambaduvan (also known as Satyamurthi) is confronted by a Brahma Rakshasa (Demon) on his way to the temple. 

This Rakshasa used to be a Brahmin by the name of Soma-Sharma. He committed some grave mistakes during a Yagam and was cursed to become a Brahma Rakshasa.

When Nambaduvan was traveling to the temple, a demon stopped him from becoming his prey. After great persuasion, Nambaduvan tells the Rakshasa that he will return to be eaten by him after completing his annual offering of music to Nambi Perumal. 

The Rakshasa allows him to proceed to the temple. After singing songs in Kaisika Ragam, all night in front of the Lord, Nambaduvan comes back to Rakshasa to fulfill his promise.

At that time, Sri Mahavishnu, to testify the devotion and commitment of Nambaduvan, in the guise of an old man, stops him and asks him to take another route, to escape from becoming prey to the demon. 

Nambaduvan refuses to break his promise and proceeds to meet his death. The Demon was surprised at his honesty when he saw Nambaduvan coming to him. Later the truthfulness of Nambaduvan impresses the Lord who offers him salvation and also breaks the curse of Demon.

In view of this, in Tirumala, only on this day of Kaisika Dwadasi, Sri Venkatatturaivar, is taken out of the temple on a procession, and that too before sunrise.  

WHY BEFORE SUNRISE

The reason is that in the 14th Century, there was a huge fire accident in Tirumala when there was a procession of Sri Ugra Srinivasa Murthy (the anger form) as soon as the Sun rays fell on the idol. Since then the procession has been observed before sunrise followed by Asthanam. 

ASTHANAM 

After the procession, Kaisika Dwadasi Asthanam to the deities will be observed inside the temple. The Vedic pundits read out the story from Kaisika Puranam during the temple court organized at Bangaru Vakili between 6am and 7:30am.