Every year were celebrate Srivari Pavithrotsavam on the important days of Ekadasi, Dwadasi and Trayodasi in the month of Sravana as per the Hindu calendar. This festival is known as the “Festival of Purification”.
During these three days, Tirumanjanam and Homam are performed to the main deity and as well as primary idols of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
As a prelude to this purification festival, Ankurarpanam is performed a day before where nine types of cereals are sowed in an earthen container which marks the beginning of the festival.
The significance of Pavithrotsavam
The significance of the festival is that the priests symbolically seek the pardon of the Lord for their acts all omissions and commissions committed either knowingly or unknowingly during the performance of daily rituals to the presiding deity inside the temple throughout the year.
The First Day
On the first day of Pavithrotsavam, Homam (Prayer to Sacrificial Fire) is performed at Yagasala situated inside the temple followed by Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) for about two hours to the processional deities with sandal, turmeric, milk, curd and honey.
In the evening the processional deities are taken out for a pleasure ride around four mada streets, blessing pilgrims who converge to witness the grandeur of Lord Malayappa Swamy draped in dazzling Gold and Diamond jewels.
The Second Day
On the second day, after Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) special puja is performed on the silk-woven holy threads called “Pavithralu” which are the sanctified threads. The unique feature of this thread is that it has five colours which are Black, Blue, Red, Yellow and Green..
“Pavitralu” will be tied around the head, neck, waist etc of the Lord before being taken for the procession. They are also tied to various deities inside the temple as well as deities of sub-temples located inside the prakaram including Ananda Nilaya Vimana Venkateswara Swamy, Yoga Narasimha Swamy etc. and also to Lord Sri Bhuvarhaswamy located adjacent to Swami Pushkarini.
These holy silk threads are woven out of a special variety of high-quality cotton which is grown exclusively in the land that is meant to grow the Tulasi plant which is considered to be sacred for Hindus.
The Third Day
On the third, the sacred Homam is performed followed by Snapana Tirumanjanam, followed by rituals like Visesha Samarpana, a procession along four mada streets and concludes with Purnahuthi which takes place inside the main temple.
