The auspicious Dhanurmasam will begin from 16th of December this year. The season that is particularly important for staunch Vaishnavas is diligently revered with the chanting of holy Tiruppavai. Tirumala temple will make some important changes to this effect. Suprabhata Seva, that is performed as part of everyday routine will now be replaced by Andal Tiruppavai. The sacred chants will begin from December 17th and go on till the end of Dhanurmasam, which is January 14th, 2017.
Going by the holy texts and sayings, deities wake up during the early hours in Dhanurmasam to offer special prayers to Lord Vishnu. The worship is done during the extreme sacred hours, known as ‘Brahma Muhurtam’. This time frame usually falls one hour before sunrise.
It is also said that worshiping Lord Venkateswara during this month even for a day equals offering prayers for 1000 years!!
Andal Tiruppavai is a divine collection of 30 Paasurams (stanzas) that were written by Goddess Andal, in praise of Lord Vishnu in the form of Nachiyar or Sri Krishna. The holy stanzas are religiously chanted by all the Vaishnavas and Vaishnava entities across the world during this season.
Typically, a staunch Vaishnava offers prayers during the Braham Muhurtam to the lord, along with sacred Prasadam, which is Pongal.
Tiruppavai will also be chanted in other temples of TTD such as Govinda Raja Swamy temple, Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy temple, and Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srainivasa Mangapuram.
Must read Significance of Dhanurmasam – A Month of Devotion
Must read Sabarimala – Story of the famous “Ayyappa Prasadam”
