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Pushya Masam in Tirupati Venkateswara Temple – Pushya Month Festivals and Rituals at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple

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Pushya Masam in Tirupati Venkateswara Temple is known for several colorful festivals (utsavams), rituals and pujas. Records of Pushya month (mid December to mid January) rituals at Tirumala Tirupati Temple can be found in the Tamil Sangam Literature, which dates back to 2nd century BC. It speaks about the beauty of fairs and festivals that are celebrated in the ancient shrine of Vengadam.
As per Hindu Lunar Calendar, when moon is at or near the constellation of the star Pushyami, that month is known as Pushya Masam.

The Pournima of Pushya masam is very auspicious to start a study of the Vedas.

The auspicious Uttarayanam also begin in this Pushya Masam. Uttarayanam marks the beginning of the daytime of Devas. The transition of Sun from South to North is considered as Uttarayana Punyakalam. This is also traditionally known as Makara Sankranti and Pongal. Sun enters Makara Rasi, which is also called as Makara Sankramanam.

Some of the important rituals observed at Tirupati Temple during Pushya Masam are:
  • Vaikunta Ekadasi
  • Pranayakalaha Mahotsavam
  • Parveta Utsavam
  • Swami Pushkarini Theertha Mukkoti
  • Kakapudi Utsavam
Instead of the usual prayer, Tiruppavai of Sri Andal is recited as morning prayer during the month of Pushya at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple.

Pranayakalaha Mahotsavam This festival is celebrated exactly on the 6th day after Vaikunta Ekadasi. The Lord and His two Consorts become involved in a verbal dual and the event finally ends with the Lord pacifying His two Consorts. The festival of Sriya Samvada’, meaning dialogue between Lord and his two consorts, is celebrated as Pranayakalahotsavam.

Kaka Pudi or Kaka Bali Utsavam is observed on the day of Kanuma – the day after Sankranti. After puja a Harati and a plate containing rice balls, plain, or mixed with turmeric or kumkum (sindhoor), are taken in a procession around Vimana Prakaram, and then placed in front of the Golden well. After the worship, the Archakas give these colored rice balls to Jeeyangar Swami, Devasthanam staff, who in turn throws them on the Ananda Nilaya Vimanam around Vimana Pradakshina.

Swami Pushkarini Theertha Mukkoti - Lord Venkateswara’s weapon Sudarsana chakra is taken out for procession around four mada streets, and is taken to Sri Varahaswami temple. Sri Sudarsana is given sacred bath on the banks of Swami Pushkarini and is taken for a holy dip in the celestial waters of the sacred pond.