Annual event at Padmavati Devi temple from November 15

TIRUPATI: The annual Navahnika Karthika Brahmotsavam at the famous temple of Goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi will start on November 15 and will last till November 23 and will showcase the splendour and grandeur of the goddess. On the lines of Tirumala Srivari Brahmotsavams, Lord Brahma, the Creator had the privilege of having performed the first festival for the goddess and hence the event is named after him as “Brahmotsavams.”

It is believed that the incarnation of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi happened on a Friday on Panchami Tithi in Vijaya Lagana Uttaradhada Nakshatram during Suklapaksha. It happened in the month of Karthika with the goddess showing up in a 1,000-petal lotus flower as the beautiful 16-year girl in Padma Sarovaram, the holy temple tank.

Since she appeared in the golden lotus, she is revered by various names like Padmalaye, Padmahasta, Padmapriye, Padmini, Padmasini, Padmavathi, Padmaja and many more with each of them having Padma as prefix. In Tirumala Lord Malayappa takes ride along with His Consorts on Kalpavriksha, Sarvabhupala, Mutyapupandiri, Swarna Ratham and Rathotsavam while Goddess Padmavathi Devi as “Sarva Swatanta Lakshmi” takes ride on all vahanams all alone displaying her elegance. It will be a visual spectacle for the devotees to watch the divine mother taking pleasure ride on various vahanams with royalty that would showcase her grandeur during these nine days of the annual event.