““Pavitra” means “purification” and “utsava” means fesitival. The Pavitrotsavam is a ceremony of purification which should be performed annually in Vaishnava temples. According to the Agama Shastras, this religious function is performed to maintain a very high level of purity in the temple environment so that the Lord’s divine power (sannidhyam) is fully manifested. The Pavitrotsavam is also a "Prayascitta" or penance for any inadvertent omissions or  shortcomings that might have occurred in the rituals and festivals over the past year.

        Pavitrotsavam is performed every year in the Tirumla Tirupati Devasthan and has been established as an important function and tradition of the Devasthan. Beginning in 2005, the Balaji Temple inaugurated this festival in a style that is similar to the practices of Tirupati Devasthanam and in accordance with the Vaikhanasa Agama Shastras.

        The Pavitrotsavam at our Temple is celebrated in the month of Ashadha (July) over a four-day period, with the conclusion on the Ashadha Purnima day. This utsavam is performed earlier than the Pavitrosavam in Tirupati. However, the month of Ashadha is one of the months sanctioned for this utsavam in the Vaikhanasa Agamas. The reason for the early occurrence of this utsavam is to take advantage of the better weather in July. The four-day religious ceremony consists of homas, chanting of Vedic mantras, and other purification rites in preparation of the “Pavitras,” which are sacred threads in the form of garlands that come from Tirupati. On the evening of the concluding day, these sanctified “Pavitras” adorn the deities during the “Pavitra-aropana” sacred ceremony thereby creating an atmosphere charged with religious fervor and divine power. At the conclusion, the sponsors receive the blessings and the pavitras that were worn by the vigrahas.