Sri Venkateswara Jayanti is the” birth celebration” of Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji). This day commemorates the day that the image of Sri Venkateswara Swami became manifested in this world. Unlike other images that are made by humans and then consecrated according to the Agama Sastras, Sri Venkateswara Swami is the selfmanifested form of the Lord. In other words, Sri Maha Vishnu took the form of Sri Venkateswara Swami and descended from Vaikuntha to settle in this world (Bhuloka) on the banks of the Pushkarani in the Tirupati hills. This important event happened during the month of Bhadrapada Masa (or Puratasi month) on an auspicious day with the Janma Nakshatram (birth star) of “Sravana,” which usually comes in the month of October. This birth celebration Mahotsavam of Sri Venkateswara Swami is conducted every year in Tirupati on a very large scale with majestic utsavams.

          During Sri Venkateswara Jayanti, we perform Sudarsana homam as a major part of our offerings to Sri Balaji. There is a strong connection between Sri Sudarsana and Sri Maha Vishnu. Sri Sudarsana is in the form of the Chakram, the radiant disc seen on the upper right hand of Sri Balaji. The name Sudarsana means, “He is the beautiful One, who shows us the auspicious path of reaching Sri Balaji.” The worship of Sri Sudarsana through Sudarsana homam has been performed for thousands of years to acquire knowledge, wealth, health, long life, and to remove obstacles in life. The Sudarsana Mantra japam and Sudarsana homam gives knowledge (jnana) and freedom from fears of every kind. Legend has it that Sri Sudarsana was a key aide to Sri Maha Vishnu and took many forms in all of his major avatars for the protection of mankind.

          Sri Venkateswara Jayanti is celebrated in our Temple as a two-day event. On the evening of the first day, the priests recite Vedic mantras to invoke the various Devas to be present in kumbhas, which are special vessels filled with water and placed in the Yagasala. The priests do homam with the chanting of the Sudarsana Gayatri and Sudarsana Mula Mantra accompanied by offerings to Agni, the sacred fire in the Kundam (fire pedestal). The program continues on the morning of the next day with the repetition of Sudarsana homam. At the conclusion of the homam, Purnahuti, the grand sacrifice, is offered to God. The remains from the burnt offerings (Havis and Purnahuti) are placed on the forehead of participants at the end of the Sudarsana Homam as a protection against every kind of inauspiciousness. The priests carry the Pradhana Kalsams filled with consecrated water on their heads, and circle the premises of the Temple and proceed to the main hall. The priests do abhishekam for the utsava vigraha of Sri Venkateswara Swami. After this, the consecrated water is poured on the utsava murti. The vigrahas are taken in procession around the Temple premises on the Sesha chariot (vahana). This is followed by Mantra Pushpam, Archana, Sathumurai, and Satari and Prasadam distribution and blessings from the priests. Finally, golden flowers (svarna pushpam) are offered to the feet of the mula vigraha of Balaji, accompanied by archana with his 108 names. By performing the auspicious Sri Sudarsana Homa, Sri Venkateswara Swami will manifest his power to protect his devotees and grant their wishes. Afterwards, a festive lunch is served to the devotees.