Balaji Jayanti
Balaji Jayanti is
a highly revered Hindu festival that is celebrated with great splendour all
over the country. It is observed on the ‘Ashtami’ tithi (8th day) of the
‘Krishna Paksha’ (the waning phase of moon) during the month of ‘Margashirsha’
in the Hindu lunar calendar.
The day of Balaji Jayanti, as the name implies,
commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Balaji. The devotees on this
auspicious day throng the 600 years old Tirupati Balaji Temple and offer
prayers. Special rituals and prayers are organized on this day in the temple.
Hindus worship Sri Balaji devotedly on this day to seek His blessings for a
prosperous and happy life. Balaji Jayanti is one of the most awaited events in
Lord Balaji temples in Southern India.
Significance of Balaji Jayanti:
Balaji Jayanti is an auspicious
event for Hindus. According to the Hindu mythological stories, Lord Vishnu
incarnated as Balaji for the upliftment of humanity and to free earth from all
the evils. He is also worshipped as Lord Venkatesh on this day. The Tirupati
Temple is considered to be the ‘Vaikunth’ (Lord Vishnu’s celestial abode) of
Kalyug. It is believed that by worshipping Lord Balaji removes all the fears
and fills one’s life with never-ending happiness and success. By praying to
Lord Venkatesh wholeheartedly on Balaji Jayanti all the desires will be
fulfilled. Lord Balaji helps His devotees to attain peace and also work for the
welfare of others. A person who performs Lord Balaji puja with dedication also
attains ‘moksha’ or salvation in the end.
Rituals
during Balaji Jayanti:
- The preparations for
Balaji Jayanti begin several days in advance. On this day, the temples are
cleaned and beautifully decorated with flowers. For this occasion, Lord
Balaji is adorned with new clothes and jewelry.
- On the day of Balaji
Jayanti devotees get up at the time of dawn and take an early bath. They
then perform the ‘Angapradakshina’ of the temple and surrender themselves
to Lord Balaji. Hindus worship Him with full devotion, love and faith on
this day. In the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Maha Aarti is performed in the
evening, which is witnessed by thousands of devotees from every corner of
the country. Prasad is distributed at the end of all the ceremonies.
- Some devotees even
worship Lord Balaji in their homes. They present kumkum, garlands and
other sacred offerings to the image or idol of Lord Balaji.
- On this day chanting
Vedic mantras like ‘Om Namo Narayana’ that are dedicated to Lord Balaji is
considered to be highly rewarding. These acts of devotion purify the soul
and take the person close to the Supreme Being.
- In some communities
there is also a tradition of offering hair to Lord Balaji. This act is
done to free the soul from all ego and negative feelings.
2016 Date : 21st December.
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