Teppotsavam 2020, Tirupati ,Andhra Pradesh, India.

Teppotsavam

Tirupati, Andhra, Pradesh India.

 Teppotsavam at Pushkarini

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Time Required : February - March

Entry Fee : INR 500

Timings : 9th March 2020 - 13 March 2020

Teppotsavam, Tirupati Overview

Tirumala Tirupati Teppotsavam otherwise called as the float festival is one of the most popular boat festival held at the Krishna Temple at Tirupati. Falling every year in the month of Chaitra (March) according to the Hindu Calendar, the celebrations are held on a grand scale for five days. Amidst the chants hailing Lord Govinda, the Teppotsavam is a spectacular display of culture, religion, tradition and devotion of devotees. The festival takes place at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh and will be held on the 17th of March 2019.

Dates of Teppotsavam

In 2020 the event is slated to begin on 9th March and extend till 13th March. The Teppotsavam is a five-day festival held in the Hindu month of Phalguna or Chaitra (depending on the date), which occurs in February-March. The days leading up to Phalguna Pournami (full moon day) are hailed as the Teppotsavam days. The five days are according to the lunar calendar, as follows – Ekadasi, Dvadasi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi and Pournami. The dates in the Gregorian calendar vary every year. In 2019 the festival was held between 17th March and 21st March.

The processions are held in the evening, usually between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The hour-long event begins at the holy tank.

Teppotsavam Tickets

Day: INR 500

Arjitha Seva: INR 200

Devotees are expected to book the time of their darshan in advance, and online bookings on the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam website are preferred. You are expected to carry a proof of identity to the venue after booking your slot online. Bookings open 90 days before the commencement of the festival. You must assemble 40 minutes before the event begins, to verify credentials.

The Teppotsavam Seva is priced at INR 500 per person per day. Devotees are given offerings of silk garments, a blouse piece and prasadam as part of the Seva. The seva or prayer following the Teppotsavam is called Arjitha Seva. This includes prasadam too. The famed Tirupati laddu is lip-smackingly delicious! This sweet meat is made from ghee, sugar, raisins, cashews and gram flour, and is a must-have here!

On each day leading up to the grand finale, different floats are led to the Srivari Pushkarini, the divine tank. The idols of the deities are called Utsav Murtis, as they are specially designed to be brought outside the sanctum. The idols are carried around the temple complex through the mada streets, which lie just outside the main building. After circumambulating the tank, the Murtis are mounted on colourfully decorated floats and carried out to the middle of the tank to the Vasantha Mandapam. This Mandapam is a four-pillared structure built in the Pushkarini, where special prayers are held.

Teppotsavam decoration
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On Ekadasi, the first day, a decorated float bearing Lord Rama, his divine consort Lady Sita and Lord Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman are taken out to the tank. As the procession completes three rounds around the mada streets, onlookers are treated to soothing chants of the Holy Scriptures and majestic music from local musicians. 

 On the second day – Dvadasi, another incarnation of Lord Vishnu – Lord Krishna and his consort Lady Rukmini, are taken out on a heavenly ride to the tank. As the invocations call on the Lords to bestow mercy and prosperity on the devotees, the sight is truly mesmerising to watch. After three rounds of the procession, the deities are taken to the pond. 

Krishna Idol

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On Trayodashi, Chaturdashi and Pournami – the third, fourth and final day -, finely decked floats carrying the presiding deity of Tirumala – Sri Malayappa Swami and his consorts Lady Sridevi and Lady Bhudevi are brought to the Srivari Pushkarini amidst much fanfare. Three, five and seven rounds are taken out respectively on the third, fourth and fifth days of the Teppotsavam.

As the days progress, the deities are taken out on more rounds around the temple complex. On the final day, Pournami, the floats are taken out seven times, much to the joy of the devotees. As the full moon shines divinely on the spectators, special prayers and rituals are observed in the tank. Spectacularly decorated with lights, colours, fragrant flowers and streamers, the structures are indeed a sight to behold. Nadaswaram, a traditional wind instrument, lends divine music as priests recite holy mantras and pray for the wellbeing of humanity. You are bound to be enthralled by the fabulous display!