By M.K.Sudarshan
September 16 2026, Chennai, India
The Salakatla Brahmotsavam of 2026 commenced at Tirumala on 15 September, renewing this remarkable ceremonial link between the Akasa Ganga, the Tholappacharya (Vadakalai Sri Vaishnava) tradition, and the worship of Sri Venkateswara.
The annual Srivari Brahmotsavam at Tirumala is a nine-day celebration honouring Lord Venkateswara. It commenced yesterday , 15 September 2026.
As part of its traditional opening observances, sacred water from Akasa Ganga is ceremonially brought to the temple.
A representative of the hereditary Tholappacharya lineage carries the water pot while riding a richly caparisoned temple elephant. (In the attached photos and videos, the Thozhappachari priest is Tirumalakumara Sri Mukundan , who happens also to be my first cousin on the paternal side of the family. As Acharya Purusha of the temple he performs ordained duties as per the temple Kovil Olugu instituted by Sri Ramanuja. He is seen in one photo here sharing a candid moment with the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Chandrababu Naidu).
Accompanied by music and ceremonial honours, the procession gives a striking public expression to an ancient act of service: bringing the waters of the sacred spring for the Lord’s worship.
The 11th Century CE tradition is associated with Sri Tirumala Nambi (maternal uncle and Acharya of Sri Ramanujacharya) the celebrated devotee and servant of Lord Venkateswara, whose daily service included fetching water for the deity.
The elephant, the water pot, and the hereditary bearer together evoke the continuity of temple service across the centuries.
What appears to be a pageant is therefore also a ritual remembrance—of devotion offered as duty, of sacred water as divine grace, and of a living tradition carried from one generation to the next.
Namo Namo Venkateshaaya ! 🙏🙏🙏💐💐🌼
