On the fifth day of Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavam Lord
Venkateswara enthralled his devotees by appearing in the form of celestial
beauty Mohini (female costumes) and lived up to his reputation as an “alankara
priyudu (well dressed, be-jewelled
handsome personality).
As legends put it Lords appearance as bejeweled and
charming Mohini throws the demons (Asura’s) in confusion and wins the celestial
battle in favor of the Devatas. The objective
of the Mohini avatar
is also to indicate that the
entire universe is spell bound under the
Mystic Mohini and that the Lord of
Tirumala is the king pin and key architect of this high drama in the universe.
The superb decoration of the idol baffles even young damsels wondering at
richness of the jewels and also the beauty of the utsava idol of Mohini.
The devout say that
by appearing as Mohini during
the Srivari Brahmotsavam Lord Venkateswara had sent a message that
the entire universe was a
creation of his Maya. To overcome
this maya everyone should worship him.
Among the various forms donned by Lord MahaVishnu,
Mohini-the universal beauty is the adorable form of supernaturally beautiful
Enchantress. Through Mohini Avatara the lord enlightens his devotees not to
fall prey to worldly desires and come out of that "Maya".
At the same time Lord Venkateswara appears as a child
Sri Krishna before his countless devotees on a pallaki (palanquin) made of
ivory and Rose woodpresented to the Temple by the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore.
It is a pleasant surprise to see Srivaru decked up as
Mohini and riding in a bright white palanquin made of silver and ivory. The superbly carved palanquin highlighted the
Mohini who cast her spell on non-believers and transformed them into His ardent
disciples.