Tirumala Srivari Pavitrotsavams to Begin August 23 at Venkateswara Temple

A big religious festival called Srivari Pavitrotsavams is happening at a famous Hindu temple in Tirumala, India.

The temple is the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, one of the most sacred places for many Hindus.

The festival will take place from August 23 to August 25.

A special starting ceremony called Ankurarpanam will happen one day earlier, on August 22.

The festival is about cleaning the temple and asking for forgiveness for any mistakes made during the year's prayers and ceremonies.

Every morning, a special holy bath called Snapana Tirumanjanam will be given to the processional deities.

In the evenings, Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts will be carried through the Mada Streets so devotees can see them and receive blessings.

Because of the festival, some regular services like Kalyanotsavam and Unjal Seva will be cancelled for a few days.

This tradition is very old, having been held in the temple hundreds of years ago, and was brought back by the temple authority in 1962.