Upload
trinhnhan
View
312
Download
11
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
CHAPTER ll
HISTORY OF TlRUMALA TlRUPATl TEMPLES
11. HISTORY OF TIRUMALA TIRUPATI TEMPLES
T h e h i s t o r i c a l T i ruma la Venkateswara t emp le i s
well known i n I n d i a . M i l l i o n s o f d e v o t e e s f l o c k t o t h e
s a c r e d p l a c e a l l t h r o u g h t h e y e a r . "Every day i s a f e s t i v a l
day a t T i r u r n a l a " ~ which is f i l l e d w i th c o l o u r f u l 'u tchavarns '
t o t h e Lordl who is b e l i e v e d t o be t h e l i v i n g God on t h e
e a r t h . The t o p o f t h e ill where t h e Lord s t a n d s i n a l l
g l o r y i a a b o u t 2000 f t . h i g h a m i d s t t h e c l u s t e r of Seven
Hills as a p a r t o f Mount Meru. According t o l e g e n d l t h e
Seven Hills a r e s a i d t o r e p r e s e n t t h e hood of t h e King o f
s e r p e n t s - Adisesha . The Hindu concep t ion r e g a r d i n g t h e
c h a i n o f t h e s e H i l l s is t h a t t h e y d e p i c t t h e body o f t h e
s e r p e n t Adisesha , on which r e e t a t h e God Vishnu, t h e
p r o t e c t o r o f t h e wor ld . The Seven H i l l s of t h e s a c r e d r e g i o n
a r e b e l i e v e d t o r e p r e s e n t t h e heads o f Adisesha t t h e c e n t r e
o f s e r p e n t i n e body b e i n g t h e s e a t o f Narasimhal and t h e
t a i l - e n d of t h e abode o f M a l l i k a r j u n a of ~ r i s a i l a . The
b e g i n n i n g , t h e midd l e and t h e end o f t h e v a s t c r e a t i o n ,
p r e s i d e d o v e r r e s p e c t i v e l y by t h e T r i n i t y - Brahmal Vishnu l
and S i v a l and t h a t t h e S e r p e n t w i t h it's s e v e r a l c o i l s is
s a i d t o d e n o t e l imi t less time i n a cosmic c o n c e p t i o n .
Andhra Pradesh is t h e ' f o u r t h l a r g e s t s t a t e i n
I n d i a . I t haa a p o p u l a t i o n o f 6 ,63 ,041854 a p p r o x i m a t e l y
c o v e r i n g an a r e a of 2175,068 s q u a r e k i l o meters.
~ h y s i o g r a p h i c a l l y T i r u p a t i - r i r u m a l a a r e s i t u a t e d i n t h e
d i s t r i c t of hitt to or^ Andhra P r a d e s h , i n t h e S o u t h e r n r e g i o n
o f 1 n d i a . A c t u a l l y T i ruma la is s i t u a t e d a m i d s t p i c t u r e s q u e
s u r r o u n d i n g s o f t h e t o p o f 860 metre h igh s p r a w l i n g s e v e n
h i l l s o f t h e Lord. On t h e Hills t h e Lords t emp le is l o c a t e d
c o n s t r u c t e d and l a t e r deve loped by v a r i o u s g e n e r a t i o n s of
Royal d e v o t e e s and commoners. T h i s t emple i s o n e of t h e
s a c r e d l a n c i e n t and o u t s t a n d i n g t emp le s i n s o u t h I n d i a . The
name of t h e d e i t y is S r i Lord Venkateswara. The d e i t y is
c a l l e d i n South Tndia ae S r i n i v a s , i n t h e s t a t e o f Andhra
P radesh a s 'Yedu Kondala Venkateswara" and i n t h e Nor th a s
B a l a j i . The Bea t of Lord Venkateswara i . e . , t h e d e i t y of t h e
Great t r a d i t i o n s of Hinduisml h a s n a t u r a l l y made T i r u p a t i - a g r e a t r e l i g i o u s impor t ance f o r a l l t h e p e o p l e i n o u r
c o u n t r y on g e n e r a l and p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r ~ i n d u s . Lord
Venkateswara is known f o r h i s s u r e and immediate r e s p o n s e t o
t h e P r a y e r s of h i s d e v o t e e a and t h i s a c c o u n t s f o r t h e
t h o u s a n d s of p e o p l e v i s i t i n g t h e Lord t h roughou t t h e year
from a11 o v e r I n d i a . Even t h e h i l l s and f o r e s t s amidst which
t h e L o r d ' s t e m p l e h a s s t o o d have been deemed p a r t i c u l a r l y
S a c r e d and Holy. No o t h e r Sou th 1 n d i a Temple h a s a t t r a c t e d
s o many p i l g r i m s o r h a s been more o p u l e n t .
The H i l l on which t h e a l l - p o w e r f u l Venkateswara
t emp le is l o c a t e d is su r rounded by s e v e r a l h i l l s a t a n
a l t i t u d e l n o r t h : 3626 ft. h i g h l e a s t : 2750 f t . h igh1 s o u t h :
2920 t . and sou th -ea s t : 3620 f t . h igh . T h e r e is no
e v i d e n c e t o show when and by whom t h e famous Venkateawara
t emp le h a s been b u i l t . Even t h e a r c h i t e c t u r e af t h e t emp le
s t r u c t u r e d o e s n o t o f f e r any c l u e t o t h e o r i g i n as it was
b e l i e v e d t o be r e c o n s t r u c t e d i n t h e t h i r t e e n t h c e n t u r y .
The O r i g i n of Lord Venkateswara Temple
The T i ruma la H i l l s l a c c o r d i n g t o t h e P u r a n a s ~ are
one p a r t o f Mount Meru, and q u i t e d e a r t o Lord Vishnu l t h e
supreme D e i t y l and s a i d t o be a s p o r t i n g p l a c e o f t h e Lord
i n va ikuntapuram. The Lord was brought t o t h e e a r t h by h i e
vahana ( v e h i c l e ) Garuda. Tho peak o r i g i n a l l y was c a l l e d
'Ananda' t h e r e s t i n g p l a c e o f Lord Vishnu. A f i g h t between
Adisesha and Vayu broke o u t , and c o n s e q u e n t l y t h e g r e a t
mountain b roke u p and f e l l on t h e e a r t h . A l a t e r v e r s i o n
b r i n g s o u t t h a t t h e Lord Seshu p r e v e n t e d Vayul t h e God o f
windal from e n t e r i n g vaikuntam. Both Vayu and Seeha a rgued
u n t i l Vishnu i n t e r v e n e d . Seaha appea red t o have b o a s t e d t h a t
he was s t r o n g and t h a t Vayu was n o t e q u a l t o him i n s t r e n g t h
and v i g o u r . The Lord Vishnu s a i d t o himl " L e t t h e r e be a
c o n t e s t . I s h a l l judge; c o i l y o u r s e l f round t h e peak o f
Ananda which is a n o f f s p r i n g of Meru; c o i l among t h e peak
w i t h t h e s t r e n g t h . Vayu s h a l l t h e n t r y t o d i s l o d g e you from
the ill".' Vayu then fiercely moved with the result that
the inhabitants of the three worlds became greatly
distressed. SO they approached Adiaesha and represented to
him that the immediate reaction of their power was
disastrous to all others. To mitigate the problem they
requested Adisesha, the more amiable of the two to just lift
one of his thousand hoods for a second. As a result, a
portion of Meru was blown away, a bit reaching the earth in
Tirumala hills1 and assumed the name '~eehachalam' since
then. 2
Lord Vishnul according to the first versionl
appeared in the form of Boar (Varaha)# and manifested
Himself on the bank of the holy Pushkarini in Divya Vimanam
on the Hill of Venkatachalam. The Puranas reveal that at the
request of Brahma and others1 the Lord took his present form
at the end of Dwaparayuga in his infinite grace and Love
towards the weak and sinning people on the earth. The
celestials including Brahma are said to worship the Lord at
Tirumala at Nityasuriesl invisible to the eyes of the
mortals.
1. - Sri Venkateswara, P.Sitapathil p.83.
2. History of Tirupati, (V01.l)l Sri T.K.T.Veeraragavachary1 pp .31-32-
Legends and B e l i e f s
Bhavishya Purana mentions how t h e Lord ' s i d o l was
discovered by t h e then ruler, Tondaiman, i n an a n t - h i l l
under a tamarind t r e e on t h e bank of t h e Swami ~ u s h k a r i n i ,
Th i s a l s o suppor t s t h e legend a s soc i a t ed with the
cons t ruc t i on of t h e first temple of t h e Lord i n Kaliyuga.
After t h i s i n c i d e n t , ~ i n g ~onda iman who came t o worship t h e
Lord Venkateswara a t Tirumala was commanded by H i m , and
s a i d r "1 have become a house-holder. I t is not proper t h a t I
should be homeless. Const ruc t a temple f o r me. The c r e d i t
f o r t h i s s h a l l be t h i n e " . 3
Then t h e r u l e r Tondiman took an oa th t h a t he
should obey Hi8 orde r s . Following i t , Lord Venkateswara and
H ~ S consor t Padmavathi Devi s e l e c t e d t h e p l ace for t h e
temple on t h e sou thern side of swami Pushkar in i tank on
Tirumala Hills. The Lord d e s i r e d t h a t t h e temple should have
two gopurams, a dwaja stambham, t h r e e prakarams, eeven
doors , mantapams f o r Yoga and Asthanas, a shed f o r c a t t l e
house f o r s t o r i n g g r a i n , o i l , ghee and households f o r
d in ing , decora t ion and ornaments. I n accordance with h i s
vow, Tondaiman cons t ruc ted a good temple f o r Cord
Venkateswara a s d i r e c t e d , and it was studded with prec ious
gemsr and a spendid-looking vimanam. The Lord g l a d l y
3. -- Fairs and ~ e s t i v a l e - i n C h i t t o o r D i s t r i c t , Andhra Pradeeh.
a c c e p t e d t h e Ananda N i t y a Vimanam a s His r e s i d e n c e a t
T i rumala .
Another P u r a n i c c o n c e p t r e v e a l s t h a t t h e T i ruma la
ills a l o n g w i t h t h e Hills of Ahobilam and t h e r a n g e o f
a ills a t S r i s a i l a m form t h e body o f h d i s e s h a . G e o g r a p h i c a l l y
i t is a known f a c t t h a t t h e s e B i l l s g i v e t h e appea rance o f a
cobra w i t h i t s hood r a i s e d l ba sk ing i n t h e open aun. T h e
Seven Hills r e p r e s e n t e d t h e Seven Hoode of ~ d i e e s h a and t h e
Lord as Kalingamardhana! ~ r i s h n a who is presumed t o dance on
t h e ~ d i s e s h a r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e rythm i n t h e limitless cosmos.
Another v e r s i o n t e l l s t h e s t o r y t h a t i n t h e e a r l y
p e r i o d s o f ~ a l i y u g a i n K a l a h a s t i , t h e r e l i v e d a p i o u s and
l e a r n e d Brahmin named Purandara Somayaj i . A f t e r pe r fo rming
penance , he was b l e s s e d w i t h a mlae c h i l d named Madhavat who
u n l i k e h i s l e a r n e d f a t h e r was l u s t f u l . He t o o k a f a n c y f o r a
c h a n d a l a woman. He gave up a l l c a s t e r u l e s and l i v e d w i t h
h e r h a p p i l y f o r a p e r i o d of t w e l v e y e a r s on the banks o f
Kr i shna . S u b s e q u e n t l y r he became c r a z y 1 roamed a b o u t , and
fo l l owed a p a r t y of k i n g s , on a p i l g r i m a g e t o T i rumala .
Cl imbing t h e H i l l l he s t o o d a l o n g w i t h o t h e r s i n f r o n t of
t h e t emple . A h o r r i b l e s t a n c e b rought a l l t h e Devas from
heaven t o e a r t h t o d i s c o v e r t h e r e a s o n . Sudden ly l t h e r e s h o t
up a f i r e enveloping h i s body and b u r n t a l l h i s s i n s . From
t h e n , t h e h i l l came t o be c a l l e d ' ~ e n k a t a c h a l a ' meaning t h e
Hill which burnt away all sins. It was believed that Madhava
would be reborn aa the illegitimate son of Chola King to be
ruled over the region of Tondamandalam. Later, the Hill
assumed several namesr and most of them proved quite
significant, such as 'Se~hachala~~ '~arudachala'
Venkatadri', 'NarayanadritI 'Vri~habhadril~ l~eshadril,
'Anjanadri't 'Varahadril. These are found in the following
Suprabhata version of the Lord1 recited in the morning hours
every day Tirumala Hillst as the waking recital for Lord
Venkateswara.
SRI SESHA SAILA GARUDACHALA VENKATADRI, NARAYANADRI, VRUSHABHADRI, VRUSHADRI, MUKHYAM, RKHYAM TWEDEYA VASATVAMISAM VADANTSE SRI VENKATACHALAPATHE TAWA SUPRABHATAM. .4 so goes.
The earliest mention of Lord Venkateswara's shrine
was made in ~holkappiarn~~ a work of the second century B.C.
out of twelve Alwars of Sri ~aishnavas~ ten of them had
gloriously hymned the Lord Venkateswara.
Etymologicallyr the term Lord venkateswara means
both 'venkatal and '~swara' that isr Venkata denoting
vishnu, and Eswara ~iva. Thusr the term reveals the
traditions of both ~aishnavisrn and ~haivisrn. Generally, Sri
Vaishnavas hold that the Lord is exclusively ~ishnut while
4. Suprabhatam version. 5. Reference in Tholkappiam.
S h a i v i t e s who c o n s i d e r t h e Lord a s t h e i r d e i t y Lord S i v a t o
h o l d i n e q u a l and s i m i l a r r e g a r d t h a t He is Lord S iva . Some
d e v o t e e s f i r m l y b e l i e v e t h a t t h e d e i t y is ~ d i p a r a s a k t h i .
Some of them c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e Lord is t h e un ion or a
combina t ion o f t h e e l e m e n t s of Vishnu and s i v a . It i s i n
f a c t ' Hari-Hara M u r t i l . From t h e s e v i ew-po in t s ,
e t y m o l o g i c a l l y r t h e term 'Har i -Hara ' d e n o t e s t h e two d e i t i e s
of Lord Vishnu and S i v a . That is , ~ a r i meaning Vishnu, and
Hara , S i v a . Thus , o u t of t h e combinat ion of these two terms
'Har i -Hara ' . f i n a l l y h a s emerged t h e term 'Venka t e swara ' .
The o r i g i n o f t h e t emp le a t Ti rumala seemed v a r i e d
i n ~ h a r a c t e r . ~ The b a s i c p o i n t is t h a t Lord v i shnu came t o
r e s i d e i n t h e Seven Hills f o r which an o c c a s i o n and a
meaningful c a u s e have t o be unders tood t h rough t h e s t o r y o f
t h e S a i n t B r i g h u 1 s i n v e s t i g a t i o n to d i s c o v e r t h e supreme
Godt a s n a r r a t e d below:
Once upon a time, t h e Sap tha m a h a r i s h i e s A t r i ,
Kasyapha, Bharadwaja, ~ i s w a m i t r a , Gowtamat V a t i s h t a ,
Jamadagni, and o t h e r s t performed Yaga t o promote p l a c e i n t h e
c o u n t r y . But, j u s t b e f o r e o f f e r i n g t h e ' H a r i e l t o Devandrat
t h e g r e a t s a i n t Bhrugu was a sked to d i s c o v e r t h e most
p a t i e n t God among t h e t h r e e m u r t i e s , i . e . Brahma, S i v a , and
6. According t o P u r a n i c T r a d i t i o n , t h e o r i g i n o f Venkateswara t emple is v a r i e d i n c h a r a c t e r .
28
Vishnu, and which of the three manifestations was really the
supreme. There is no doubt that the Supreme is only onel but
He manifests ~imself in three forms as Sattarat Rajasat and
Tlamasa~ dominating in each case, and discharging the
essential functions of creation1 protection, and destruction
respectively. Each of these functions has been assigned to
each one of the three deities, Brahma in charge of all
creations, Vishnu, looking after all creations with the
dominating character of Sattara~ i.e.l the Strength.
Finally, Sival who is deputed to the function of
destruction, his quality being Thamasa. But a t the back of
all these classifications, there is the notion which makes
all the three except the manifestations of the one, each one
of the three being regarded as the Supreme. In this matter
of unity, there is the possibility of two classea - those
who make Siva the Supreme Deity, and those who make vishnul
the Supremel Brahma often not appearing. It is this
integrity and unity in type that formed the main contention
of the discussion of these wise men. But they found good and
important causes for regarding each one of these deities as
the main and Supreme Deity, and unable to decide once for
all.
So Maharishi Bhrugu, the most dominant and the
wisest figure among the saints, was commissioned to on a
pilgrimage to various abodes of these deities to personally
d i s c o v e r t h e Supreme d e i t y t h r o u g h h i s p e r s o n a l o b s e r v a t i o n .
Acco rd ing ly , Bhrugu f i r s t v i s i t e d t h e abode o f Brahma i n
S a t y a Loka, o t h e r w i s e cal led Brahma Loka. Brahma was i n f u l l
a s sembly , and He t r e a t e d t h e g u e s t , B h r u g u ~ w i t h a l l
r e s p e c t , b u t w i t h o u t d u e fo rms of welcome, p e r h a p s r e a l i s i n g
t h e pu rpose of h i s v i s i t . ~ a k s h r n i , c o n s i d e r i n g t h e i n c i d e n t
as i n e x c u s s a b l e , l e f t Va ikun ta t o do penance on t h e e a r t h .
S a i n t Bhrugu r e t u r n e d and r e p o r t e d what had t a k e n p l a c e i n
t h e abodea h e v i s i t e d . On t h e b a s i s of h i s r e p o r t , all v o t e d
i n f a v o u r o f Lord Vishnu as t h e Supreme God.
T h i s gave t h e o c c a s i o n f o r Goddess Lakehmi t o p i c k
up a q u a r r e l w i t h h e r husband. Bhrugu ' s k i c k on t h e c h e a t o f
t h e Lord f e l l on h e r . C o n s e q u e n t l y r s h e became a n g r y f e e l i n g
t h a t Lord Vishnu s h o u l d n o t have a l lowed such an a c t t o t a k e
p l a c e . So s h e d e c l i n e d t o remain on Her c o n s o r t ' s c h e s t 1 and
l e f t t h e Heaven.Lord Vishnu u n a b l e t o bea r the s e p a r a t i o n o f
Hie c o n s o r t ~ a k s h m i , d e c i d e d t o g o t o a s u i t a b l e p l a c e t o
spend H i s time p e a c e f u l l y r and d i s c o v e r e d a b e a u t i f u l s i te
on t h e S e s h a c h a l a H i l l .
GOVINDARAJA TEMPLE, TIRUPATI
Tirupati Town came into existence in the middle of
the twelfth centuryr with the building of Sri Govindaraja
temple. Before that there was a small village named Kottur
to adjacent the place where the Govindaraja temple stoodr
there was a small idol dedicated to Lord Krishna. It was
said that the famous Vaishnava teacher Ramanuja founded the
Govindaraja temple and a small settlement around the temple
called Ramanujapuramt confined to four Mada streets. During
Vijayanagar dynatastiest the settlement grew, and the temple
attracted the pilgrims visiting Tirumala.
The accession of Kulottunga (1070-1120 A.D.) had
significant conseuqences as far as ~aishnavism in Southern
India was concerned! as the king was an ardent Saiva.
Vaishnava activities at that time under Ramanuja were
predinent, with the result then religious rival groups,
asserted that there was nothing greater than siva and vice
versa. Recalling the insulting attitude of the Vaishnavas
Kulottunga remarked that the proper place for vishnu was not
the earth! but the sea. As a result, the vaishnavas became
insecure! fearing the safety of their God. They got into the
sanctum and took possession of the utaavamurti and feed from
Chidambaran to Kottur! hiding the idol. Not risking the
hostility of the chola ruler! Ramanuja fled to the Hoyasala
kingdom when then flourished in the modern Mysore State.
Ramanuja lived there for years and returned to Srirangam
Only after the death of Kolottunga in 1120 A.D. He vieited
Tirumala in the meantime and realised that the idol of
Govindaraja brought from Chidambaram was hidden below the
Hill. He put up a modest for Sri Govindaraja adjacent to the
shrine of Krishna, already in existence. This event was
inscribed about 1130 A.D.
The Govindaraja temple received greater attention
with the advent of Vijayanagar rule over Tondamandalam.
~nteresting data about the Govindaraja temple was
learned from the inscriptions of the Saluva Dynasty as
described.
An inscription of 1456 A.D. states that a Hunting
festival was celebrated on the second day of the month of
Thai. Another record of 1467 A.D. states that Govindaraja,
Sridevi and Bhudevi were given a holy bath with water
obtained from a tank arranged by ~amanuja. An epigraph of
1475 A.D.r reveals the oil and betel offered to Lord
venkateswara were being brought to Govindaraja at the time
of his ~irumanjanam on the day of Krittika star in the month
of Karttika. A certain teacher, named Van-Sathakopa Jiyart
constructed the varandah of the Vasanthamandapamt at the
entrance of the ~ovindaraja shrine, but the unfinished roof
was completed by Nallar-Angan dai during the twelve days of
the Vaikhasi festival. The inscription also reveals that
Govindaraja was taken in procession through the streets on
the day of Sankaramandapam and during the Kanuppadf
festival. One more record of this time mentions that
offerings made to Lord Venkateswara are brought down from
Tirumala to ~irupatil Govindaraja and Sudikuduttanachachiyar
go out to welcome them.
The Govindaraja temple came in for greater
patronage during the rule of the Saluva dynasty of
Vidyanagara. A certain Appa Pillai built a mantapam in front
of the kitchen in I506 A.D.
Special Features of the Temple
There are two shrinesl in the centre o f innermost
enclosure. These two shrined are enclosed by an outer wall.
The shrine to the south is that of Kriehnal popularly known
as Parthasarathi, while the inner shrin to the north is that
of Govindarajal according inscriptions of 16th Century. The
position of gopura face the shrine of Krishnal and not the
shrine of Govindaraja. The innermost gopura wae built in the
13th centuryl and the centralgopuram in the 15th centuryl
and the outermost was built in the 17th century. The
Govindaraja shrine is said to have been built by Ramanuja in
1130 A,D. i,e. a century before the innermost gopura was
b u i l t . S t i l l , the gopura was built so as to face Krishna
shrine and not the Govindaraja shrine. Another peculiar
feature to be seen in thia temple is the mixture of
architectural styles. Inside the Govindaraja shrine the
pillars of the open varandha on the three sides of the
Garbhagriha Antarala and the ~ukharnanta~arn are of the Chola
style while the structures are of a later period.
The data of the present shrine of Govindaraja
reveals that Vaishnava tradition ascribe its building to the
great teacher Ramanuja about 1130 A.D., and the date falls
within the period of Chola rule. The Chola capitals on the
pillars of the varandah round the main shrine and its
mukhamantapam indicate this date. These pillars are similar
to those of Parameawara temple at Jogi-Mallavaram which
belongs to the middle of the 10th centuryh and which is a
pacca Chola temple.
GODDESS PAPPAVATHI AMMAVARI TEMPLE d~ TIRUCHaNUR
S r i Padmavathi temple was b u i l t by S a i n t RamanuSs
111 t h e t w e l f k h c e n t u r y , and t h e wor sh ip i n t h e temple is
a c c o r d a n c e wit The t emp le ie located
about 3 krns . t o t h e
l e g e n d s t t h e Goddess Lakshmi r e v e a l e d H e r s e l f i n a goaden
l o t u s i n t h e Puahka rdn i known a s Padma Sacovaramt which was
b e l i e v e d t o have been dug by t h e Lord w i t h h i s Gadayudha
when He Game t h e r e i n s e a r c h o f Goddess Lakshmi. Among the
f e s t i v a l s conduc t ed t h e r e , Panchami Thdrtham d u r i n g K a r t i k a
Brahmotsvam is Earnous, a t t r a c t i n g a l a r g e number at
d e v o t e e & . On t h a t day pasupuo kurnkum, p a t t u s a r e e t flow&?
g a r l a n d w i t h l a d d u padi are b r o u g h t from T i r u m a l a tawp3.e
w i t h honoure . I t i e b e l i e v e d t h a t the v i s i t t o Yehkatwiw~e
t e m p l e a t z i r u m a l a f u l f i l s ohe'e w i s h e s o n l y after a vEe&
to padmava th i '@ t e m p l e T i ruchahu r . The Abhgdhdk6i3h W3 @had
Goddess i a BoHI bn e v e r y FridQ-
SRI PADMAVATHI AMMAVARX TEMPLE, TIRUCAANUR
PROGRAMME:
Suprabhatham : 5.00 AM TO 5.30 AM
Sahasranamarchana : 5.30 AM TO 6.00 AM ( 4 persons allowed)
Suddhil ~ i r s t Bell : 6.00 AM TO 6.30 AM
Sarva Darsanam : 6.30 AM TO 11.30 AM
Suddhi, 2nd Bell : 11.30 AM TO 12.00 NOON
Sarva Darsanam : 12.00 NOON TO 6.00 PM
Suddhi~ 3rd Bell : 6.00 PM TO 6.30 PM
Sarva Darsanam : 6.30 PM TO 8.45 PM
N i g h t Suddhi : 8 . 4 5 PM TO 9.00 PM
Ekantha Seva : 9.00 PM TO 9.30 PM
ON FRIDAYS:
Abhishekam : 9.00 AM TO 10.00 AM (One person will be allowed for Rs.100/- t i c k e t )
Abhishekam Darsanam : 9.00 AM TO 10.00 A M (~s.5/- per head)
ARJITHA PRASADAMS
ARJITHA SEVAS
Tiruchi Utsavam
E l e p h a n t vahanam
Do sa
Dadhyodhanam
Tiruppavada ~ullihora
Dolotsavam Pongal
(on Fridays only) Chakkarapongal
(5gms Silver dollar Kesaribath
will be given to grihasta) Sakazibath
Seera
In addition to this, devotees can perform Aatothara
aathanama can be performed to Goddess on payment.
SEVAS AT TIRUMALA SHRINE
Daily Sevaa
Every day Sri Venkateswara temple begins with the
Suprabhatham, and the Lord is ceremoniously awakened from
His rest at night. Bhoga Srinivasamurthi is taken from Hia
bed-chamber to the aanctum sanctorium. Harathi, milk and
butter are offered to th@ Lord, and now He is ready to bless
the devotees in His Visvarupadarsanam.
After the sanctified cleaning of the garbhagrihaml
the morning worship of Thomala Seva takes place. Abhishekam
with sacred water brought from Akasaganga is performed to
the Bhoga Srinivasamurthi. The Lord is then adorned with
flowers and garlands. Naivedyam of cooked rice is offered to
the Lord, followed by darsanam to devotees.
At the Lord's durbar, Koluvu srinivasamurthi is
brought to the Tirumamani Mandapam with all paraphernalia.
An account of the previous day's collections in the Hundi is
read out.
Ashtottara Sahaaranama Archana is the next Seva
when the worship is performed in tune with the chanting of
the thousand and one names of the Lord, along with the
participation of the devotees. Following this, all the
cooked food is taken inside the aanctum sanctorum, and it is
t h e day ' s m,ain $.o.od-,offe~ings , to ! the .Lord w i t h W &%&&q
of t h e two b i g b.el1.s i n .Tirumernani Mandapam, .an# d?$aI,qi,; . .
pilgrirne a r a l e t i n ;t.o have f r e e darsanam.
A £ t e r dharma darsanam, . the noon-pu j e .f akee p l a c e
a f t e r sudahi and Ashto,$:ta:r,a Sahasr..an.amam Archana,. A second
o f f e r i n g of pood t o t h e s i n g i n g .of :t.wo b e l l e t a k e s place.
gain, p i l g r i m s a r e allo.w.ed ,to :have Zree dareanam? and it i e
done p r i v a t e l y i n o r d e r . to ,make :mqre time .avai . lab le for
dharma darsanam. During t h e .nig.htl f ~ h o m a l a Seva -ie once
again performed p r i v a t e l y .
Ekanta Seva is t h e Pas t :Seva - for :the ,day in .the
temple1 when Bhoga Sr in ivaeamurth l is !put . to :bed on a ve lve ' t
ma t t e r s s spread over a s w i n g - c ~ , t , ~ :s.uqpended 'by .e:iil.ver cha'ine
i n t h e sayana Mandapam.
A t t h e , r eques t of 8t.he devoteee., !Amant;ranotsava
Seva covering Thomala and Arahana ;Sevae-I ; takes #place .
Devotees can p a r t i c i p a t e kn ~Nktyakar.puriiharath~i
Ni tyanavani ta and Nitya Arc:ha.na :S:evma -a lso iby s p e c i a l
arrangements.
. Af te r f r e e darsanam t o t h e , p i ~ g ~ ~ m e 'foll.owing %h.e
noon-puja Kalyanotaavam is celebrat :ed every ,:day mdt
Kalyana Mandapam when Sri Malayappa Swami (~tsavamurthi)
along with His consorts are brought there from the sanctum
sanctorum~ and regular marriage rituals are performed.
Brahmotsavam can also be performed by devotees in
a shortened form within the temple precincts when Sri
Malayappa Swami and His consorts are worshipped.
Vasantotsavam is also similarly performed by the devotees
for their happiness and prosperity.
Unjal Seva is another colourful event, when Sri
Malayappa Swami and His consorts are seated on a cradle at
Aina Maha11 known as Mirror-Hall, and swung to the
accompaniment of Veda-parayanat and mangala vadyam. The
Utsavamurthies are mounted on the vahanams like Garuda,
Seshat Hanumanthat Elephant and worshipped. The Unjal Seval
known earlier as Anna Unjal Tirunal, dates back to the days
of Saluva Narasirnha of the fifteenth century, and was
performed once a year. Now it takes place as a daily Seva.
Weekly Sevas comprise (1) Vishesha Pooja to take
place on Mondays, and (2) Astadala Pada padmaradhana, to be
celebrated on Tuesdays.
On Wednesdaysr Sahasrakalasabhishekam is peformed.
The Utsavamurthis are brought to the Tirumamani Mandapaml
and abhishekam is done with sanctified water filled in one
thousand and eight vessels.
On Thursdaysr Pulangi Seva is performed to the
Dhruvamurthy. All the ornaments are removedr and the
Tirumann kappu and kasturi on the forehead are scrapped1
leaving just a trace of them. The eyes of the Lord are
visible to a g r e a t e r extent, and the darsan on that occasion
is called 'Netra daraanam'. The Lord is decorated with
flowers and garlands and dressed in blue silk tunicl with
the sword fixed in the waist.
The Tiruppavada Seva consists of offering huge
quantity of cooked rice as pulihora, and it takes place on
Thursdays only. Devotees participate by previous engagement.
On Fridays, ~bhishakam is done to the Dhruvamurthi
and His consorts on His bosom. pancha karpuramt civet oil1
saf front kasturi, turmeric paste, khus-khus, gingelly-oil,
butterr sugar and milkr are the main items used for the
abhishekarn.
Circar UnjaL Seva is performed in the Koluvu
Mandapam every day evening. The ~tsavamurthi along with Hia
consortsr is placed on a decorated unjal (swing).
Sri V e n k a t e a w 8 1 ~ Temple: Tirumala (sri vari ~emple)
Arjitha Seva List (Paid Sevas and Darsanarn)
S1. m e of the Seva NO.
No .of Time Amount persons allowed
1. Special Entrance (For Darsan)
2. Suprabhatha darsanam
3. Amanthranothsavam (For Suprabhatam and Thomala)
4. Thomalaseva
5. Archana
6. Ekantha Seva
7. Vieesha Pooja (only Mondays)
8. Astadhala pada Padmaradhana (Tueedays)
9. ~ahasrakalasabhishekam (~ednesdays)
10. Thiruppavada Seva (~hursdays)
11. Weekly Abhishekam (Fridays)
(a) Poorabhishekam
(b) Civet Vessel
(c) Kasthuri Vessel
(d) Nijapada Darsanaseva
12. ~opnbined Seva on ~ridaya ( ~ h d a & Archana)
13. Sahasra Deepalankara Seva (Everyday) (Seva outside temple premiees)
14. &ilyanothsavam (Everyday)
During Sarva Darsan 25 .OO
15. Parthyeka Kalyanothsavam (Everyday) 5 10.30 a.m. 500.00
16. Arjitha Brahmothsavam (Everyday) 1 5 l.OOp.m. 500.00
(a ) pedda Seaha Vahanam 1 Vahanasevas can also be per-
(b) Silver Garuda Vahanam I formed individually on each
(c) s i l v e r Hanwnantha Vahanam 1 vahana
17. (1) Surya Prabha Vahanam (Sunday) 100 .OO
(2) Chandra Prabha (Monday) 100 .OO
(31 Simha Vahanam (~uesday) 100 .OO
(4) Kalpa Vriksha Vahanam (Tuesday) 125.00
(5 ) Horse ( Aawa) Vahanam (Wednesday) 100.00
(6) Gaja (Elephant) Vahanam (Thursday) 100 .OO
(7) Hamsa (swan) Vahanam ( ~ r i d a y ) 125 .OO
(8) Sawa Bhoopala Vahanam (Saturday) 125.00
18. Mlothsavam (In Mirror ha l l within the Temple premises) 6 1.00p.m. 750.00
P e r i o d i c a l Sevas
S a h a s r a D ipa l anka ra Seva is conducted on s r a v a n a
nakshat ram day. The Lord and His c o n s o r t s a r e b rought t o t h e
Un ja l Mandapam where one thousand and e i g h t ghee w i c k - l i g h t s
g r e e t them.
K o i l Alwar TIrumanjanam i s p u r i f i c a t o r y f u n c t i o n
o f t h e sanctom and t h e whole t emp le p r e c i n c t s , performed on
t h e day b e f o r e ~ g a d i (Telugu N e w Pea r Day) , Anivara
Asthanam, Brahmotaavam and va ikun tha Ekadas i .
Pavitrotsavam i e s e e e n t i a l l y a three-day annualt
p u r i f i c a t o r y ceremony and i t s object i e t o exp ia t e the- k n r
of commiesion and omission arising i n the daily worship and
o t h e r r e l i g i o u e r i t e s performed i n the temDle. ~ i r . s t it waa
r e c i t a t i o n of t h e Vedas, and the reading of pu.r.aname on a l l
t h e days. T h i s was not observed f o r a long per iod . I:t h a s
been rev ived , and t h e f e s t i v a l is ce l eb ra t ed wieh all
enthusiasm i n August, commencing from Sravana Suklapdkasha
dasami . Pushpayagam i a a grand c e l e b r a t i o n .which conslists
of o f f e r i n g d i f f e r e n t k inds of eweet-acented Ekowers t o the
Lord on s ravana nakshatr'am day i n November7 fo1,lowing t h e
annual Brahmotaavam.
The annual vaaan!thoteava;m is the 'fedt&wd
d e l e b r a i d in the .mont:h .of % p r i ~ ~ ;comm@nci!ng 'on ~ S u d h
Ttayodas i f o r t h W e day8 t'o :cord ~ankateswita -md !#I&
process ion ' of: t h e ~ . o , r d and Hie conso r t s on t h e second day.
On t h e t h i r d day of t h e f e s t i v a l a full-moon day, not ,only
Sr i Venkateswara and H i s conso r t s , bu t a l s o Sri Ramat siita.,
Lakshmana, S r i Krishna and Rukrnani, a r e tak.en i!n an
impressive process ion on a l l ' t h e f o u r Mada s t r e e t 6 sound sehe
temple.
- The Annual Teppotsavam t akes .place dur ing : t h e
month of Phalgunam f o r f i v e days. T h e de i tPe:s aE.t,er
c o l o u r f u l decora t io t l adorned by jewels and f lowers a r e
p laced i n t h e f l o o d - l i t f l o a t and towed round i n t h e Swami
Fuahkar in i t o t h e accompaniment of Nadasvaram music and
vadaparayanam.
Padmavathi Parinaycbtdavam waB recent . ly :perf,o;rmed !by
the rTD daeea which l i k e l y t o be annual feature. .
. . 45
S1. Name of the Seva No.of Time Amount NO. persons
allowed -------I
1. Vasanthothsavam (For one day) 10 2.00 p.m. 3000.00
2. Float Festival (For one day) (Yearly once 5 days function) 5 6.00 p.m. 2500.00
3. Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam (Yearly 4 times on specified days) 10 11.00 a.m. 3000.00
4. Pavithrothsavam (3 days seva) 5 - 5000 .OO
5. Pushpa Yagam (Once in a year on f i r s t Sravanam after brahmothsavarn) 5 6.00 a.m. 3500.00
6. Abhideyaka Abhishekarn (Once i n a year for three days generally during J U ~ ) 5 8.00 a.m. 2000.00
Devotees who wish t o do m a Prasada (Rice and Food offerings) to
Srivaru can do so as fol1aws:-
Pulihora loo/- Vada 350/-
Pongal 110/- Poli 350/-
Cha .Pongal 135/- h s a 350/-
Sakarabat h 150/- Laddu 750/-
Payasam 125/- Thenthola 350/-
Seera XO/- Sukiyam 300/-
Those devotees who wish to perform the follming uthsavams on specified
day of their choice every year can do M, by depoeing the amounts as
noted against each as Trust fund for Sevas, w i t h the T.T.D.
1. Kalyanothsavam (10 persons) 20,000/-
2. Prathyeka Kalyenothsavam ( 5 persona) 5,000/-
3. Brahmothsavam (5 persons) 5,000/-
4. Unjal Seva (Dolosthavam) (6 persons) 7 r 500/-
5. Amanthranothsavam (Two persons) 4,000/-
6. Thomalaseva (one person only) 1 ,OOO/-
7. Sahasra Namarchana (one person) l1000/-
Brahmotsavam of Lord venkateawara in Tirurnala
Prologue: Sri Vari Temple at Tirumala is a synonym for
"Nithya Kalyanam, Pacha Thoranum" which means that there is
daily festival with festoons of green leaves in the temple
of Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity of Tirumala. Yet
the annual Brahmotsavam celebrated for 9 days during Sep-Oct
in honour of the Lord is unique in itself. The precineta of
the temple is illuminated in a grand manner which offers
ectasy and grandeen to Lakhs of pilgrim who throng to see
the Brahmotsavam every nook and corner of the country.
Molodious music and devotional songs are sung by the Asthana
vidwana of T.T. Devasthanams. ~eligious hymns from the Vedas
and the Puranas are recited by eminent vedic scholors and
purana pandits everyday. On all the festival days, the deity
is seated on different vahanas and take in a procession on
all the four streets of the temple. pilgrims without
difference in class, caste or creed assemble on all the four
streets to have the darsan of the Lord.
o r i g i n of t h e ~ e s t i v a l : The annual Brahmotsavam ce l eb ra t i on
is unique i n i t s e l f because i t marks not on ly t h e l a r g e s t
number of devotees a t t ed ing t he f e s t i v a l but a l s o over-
reachee t h e t a r g e t i n terms of income. The annual
~rahrnotsavam is being ce lebra ted from times immemorial
without much change i n i t s procedural pa t t e rn s . The d a i l y
vahanam procedure has been t he same throughout except f o r
abharana a lankarams~ time-bound procession and modern
technique i n i l lumina t ion . The o r ig in s of the Annual
Brahmosam a t Tirumala a r e descr ibed i n sacred Looks l i k e
Varahapuranat Venkatachala Mahatyam, S r i Venkatachala
Ithihaeam. The o r i g i n goes back t o pal lava dynasty during
t h e r equ i r e of Dantivaraman Pallava who ce lebra ted t h e
annual Brahmotsavam f o r seven day d u r i n g t he month of
~ a r g h a s h i r a . Later some pal lava r u l e r s endowed lands and
gold towards t h e cost of t h e Brahmotsavam. During t h e l o t h
and 12th c e n t u r i e s , two Brahmotsavam were ce lebra ted i n the
months of Bhadrapada and ~ a r g a e i r a and second Fes t i va l was
a l s o observed i n t h e month of Ashada a l so . Later Harihara
Raya 11 o f t he Vizayanagaram ~ m p i r e i n s t i t u t e d a f r e s h
Brahmotsavam and donated some v i l l a g e s t o t h e Lord t o meet
t h e expenditure towards the ce lebra t ion of a f resh
Brehmoteavarn. The annual Brahmotsavam which f a l l s i n t he
month of Badrapad has become popular. I t i s ce lebra ted for 9
days. The f i r a t day of t he f e s t i v a l s t a r t s i n the evening
when sri viswak Sena is worshipped and taken i n a proceeeion
on fou r s t r e e t s of t h e temple t o c o l l e c t t h e sacred e a r t h t o
perform homa i n t h e Yogasala everyday. T h e a c t u a l utsavam
commences on t h e second day i n t h e monring w i t h t h e h o i s t i n g
of ~ a r u d a d w a j a . T h e process ional d i e t y S r i Malayappaswami
and h i s two coeo r t e S r idev i and Bhudevi a r e taken i n t i r u c h i
and t h e r e a f t e r s ea t ed i n Tirumala Raya Mandaparn. The
ausp i c ious time f o r dwa jarohanam is f ixed by t h e ARchakas
and o t h e r r e l i g i o u s people and t h e Garudadwaja is ho ie ted by
t h e ch i e f Archaka ~ i r a s i d a r along w i t h vedic r e c i t a l s and
Mangala vadhya. The rea f t e r t he Brahmotsavam cont inues f o r
n ine days when t h e Utsava is taken on d i f f e r e n t vahanams
according t o t r a d i t i o n a l norms. It is bel ieved t h a t Brahma
himself w i l l s u r p r i s e t h e arrangments and so. He is taken i n
a small deco ra t e c h a r i o t preceeding t h e proceesion of t h e
utsavam. In t h e n igh t of t h e f i r s t day t h e ~alayappaswamy is
mounted on a Big Adisesha Vahanam and taken roung t h e four
s t r e e t s of t h e temple w i t h a l l paraphernal ia of decorated
temple e l e p h a n t s r horses and b u l l s . In t he morning of t he
second day, t h e d e i t y i s taken i n a small Adisesha Vahanam
and i n t h e n i g h t r t h e Lord i s routed on Hamsavahana.
P a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e n i g h t t h e procession g i v e s added
eplendour o r g a i e t y due t o t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n of i l l umina t i on
on t h e temple gopuram and t h e w a l l s of t h e temple. ~ i m h a
vahanam i n t h e morning and Muthya ~ a n d i r i o r a panda1
decorated w i t h p e a r l s ,are tlhe v,ahenams qn : the .morning #@ I
evening of t h e third day fels,tivaL.. ,Ka&pakauriksha .or a . t r e e
of s i l v e r leaves , golden apples and 0t.he.r ,fr.ul,tp is ,u@ed , t o
ca r ry the d e i t y w i t h h i e co,nso.r:t;rr i!n !the mor.4n6ng af t he
fourth day and i n t he n ight , t he de i t y is taken &n ,Surva
~ h u p a l a Vahanam guilded w i t h gold. Of . a l l ;the days,, :the
f i f t h day of t h e f e a t i v a l o f f e r s pomp and .ga'i.ety ibecauae
Mohini Avataram i n the morning and .Ga$r,udaseva i n ;the avenng
a r e t he h igh l igh t s of the f e s t i v a l . The lord i sdeao rded i n
t h e female from - Mohini, a devine dameel. 1.t i-s .believ,ed
t h a t Lord V i s h n u himself assumed Lhe female b+om.Mahlni : to
provide " A m r u t h " t o Suras and deceive the Ai3UraB. ,'She deilty
w i l l be adorned a l l feminine ornaments .and ,moun:t,ed .on an
ivory palanquin and taken i n a procession on a l l ehe four
streets of the tempJe. The highl ight of ,the 'whole
Brahmot leva the
nevote& from a l l . parts of the country assemble .at V&R~:B@
50
p o i n t s t o have t h e darsan of t h e Lord. ~t i.g a f e a s t to t h e
eye t o s e e such a t h r i l l i n g s i g h t . The average assembly of
t h e p i l g r ims f o r t h i s Garudeva every year i s est imated t o be
n e a r l y 1 1/2 l akhs . The u t savar is decorated w i t h s e p c i a l
ornaments l i k e Mahara Kantikal Lakahmi Haram of t h e
Moolavar. The grandiose should be experienced but cannot
desc r ibed i n words. I n t h e morning of t h e s i x t h day of t h e
f e s t i v a l , t h e Lord i s taken on Hanumantha Vahanam on a l l t h e
four s t r e e t s of t h e temple. I n the evening t he d i e t y and his
consor t a r e dressed i n white c lo the s and taken t o Vasnatha
Utsava Mandapam. Af t e r r e tu rn ing t o t h e temple, once again
t h e Lord is mounted on Elephant Vahanam. I n t h e morning of
t h e seventh day the Lord is taken on Surya Prabha Vahanam
and i n t h e evening t h e Lord adorns Chandra Prabha Vahanam.
The Rathostavam o r t h e Car f e s t i v a marks another t h r i l l i n g
exper ience t o t h e devotees on t h e morning of t h e e igh t day.
The wooden c h a r i o t of a huge eize, which has been decorated
e a r l i e r with a l l v a r i e t i e s of coloured c lo the s t dumney
f i g u r e s and green l e aves , i s used t o c a r r y t h e d e i t y t o t h e
enjoyment and devot ion of t h e p i lgr ims. The ca r w i l l be
dragged by t h e devotees who f e e l immensely pleased t o serve
t h e Cord i n an i n d i r e c t form. Rathotsavam a l s o a t t r a c t s more
people l i k e Garudaaeva who f e e l joyous on t h e see ing t h e
pa r aphe rna l i a of decorated e l ephan t s r horses and b u l l a i n
a d d i t i o n t o t h e chant ing of vedic hymns by veda pand i t s and
acharya purushas. I n $he night hh.8 Lord is .taken ;qn Aswe
(I-losse) Vahanam. On the .nex.t day i.n , the .mo,rni.ng .the *lord , i s
taken i n a procea.sinn t o P.u,ahk,as.$,ni on : t h e :bank .of
Varahaswamy Temple and the .Ch.akr.asn.ana . . . ie . .., .cel.ebr.a.ted .at $he
auep i c ious t ime when ,sudharsan,a, . k :is i:mme.r,sed &pto ;t:he
eacred tank. Devoteea from nei.ghbo.ur,ing .place8 are ,ready !to
t a k e t h e holy d i p i n t h e puahkarlni .at t h e auqpii;hous itime
which i e be l i eved t o absolve t h e i r s i n s c,~mrni.tt.e.d ~1cn~wi.ng.Jy
o r unknowingly s o t h a t they can a t t a i n Moks:ha o r :SaLyattion..
Afterwards t h e d e i t y is mounted nn :a gold.em r U .and
taken back t o t h e temple near t h e Dwajasthambarn and
Dwa jaarohanam o r lowering of t h e .Garwdadw.a ja llil.& ,be
performed and w i t h t h i s a l l t h e c e l e b r a t i o n s connected :with
t h e Brahmotsavam a r e completed. The f i r s t ' Brahmo,tsavam
c e l e b r a t e d i l l t he month of Bhadrapada is c a l l e d t h e Prima.ry
Brahmotsavam and t h e o t h e r Brahmotsavam ce l eb ra t ed in ithe
manth of Aswayaji is termed Navara thr i Brahmotsavam, .the
main d i f f e r e n c e l i e s in t h e use of s i l v e r c a r on t h e eig.ht'h
day of Navara th r i Brahrnotsavam i n s t e a d pf t h e wooden
c h a t i a t ; A l l the other vahaname on a l l t h e days a r e aommon.
Thik, k i n d af l l ~ ~ w b l e Bhahmoteavam" comes i n eviery bhmk
52
years as a result of Adhikamasam or extra month in every
three years. Prasadsms on all ordinary days and special days
are offered to God according to "diltano" or supply of
provisions and preparation of food-stuffs maintained in the
records. Not only during festival days but also on ordinary
days purana kalaskepam, traditional and devotional music,
vedapatanam, chanting of Mahabharata and Ramayana are
carried on by T.T.D. Asthana Vidwans specialized in such
faculties and also by regular employees appointed for such
religious discourses. It: is an established belief that the
Lord is enshrined atop the Seven ills for the emancipation
of Human beings and also to beslow boons on their for
material and spiritual happiness.
Sreevari BRABMOTSAVAM
The present-day arrangement of the vehicles for
processions in the festival is as follows: on the day
proceeding the dhvaja-arohanam is the procession of
Senadhipati or senai-~udaliyar and then seed-sowing,
ankurarpanam; the dhvajarohanam on the evening of the first
day after a procession of the Images in a golden tiruchit a
palanquin-like 'vehicle, and on the night the proceaeion on
the big sesa-vahanam (serpent vehicle);
On the Second day Morning:
Night:
On the Third day Morning :
Night:
On the Fourth day Morning:
Night:
On the Fifth day Morning:
Night :
On the Sixth day Morning:
Evening:
Small Sesa-Vahanam
Hamsa(8wan)-vahanam
Simha (lion)- aha an am
Mutyapu-~andali (pearl canopy)
Kalpa-vrksa
(divine wish-giving tree)
Sarvabhupala (Lord of the
entire earth a canopy)-
Vahanam
Palanquin with the Deity in it
dressed as a bewitching beauty
Mohini;
Garuda (Brahmani kite) Vahanam
Hanuman onke key-God)-vahanam
Tiruchi with the three Deities
in it in white gowns sprindled
thickly over with saffron mix-
ed eandal, (giving an appeara-
nce of Vasantam, turmeric wa-
ter mixed with lime) as the
customary function in the ma-
rriages on its sixth dayt and
thereby the procession itself
is designated Vasanta UtSaVam.
Gaja (~Lephant) Vahanam
On the seventh day Morning: Surya-prabha (sun's halo)
Vahanam
~ i g h t : Chandra-prabha (moon's halo)
Vahanam
On the Eighth day Morning: Vahanam Rathotsavam
(car proceasion)
Night Aswa (Horse) Vahanam
On the ~ i n t h day ~orniag: ~irst procession in Pallaki
(palanquin) the day of sra-
vanam start being conaidered
as Sri Venkateswara's birth
asterism.
Second procession in Tiruchi
distributing oil and turmeric
powder for tirthavarit avabhr-
tha (ablution) at Sri Varaha-
svami-pushkarini.
Night: ~roceseion in tiruchi and the
dhavaja avarohanarnt withdraws:
of the flag from the flag-
staff
Devotees from all over ~ndia visit ~irumala in large numbera
and participate in these Sevas co able 2.1) with joy and
happinese and derive satisfaction and inner peace.
TABLE 2.1
pilgrims visiting Tirumala - A statistice
S1. Name of State NO.
Total Percentage
1. Andhra ~ r a d e s h 140 5 6
2. Tamilnadu 60 24
3. Karnataka 45 18
4. Foreign countries 5 2
Total 250 100 -----------------__----------------------------------.
Source: Based on Researcher's Survey.
~ n t r o d u c t i o ~ : ~ h e e r t h a e a r e t h e ghggo# %wg,i! tQe dev- ,w and have d i p i n the Holy water to msb aw3q r&mL
several c e n t u r i e s back p e o p l e used to treat: e v ~ g 1rMf.e~ ,hole
a s e s a c r e d t h e e r t h a i n Tirumala Hills. AIL t'ErsetMaem's #a$m
was b e l i e v e to converge into kbe swami guahkarink Ww&tagh
under ground c h a n n e l s .
In Tirumala B i l l s t according t o puranas, there are
66 crore of Theerthas e x i s t i n g , out o f theee I108 are
c o n s i d e r e d important. Out o f t h e s e 1108 theerbhaa about 108
a r e c o n s i d e r e d important. T h e r e are the under mentioned
t h e e r t h a s are being v i s i t e d by t h e devokees.
2 . Gajendra ~ h e e r t h a m
3 . Gogarbha Theertham
21, Vishwakshena T h e e r t h a m
22. Anjaneya Theertham
23. Karthlkeya Theertham
2 4 , Garuda T h e e r t h a m
25- K r i s h n a Theertham
5; Papavinasanarn Theertham
7 . Kumaradhara T h e e r t h a m
8. Sanakaeananda T h e e r t h a m
10. Thumbura Theertham
11. Shesha - T h e e r t h a m
12- N a m a L a Theertham
13. Seethamma T h e e r t h a m
14. N a g a T h e e r t h a m
1 5 . Chakca ~ h e e r k h a m
16. Dheva Theertham
17. ~ a i k u n t a Theertham
18. Bhima ~heertham
19. Kagila Theertham
2 0 . Seetha.pa1.a ~ h e e r t h a m
TIRUMALA DURING EARLY DAYS
It was during the eighth century that the Alwars
recognised Tirupati temple as a temple of shrine. In the
~ a m i l region! Shaivism became a dominant faith. Even the
kings of the region were patrons of Saivism. Vaishna idols
dwindled in large numbersl and the peaceful life of the
vaishnavas was disturbed by the developing sectarians'
intolerance of the Saivites. As a result, the Vaishnavites
turned their attention to the Lord ~ishnu shrine in ~irupati
which was the northernmost boundary of the Tamil regionr and
was free from sectarian beliefs. They began to visit the
place in large numbers. The vaishnava Alwars sang in praise
of the Lordr describing Him as "self-manifestation of
vishnu" "Destroyer of Sins" I and "~iver of all Boons".
By Alwars, the praise of the Lord was a turning
point in the history of Tirumala temple. It was the
beginning of its popularity. Alsor it was the origin of the
belief that the Deity was the great fulfiller of peoples'
wishes. Under such implicit faithr people turned to Lord
Venkateswara for help in their critical situations, or to
realise their desires and expectations.
Since the Venkateswara temple was located on the
hillr it was not easily accessible to all in those days. The
v a i s h n a v i t i e s b u i l t a temple i n Tiruchanur, and i n e t a l l e d a
s i l v e r r e p l i c a of t h e Lord t he r e . Those who could not climb
t h e ~ i l l t o f f e r ed t h e i r worship the re and contented w i t h i t .
The S a i v i t e impact l a t e r spread t o Tiruchanur, and a l s o a
Siva temple sprang up the re . To avoid s e c t a r i a n d i f f e r ences
and c l a s h e s , t h e Vaishnavites des i red t o confine the i r
a c t i v i t i e s t o ~ i r u m a l a region only.
I n t h e nineteenth century A.D., t he Vaishnavi tes
f e l t t h e need t o have a proper temple a t Tirumala h i l l r and
the i r i n t e r e s t became an accomplished f a c t . Sanctum
Sanctorurn w i t h an anti-chamber f o r the p r i e s t s t o s t and and
worship, was cons t ruc ted . ~ u r i n g worship, Borne kind of food
o f f e r i n g s were made. Perhaps, t h i s was q u i t e s u f f i c i e n t t o
feed t h e p r i e s t and two o r th ree o ther persons a t t ached t o
khe temple.
Subsequentlyl t h e r e p l i c a of Lord Venkateswara
which was i n Tiruchanur temple was taken t o Tirumala H i l l
andl after due ceremonies, was i n s t a l l e d i n sanctum
sanctorium. T h i s i d o l , called Bhoga ~ r i n i v a a was placed
i n s i d e f o r he convenience of worship, f o r d a i l y abhisheka,
f o r 'sayanal ceremony a t n ight . This could be done only t o a
p o r t a b l e i d o l i . e . t h e M u r t h i r and not t o t h e o r i g i n a l
Murthi ( i . e . Mula ~ u r t h i ) .
The installation of Bhoga Srinivasa ~ u r t h i in the
sanctum sanctorum of the temple was an important occasion,
because, with it, commenced the ritualistic type of worahip
in the temple! such as pujas, festivals, and food offerings
to the deity as Per the Vaishaka agamas, which were
introduced, and later developed. In fact, the development of
the temple from that time was gradual and steady, and spread
over a period of six centuries. Development took place in
the form of expansion of its atructuret i.e. construction of
additional chambers to the sanctum sanctorum, Vimanamet
Prakarams, etc. and induction of other replicas of the Lord
into the temple with is consorts~ Bhudevi and sridevi and
other shrines such as sri ~aghunadha and ~ r i Krishna.
Constributions made by several rulers, their administrators~
and officers, helped to maintain the various kinds of pujas~
festivalsl and food offerings. Not only these! ornaments
were presented to Lord Venkateswara and other idols, and
money donated for the construction of mutts, kutams, and
choultries for lodging and boarding of the Pilgrims-
During ~amanuja's period (1017-1137 A . D . ) , the
temple of Lord Venkateswara received great impetus for its
growth and development , including the founding of Tirupati . He believed that there should be a growing town at the foot
of the Hill to serve as a convenient halting place for the
devoteas on their way to Tirumala ~ i l L . After the death of
~amanuja~ shrines were constructed for Ramanuja both in
Tirumala and ~irupati temples.
Yadava Kinga
The Yadavaraya Kinga of Narayanavanam, were the
early great patrons of Lord Venkateswara. One of the
Yadavaraya kings was Veera Narasinga Yadavaraya who built
the present famous Ananda Nilayam, i.e./ Vimanam over the
Sanctum Sanctorum. In factl the king wanted to make Tirumala
temple as l~uragiwi'l i.e./ the capital of Indrat in
brilliance, and for this, the ~ i n g quilded the Ananda
Nilayam. After three and a half centuries, the Sanctum
Sanctorum from the time of its installation in 900 A.D. had
for the first time a gold plated ~imanam that shines under
the Sun and the Moon, greeted by all the visiting pilgrims
even today.
Pallavas
The Pallava Kings appeared to be the earliest
donara to the Lord's temple. From the inscriptions at
Alamelu Mangapuramt Sri Vijaya Dantivarma of Pallava
undertook the repairs of the Lord's temple and the
Sopanamargar i.e. the foot-path way. In factl ~allavas'
achievement is on the whole very considerable towards public
workst as well as pious acts of benefactions to the
religious and economic organisation. Pallava Kings used to
visit Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala at the time of their
cororation~ and also after winning the battle to obtain the
blessings of the Lord.
Chola Dynasty
It has been pointed out that the Kings under Chola
Dynasty were great builders of cities' and templesl and
patrons of Lord Venkateswara. In fact, the Kings of Chola
laid their treasure at the feet of the Lord along with their
bodies and mind.
Vijayanagaram Rule
Under the patronage of Vijayanagaram Kings, the
idol at Tirumala came into great prominence, During that
period, Jiyyars were provided with all privileges. The
chanting of vedas was instituted by Devaraya, while the
image of the deity was being carried around on festival
occasions. Half of the revenue collection of the villages
was paid into the temple treasury.
Kriahnadevarayale Patronage
Krishnadevaraya was a great devotee of Lord
Venkateswara a t Tirumala and Lord Siva at Kalahasti. ~uring
essential and crucial periodel he visited Tirumala and
worship@@d the Lord, and then rode t o Kalahast i t o pray t o
Lord Shivs- In a l l , he paid seven visits t o Tirumala
accompanied by h i s two queens, tirumala Dcvi and Chinna
Devi- He Presented a gold crown s e t w i t h precious gems, and
gold p l a t e s f o r waving camphor l i g h t a . After cap tur ing
udayag i r i i n 1514 A.D.1 he had a Kanakabhishekam performed
f o r t h e Lord w i t h 301000 varshas, presented ornaments and
granted v i l l a g e s . The queens o f fe red t o t he Lord pendants,
Navaratna p rabhava l i , e tc . A t t h e end of h i s war w i t h
Ga japa th i , he gave a pendant and necklace f o r t h e Lord, and
a l s o 301000 varshaa f o r regui ld ing the Vimanam over t h e
sanctum sanctorumr toge ther w i t h the g ran t of t o l l s
(Sunkama) f o r t h e expensee of morning o f f e r ings t o t h e Lord,
The gu i ld ing of Divya-virnanam with gold was completed by
1518 A.D. by S r i Krishnadevaraya. I n the temple of Lord
Venkateswara i n Tirumala on e i t h e r s ide of S r i Krishna
Devaraya, there a r e copper s t a t u e s of only these two queens!
t h e s t a t u e of Chinna Devi on t h e r i g h t , and on t h e l e f t
Tirumala Devi. t heir names a r e inscr ibed on the shoulders of
the s t a t u e s . F ina l ly , S r i ~ r i s h n a Devaraya appointed a
number of temple admin is t ra to rs t o ca r ry out t h e d a i l y
o f f e r i n g s and pujas t o the ~ o r d . Towards t h e end of t h e
f o u r t e e n t h century i n t h e period of Mangi Dews's Son/ t h e
r e c i t a t i o n of t h e heartening suprbhata Cam@ i n t o vogue- The
practice of using Pachakarpuram and ~ a e t u r i for the original
idol after abhishekam orginated thereafter.
Achyutaraya
Achyutaraya was a pious and noble pereon, devoted
to ~ o r d Venkateswara, and had spent much of his time at
~handragiri before he became the ruler at Hampi. In the
year 1531 A.D.1 he constructed the Link Kapilatheertham
providing with stone steps and mandapams all aroundl so that
pilgrims might conveniently bath there before they proceeded
to Tirumala. Devotees firmly believed that all holy streams
of Tirumala flowed into the tank, and so considered their
bath in that tank sacred. Achyutaraya's first coronation was
celebrated at Tirumala where he was bathed in the sacred
water poured out of the couch of the hand of Lord
Vonkateswara. In 1533, the ~ i n g Achyutarayat in his zeal for
worshipping the Lordl by himself performed Sahastra
hlamarchana in the templet and presented to the ~ o r d a big
Kaphal i.e. garment for the body fully studded with
diamonds and pearle. In the same Year1 A c h ~ u t a r a ~ a
reconstructed the atone steps of swami pushkarini~ and also
constructed a new tank adjacent to the first one, and named
Achyutaraya tank. Finallyr this Koneru fell into ruin, and
later in the nineteenth century! it was filled up and
converted into a garden by the management of the aha ants of
~atiramji Mutt. The statue of King Achyutaraya and his Queen
varadaraja Ammalt adorn Tirumala temple on the southern side
of the entrance in the temple. In the case of Hindu
religion, he had sent a number of clamaels to Tirumala from
his capital to serve Lord Venkateswara in their humble wayl
and live on the prasadams granted to them from the. temple.
Sadasiva Rayalu
Sadasiva Raalu paid only one visit to Ti~umaLa. Be
abolished devadasi dancing in the sanctum sanctorum due to
the pollution that had crept into the sacred place because
of the unholy association of the temple priests with the
Devadasis. In the year 1561 A.D. , his minister Tirumalaraya
built Tirumalaraya Mantapam on the left aide of the
Dhwajasthamba Mantapam. After the defeat of Sadasivaraya in
the battle of Tallikota in the year 1565 broke the
Vijayanagar powerl and marked the beginning o f
Vijayanagara's end. It also closed the line of kings who
contributed to the growth and development of ~ h r i
Venkateswara's temple at Tirumala.
The kings who followed King Sadasivaraya were
unable to contribute any amount to temples in Tirupati and
Tirumala. New endowmentsl though very few in numberl were
made only through private sources, especially from the
devotees.
The impact of t h e Tamils i n T i r u p a t i - ~ i r u m a l a
which was very popular a t t he time of l eadersh ip of Tamil
r u l e r s dec l i ned with t h e f a l l of Vijayanagaram a u t h o r i t y ,
and f i n a l l y ceaeed t o be when t he Telugu speaking
admin i s t r a t i on of Golkonda began t o exerc i se t h e i r swamy
over t h e region . Since then, every year the temple gave t h e
Golkonda Nawab l a r g e amounts of money out of its revenue.
The r e c e i p t s of Lord's temple came from the o f f e r i n g s of t h e
devo tees , which depended on t h e i r economic p rosper i ty of t h e
na t i on , i t s a g r i c u l t u r a l t u rn over , t r a d e ) and t h e
a v a i l a b i l i t y of currency. The long and continued wars
des t royed product ion, manufactures, and trade! and brought
about s o c i a l d i so rgan i sa t ion .
Re l i g ious Teachers of t h e Time
Vyasath i r tha was t he founder of t he Vysaraya
Matha. Even though Krishnadevaraya's r e l i q i o u s l ean ings were
towards ~ a i s h n a v i a m , t r a d i t i o n revealed t h a t vyaea th i r tha
had spen t twelve yeare a t Tirumalal worshipping the Lord on
each Thursday during t h a t per iod. I t was s a id t h a t t h e Lord
assumed a feroc ioue appearance i n is hunting dresa of a
l oose gown w i t h a sword awung in t h e b e l t , and His whole
body adorned w i t h f lowers and t h a t t he p r i e s t s were
f r i gh t ened by t h e Lord's look, Vyasathir tha s tepped in, and
o f f i c i a t e d a s t h e p r i e s t on each Thursday evening dur ing His
p u l a n g i Seva. A t t h e end of twelve years , he brought back
t h e u sua l calm look of t h e Godl and res to red His worship on
Thursday evenings t o t h e temple p r i e s t s who g l a d l y resumed
i t . v y a s a t h i r t h a d i d n a t a f te rwards d e s i r e t o worship ~ i m
d i r e c t l y i n t h e sanctum. To t h i s day, t h e devotees of
Madhava community assembled on a r a i s ed platform under a
pouch t o t h e no r th of t h e c e n t r a l s h r i n e j u s t fac ing Vimana
s r i n i v a s l and read puranas and held popular r e l i g i o u s
d i s c o u r s e s .