PUSHPA PALLAKI

PUSHPA PALLAKI(06:00 PM JULY)

(COST RS 200/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 2 LADDUS, 1 VADA, 1

UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

As per the tradition followed by the Devasthanams, temple accounts begin from

Dakshinayana (winter solstice) in July. Anivara Asthanam, the grand durbar

festival of Lord Venkateswara, is celebrated on that day (usually on July 16).

On this day the previous year accounts are submitted to the Lord and begins a new

financial yaer opening a new book. All the principal officers of the temple deposit

their insignia of office at the feet of the Lord and take them back. The significance

of the cermony is that the Lord allows them to hold their respective offices as He

found them fit.

In the evening the Lord is taken round along the four Mada streets in procession on

a richly decorated floral palanquin. It is a remarkable spectacle for devotees who

patircipate in this arjita seva to witness and enjoy the majestic presence of the Lord

PADMAVATHI PARINAYAM

PADMAVATHI PARINAYAM(04:00 PM MAY)

(COST RS 1000/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 2 BIG LADDUS, 2 VADAS,

1 UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

This festival is celebrated in the month of May. The artistically decked

Parinayotsava Mandapam in the Narayanagiri gardens is the venue of the celestial

wedding of Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavathi.

This three - day annual festival is performed in the evening under the moon light.

In this colorful ceremony conducted on Navami, Dasami and Ekadasi in the month

of Vaisakha, Sri Malayappaswami, the festival deity of Lord Venkateswara, arrives

in style on Gaja, Aswa and Garuda Vahanas on each of the respective days, while

Sridevi and Bhudevi arrive on separate palanquins. Every day after the wedding in

the Parinayotsava Mandapam, 'Koluvu' is held. After reciting the vedic hymns and

singing the devotional sons, Lord along with Sridevi and Bhudevi return to the

temple.

On the first day, Lord Sri Malayappa Swami arrives on celestial Gaja Vahanam

and His two consorts, Goddess Sridevi and Goddess Bhudevi on separate

Palanquins.

This divine wedding ceremony takes place as per the Hindu marriage tradition in

an interesting manner. As a part of this, the Lord is seated inside the finely

decorated Parinaya Mandapam, while His two consorts on the opposite side.

Edurukolu(Receiving each other), (Pula Bantata) Game of Flower Balls, Vastra

Dharanam(offering of new clothes) are traditionally conducted. The same process

will take place on all the three days. At the end of this grand divine marriage, firing

of crackers adds additional glamour to the entire ceremony. After completion of

wedding ceremony, Lord Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi return

to main temple.

ABHIDEYAKA ABHISHEKAM (JYESTABHISHEKAM)

ABHIDEYAKA ABHISHEKAM (JYESTABHISHEKAM) (07:00

AM JUNE)

(COST RS 400/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 2 LADDUS, 1 VADA, 1

UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

This festival is performed in the holy month of Jyestha as per Hindu Almanac and

the fete is completed coinciding the star of Jyestha in the constellation. This

festival is also called “Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam”.

“Abhidhyeyakam” means protective shield or armour (that which cannot be

destructed). To fight against the evil, the Lord emerged with this protective armour

in this Kaliyuga. Since the special abhishekam (celestial bath) is conducted to this

special “Armour of God” this festival is also called Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam.

As this festival takes place in the month of Jyestha it is also known as “

Jyesthabhishekam ”.

As per the temple legendary, this special Abhishekam is usually performed every

year to protect the Utsava deities of Lord Malayappa swami and His

consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi from damage that might occur while conducting

processions and Tirumanjanam (holy baths) all through the year during different

festive occasions.

Meanwhile the festival lasts for three days. Each day after the second bell , the

Lord and His consorts are taken to the Kalyanotsava mandapam located in

Sampangi Prakaram and Snapana Tirumanjanam is conducted amidst the chanting

of vedic mantras. Snapana Tirumanjanam involves performing a bath to the deities

involving holy and consecrated water mixed with spices including turmeric ,

sandal paste, honey, milk and curd.

Later the Lord and His consorts are adorned in different attires (special

kavachams)on each of these days. On First Day Lord muses pilgrims

in Vajrakavacham (armour studded with diamonds), while on the second day in

Muthyala kavcham (armour studded with pearls) and Svarna kavacham (armour of

gold) on the third day. This Svarna kavacham remains adorned to the Lord and His

consorts throughout the year and only removed for Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam in

the year next.

TEPPOTSAVAM(FLOAT FESTIVAL)

TEPPOTSAVAM(FLOAT FESTIVAL) (06:00 PM FIVE DAYS A

YEAR)

(COST RS 500/-(PER DAY) PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 1 BIG LADDU, 1

VADA, 1 UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

Every year during Phalguna Pournami, this festival is celebrated on a grand scale

in the Swami Pushkarini for five days in the month of Chaitra (March). On the first

day, Lord Rama with Sita and Lakshmana are offered worship and taken out for a

celestial ride on the finely decked float in Swamy Pushkarini. On the second day,

Lord Sri Krishna and Rukmini are offered puja and taken for pleasure ride on float.

During the remaining three days beginning with Trayodasi and ending with

Pournami, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken out for

a ride in the temple tank. On the third day, there will be three rounds followed by

five rounds and on the final day, the utsava murtis will be taken out for pleasure

ride on the impressively decorated float for seven rounds. The pilgrims throng to

see the grandeur of the deities on this particular day since, the charm of full moon

is an added attraction to the divine beauty of the deities. Arjita seva ticket holders

who take part in this float festival will have darsan of the Lord after the festival.

PUSHPA YAGAM

PUSHPA YAGAM(08:00 AM NOVEMBER)

(COST RS 700/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 1 BIG LADDU, 1 VADA, 1

UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

This ceremony is performed after Annual Brahmotsavams on the asterism of

Sravanam which also happens to be the birth star of Lord Venkateswara, usually in

the month of Krittika as per Hindu calendar which falls during October or

November. Ankurarpanam is done prior to the Pushpayagam. On this day, after the

daily pujas, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are seated on a

special golden platform in Sampangi Mandapam. After offering Tirumanjanam to

the utsava murtis worship is done to them with tones of varieties of flowers. Later

procession takes place in the evening. As per the scriptures, this festival is usually

performed to save the earth from natural calamities such as quakes, cyclones,

epidemics and appease the Lord to save the life of humanity, flora and fauna from

all the catastrophes.

The Pushpa Yagam Festival originally was started in the 15th Century and was

reinstated in 1980's by the TTDs.

PAVITHROTSAVAM

PAVITHROTSAVAM (08:00 AM AUGUST)

(COST RS 2500/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 5 LADDUS, 2 VADAS, 1

PATTU PAVITHRAM, 1 UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams

(TTDs) celebrates Srivari Pavithrotsavam every year on the important days of

Ekadasi, Dwadasi and Trayodasi in the month of Sravana as per Hindu

calendar. This festival is known as “Festival of Purification”.

This festival was first instituted by Saluva Mallaiah Deva Raya in 1463 A.D. at

Tirumala during the period of Saluva Narasimha as per the inscription 157 present

in Srivari Temple. During these three days, Tirumanjanam and Homam are

performed to the main deity and as well as primary idols of Lord Sri Venkateswar

Swamy. As a prelude to this purification festival Ankurarpanam is performed a day

before where in nine types of cereals are sowed in an earthen container which

marks the beginning of the festival. The significance of the festival is that the

priests symbolically seek the pardon of the Lord for their acts of all omissions and

commissions committed either knowingly or unknowingly during the performance

of daily rituals to the presiding deity inside the temple all through the year. On the

day of Ankurarpanam, the processional deity of Lord Senadhipathi is taken out in

procession to the Vasantha Mandapam. On the first day of

Pavithrotsavam, Homam (Prayer to Sacrificial Fire) is performed at Yagasala

situated inside the temple followed by Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) for

about two hours to the processional deities with sandal, turmeric, milk, curd and

honey. In the evening the processional deities are taken out for a pleasure ride

around four mada streets, blessing pilgrims who converge to witness the grandeur

of Lord Malayappa Swamy draped in dazzling Gold and Diamond jewels. On the

second day, after Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) special puja is performed

to the silk woven holy threads called “Pavithralu” which are the sanctified threads.

The unique feature about this thread is that it has five colours which are Black,

Blue, Red, Yellow and Green. “Pavitralu” will be tied around the head, neck, waist

etc of Lord before taken for the procession. They are also tied to various deities

inside the temple as well as deities of sub-temples located inside the prakaram

including Ananda Nilaya Vimana Venkateswara Swamy, Yoga Narasimha Swamy

etc. and also to Lord Sri Bhuvarhaswamy located adjacent to Swami Pushkarini.

These holy silk threads are woven out of a special variety of high quality cotton

which is grown exclusively in the land that is meant to grow Tulasi plant which is

considered to be sacred for Hindus.

On the third the sacred Homam is performed followed by Snapana Tirumanjanam,

followed by rituals like Visesha Samarpana, procession along four mada streets

and concludes with Purnahuthi which takes place inside the main temple.

KOILALWAR THIRUMANJANAM

            KOILALWAR THIRUMANJANAM (08:00 AM)

(FOUR TIMES A YEAR ON TUESDAYS BEFORE UGADI, ANIVARI

ASTHANAM, SRIVARI BRAHMOTSAVAM AND VAIKUNTA EKADASI)

(COST RS 300/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 2 LADDUS, 1 UTTARIYAM

OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

Koil Alwar means 'Holy Shrine'. Alwar means “Devotee”. Tirumanjanam means

“cleansing with aromatic ingredients”. Koil Tirumanjanam is purification

ceremony of sanctum santorum and temple premises by devotees ( only the temple

staff are allowed to cleanse the temple premises). During the ceremony all the

deities and other articles are removed from santum santorum and cleansed while

the “Mula Virat” is covered with a water- proof covering. The entire Garbha

Griham, including floors, ceilings and walls, sub-shrines inside the sanctum, puja

articles are cleaned with water and Tirumanjanam which is a composition of

camphor, sandal paste, saffron, turmeric Kicchili Gadda ( a root vegetable) etc. is

smeared, which acts as a disinfectant. The covering of the main deity is then

removed and the deities, deepam and other articles are replaced inside. Special

pujas and Naivedyams are then offered to the presiding deity.

This ceremony is performed strictly as per the agamas and is conducted four times

year viz. before Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Vaikunta Eakadasi and Annual

Brahmotsavams

ANNAUAL VASANTHOTSAVAM

ANNAUAL VASANTHOTSAVAM (01:00 PM MAR OR APR)

(COST RS 300/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 2 LADDUS, 1 VADA, 1

UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

The Annual Vasanthotsavam is performed in Tirumala on the auspicious days of

Trayodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournami in the month of Chaitra (March/April) every

year. According to the temple Legend, the Vasanthotsavam Festival was started

during the period of King Achyutaraya in 1460's. This annual fete was believed to

have introduced by the King to mark the arrival of Spring Season. Lord and his

Consorts are given aromatic bath on these three days which is believed to give a

soothing relief to the deities from the scorching Sun.

This three-day festival starts with ankurarpanam (sowing the nine kinds of seeds)

ceremony conducted on the day of Uttarabhadra star, one day before the

commencement of Vasanthotsavam festival.

Punyaha Vachanam (purification rites), vaasthu santhi (worship of deity and lord

of nature and their elements and natural forces as well as lord and deity of

directions and environment) and samprokshanam (sprinkling of holy water as a

symbolic representation of purification) rituals are performed by the temple

priests. Access to these rituals is not open to public.

On all these three days, Sri Malayappa Swamy and His consorts are brought to

beautifully decorated Vasanta Mandapam in a procession from the main temple. In

Vasanta Mandapam, Abhisekham which means Snapana Thirumanjanam (Holy

Bath with aromatic ingredients) is performed to the processional deity of Lord Sri

Malayappa Swamy and His consorts on first two days.

On the third day, Lord Sri Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya and Sri

Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama are also taken out in procession along with

Lord Malayappa Swamy and His consorts. At the end of procession, all the Utsava

murthies are brought to Vasanta Mandapam where Snapana Tirumanjanam is

performed with religious fervour.

Pilgrims can participate in Srivari Annual Vasanthotsavam Festival on payment of

Rs.300 per person per Ticket.

ABHISHEKAM (ON FRIDAYS) (03:00 AM)

ABHISHEKAM (ON FRIDAYS) (03:00 AM)

(COST RS 750/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 2 LADDUS, 2 VADAS)

Every Friday after Suprabhatha Seva, the regular Thomala and Archana Sevas are

done in privacy and then Srivari Abhishekam is observed. This happens to be the

most ancient Arjitha Seva that is being observed in the hill shrine of Lord

Venkateswara.

The Abhishekam starts with sacred waters brought from Akasa Ganga Theertham,

then with Milk, then with Suddhodakam, Chandanam and other scented articles

like powdered Pachcha Karpooram, Saffron paste and drops of civet oil etc., which

are brought earlier in the silver vessels.

While performing the Abhishekam to the Moola Virat, Purshasukta,

Narayanasukta, Srisukta, Bhusuktha, Neelasuktha and selected Pasurams from the

Divya Pradbandham are all recited by the priests. Later, the Abhishekam is

performed for the image of Goddess Lakshmi on his chest with Turmeric Paste.

The Arjitha Grihastas who take part in this seva, are all assembled inside the

temple and each one is entrusted with one Silver Vessel that contain various

scented articles like powedered Pachcha Karpooram, Saffron paste, drops of civet

oil, Chandanam and etc.,

All the Arjitha Sevaparas carry these articles round the inner prakara of the temple

accompanied by Mangala Vayidyas. When they reach the Bangaru Vakili, the

vessels and plates are collected by the Archakas and the contents will be used

while performing Abhishekam to the Main Deity.

In the year 966A.D. a Pallava Queen “Samaavai" gifted the present silver idol of

Bhoga Sinivasa Murthy to the temple. This idol is exact miniature replica of the

main vigraha. The year when she gifted, it was on Jyestha Bahula Tritheeya when

Sravana star was in the ascendant in Akshya Year and it wason Friday.

While installing the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy idol in the Sanctum, an Abhishekam

was performed to the main deity also. Thus, started the practice of doing

Abhishekam to Moola Virat on every Friday.

TIRUPPAVADA SEVA & POOLANGI SEVA (ON THURSDAYS)

TIRUPPAVADA SEVA & POOLANGI SEVA (ON THURSDAYS)(05:00 AM)

(COST RS 850/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 1 BIG LADDU, 1 VADA, 1

JILEBI, 1 TENTOLA, PULIHORA AND 1 UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE

PIECE)

Every Thursday, after the morning pooja, the Mula Virat is divested of all

ornaments, flowers etc. The deity will be draped only in Dhoti and Uttareeyam.

The Thirunamam Kaappu and Kasturi on the forehead of the main deity are also

reduced in size. This results in the unique posture of Lord where one can witness

the peculiar Netra Darshan (where the divine eyes of the Lord can be seen) of the

main deity.

During other days the wide Namam with which the Lord's forehead is adorned,

covers almost half of his eyes. But on Thursday morning we can have the full view

of the benign eyes of the main deity. On Thursdays Thiruppavada Seva is

performed as arjitha Seva in the Mantapam in front of the Bangaru Vakili and

Annakutotsavam (where heaps of tamarind rice is poured) is performed.

A large rectangular tub - like golden vessel is placed in the Mantapam and a huge

quantity of “Pulihora”-tamarind rice, along with other sweet preparations such as

payasam, laddu, jilebi, thenthola, appam etc and other delicacies are deposited

thereon with coconuts, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, deepam and is placed in

that trapezoid receptacle to be offered as naivedya to the Lord.

Amidst chanting of Mantras, the previous wide Naamam is peeled off and a thin

Naamam is adorned on the forehead of Mula Virat just to cover the space between

His eyebrows. When this happens, it is believed that the Lord's first gaze after

"opening" His Eyes (because they were covered by the Naamam earlier) should not

fall on mortals, because it has huge power that could not be withstand by humans.

Instead, it is made to fall on the mound of "Pulihora" directly in front of Him,

thereby sanctifying it and reducing the intensity of His Gaze. The "Pulihora"

therefore acts like a Veil ("Paavada" in Telugu/Tamil) protecting devotees from

His Powerful Gaze.

POOLANGI SEVA: After the Tiruppavadai Seva, the temple observes some rituals

like suddhi (cleaning of the temple) etc., and the Moola Virat is adorned with

Velvet Gown from Crown to the Feet and then the main deity is decorated with

flower garlands. This service of the main deity being adorned exclusively with

garlands is known as Poolangi Seva.

The Poolangi Seva is mentioned in the Silappadikaram, the early Tamil Classic in

756 A.D.

SAHASRA KALASABHISHEKAM (ON WEDNESDAYS)

SAHASRA KALASABHISHEKAM (ON WEDNESDAYS)(05:00 AM)

(COST RS 850/- PER PERSON, PRASADAM : 1 BIG LADDU, 1 VADA, 2

APPAMS, 2 DOSAS AND 1 UTTARIYAM OR 1 BLOUSE PIECE)

The Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam seva is offered to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi-the

silver replica deity of Mula Virat, the processional deities of Sri Malayappa

Swamy varu along with His two consorts, Sri Viswaksena-the chief commander of

Lord. This seva is performed to the deities after the second bell in the morning at

the Bangaru Vakili.

The Bhoga Srinivas Murthy is brought outside the Golden doorway and is

connected by means of thin silk rope with the Mula Virat inside the Garbhalayam

(sanctum). One end of the rope is tied around the feet of the Bhoga Srinivasa

Murthy while the other end is placed near the Kathithasta of the Mula Virat, thus

symbolically establishing a relationship between the Main deity and the Bhoga

Srinivas Murthy to achieve two purposes. Firstly, it becomes clear that Bhoga

Srinivasa is representing the Mula Virat and secondly, it makes clear that the Pooja

offered to the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy is nothing but the puja is assumed to have

offered to the main deity.

Sri Malayappa Swamy with His two consorts Goddess Bhudevi and Sridevi are

also brought from the Sanctum and placed outside the Bangaru Vakili. The idol of

Viswaksena is also brought from the sanctum and placed outside the Bangaru

Vakili.

One Thousand and Eight Silver Vessels filled with Abhisheka Thirtha otherwise

known as the “Parimala Teertham”-pure water with the aroma of sandal paste,

along with eight more Parivara Vessels and One Gold vessel filled with water are

placed in the Mantapam in front of Bangaru Vakili. The archakas recite Pancha

Suktas and the Pancha Shanthi Mantras.

Thirumanjana Abhishekam is offered to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, Sri

Malayappa Swami and His consorts and Viswaksenula varu with the water in the

1008 Kalasas and the other eight Parivara Kalasas.

At the conclusion of the Tirumanjanam, the water in the Golden Vessel alone will

be carried by one Archaka to the accompaniment of the recitation of Vedas and

Mangala Vayidyas, round the Ananda Vimana Prakara, the Dwajasthamba and

then taken to the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Then an Archana is offered to the main deity and the water from the Golden Vessel

is sprinkled on the Feet of the main deity, thus symbolically including the Mula

Virat(main deity) also in the Sahasra Kalasabhishekam. This archana is offered in

private where a curtain will be drawn before the Mula Virat, with an Archaka alone

inside the temple.