Ugadi Asthanam in Tirumala

Ugadi Asthanam

Ugadi Asthanam is the first of all kinds of festivals and celebrations offered to Sri Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swami at Tirumala for the full length of a year. This takes place on the first day of the Chaitra masa according to Lunar Calendar.

The Daily ritual of Srivari Koluvu which is performed every day between Tomalaseva and Archana is performed with the special name Srivari Asthanam on the first day of the Lunar Calendar.

Koluvu or Asthanam is nothing but the Royal Assembly of Sri Venkateswara. Daily Koluvu is performed as a ritual in the presence of a limited gathering of officers and priests.

• Ugadi Asthanam the first Annual Event is celebrated in the presence of many officials, Vedic Scholars, Archakas and Devotees.
• The day on which Srivari Asthanam is celebrated is the ‘Padyami’ or ‘Pratipat Thithi’ of the bright fortnight of the Chaitra Month or the First day of every New Lunar Year.
• Location/ Venue: ‘Tirumahamani Mandapa’ which is also called ‘Ganta Mandapa’ in a place just opposite to Garuda’s Idol.

The following are various features of Swami Vari Asthanam

Pre-ritual activity

• In the early hours of the Ugadi Day even before dawn, the services of Suprabhata Seva and Tomala Seva are performed to the Main Deity in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
• After that, the Koluvu of Koluvu Srinivasa Murti is not performed. Instead in a lonely environment, Tirumanjanam or the Abhisheka Snana ceremony is performed to Malayappa Swami, Sri Devi, Bhudevi, and Vishvaksena.
• While the daily Koluvu is a ritual offered to Sri Koluvu Srinivasa Murti, the Asthanam process is offered to Sri Malayappa Swami. Hence this Snana (sacred bath) ceremony is performed as a pre-ritual activity.

Arrival of Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi

Sri Malayappa Swami, along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi is brought to the Tirumahamani Mandapa in the Golden Sarva Bhupala Vahana while the path is lead by Vishvaksena followed by the divine Vedic chants, the auspicious sounds of various pious musical instruments and the chants of the Archakas.

The three idols of the God and two Goddess are properly mounted on their respective royal thrones facing Garuda with rich ornaments beautiful flowery garlands and silk garments.

On the right side to Sri Malayappa Swami the idol of Sri Vishvaksena is seated on an elevated seat decorated with a guarding crown and a sword as he is the commander-in-chief of Srivaru.

Prasada offerings to the Deities – Ugadi Asthanam

As the first event of the ritual different Padi prasadams and Anna prasadams are brought to offer to the Main idol or Mula Virat and Malayappa Swami, Sri Devi and Bhudevi.

The humble presence of the Priests, Jiyyangars, Ekangis, Acharya Purushas, Vedic Scholars, The Executive Officer, Peshkars, Paru Pattedars, and other TTD officials elevates the decency of the event.

The White Umbrella and the Chauvries are held by some of the attendants.

The items like

• Laddus,
• Vadas,
• Appams,
• Dosas,
• Padi Prasadams,
• Pulihora,(Variety Rice)
• Pongali,
• Chakkera Pongali,
• Dadhyodanam(curd rice)

and such are brought from the Potu and as per the ritualistic style they are offered to the Gods and Goddesses. The holy Bells are sounded grandly as a mark of offering Prasadams to Lord Srinivasa.

Offering of the Special Garments

Six sets of New Silk Garments are carried from the Parimalapu Ara by the side of Yoga Narasimha Swami’s shrine. Sri Pedda Jiyyangar the rolls of the Six large and long silk garments keeping in a big silver basket, bearing on head brings to the Srivari Sannidhi.

In this process, the Vedic Scholars chant Vedic Hymns. The musicians play on auspicious musical instruments. Some servants hold the Panchamuka Torches in their hands and show the path. Near the golden Threshold, the Sannidhi Golla (The Royal Cowherd of Lord Srinivasa) stands holding a Torch in his hands.

Once the garments are brought inside Four of them are offered to the Mula Virat or the Main Deity.

Out of the four,

• one is offered to the Crown,
• the second one to the Nandaka Sword,
• the third one as Tomala, and
• the fourth one is decorated as Uttariya.

After unveiling the curtain, Holy Harati is offered to Sri Venkateswara. All the officers and other devotees who present there receive the Harati, Tirtha, Chandanam, and Satharis. After this process, the rest of the two garments are respectively offered to Sri Malayappa Swami and Vishvaksena.

Then the holy Akshatas are sprinkled on Malayappa Swami and Vishvaksena.

Priests Receive Danam from Swamivaru

The next event of the ritual Matradanam which consists of some amount of Rice Grains, Dakshina Amount, and Tambulam (Betel Leaves and Nut powder) are offered to the Priests.

The Priests in return bless Lord Srinivasa with the words “Nityaisvaryo Bhava” (Be the Richest forever). Blessing Swamivaru by the priests is an exclusive event that can be seen only in the Daily Koluvu and this Asthanam at Tirumala.

The Chief priest is adorned on the head by the Foot Garment of Lord Srinivasa which is called ‘Parivattam’ and pays respect to Sathari.

Ugadi Asthanam – Panchanga Sravanam

• Then the Royal Assembly of Srivaru commences. In the royal assembly, the Royal Astrologer is assigned the duty of Reading the New Lunar Year Panchagam taking it from the holy feet of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
• First, he begins with reading the Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana of the Day.
• Then starts to give the details, the Results and effects of the New Year, Gains and Losses, the Planetary positions and their effects, the growth of crops and animal husbandry, and other calendar-related matters.
• The Kandaya Phalams and the Respect and Disrespect of all those who are born in the 27 stars are read.
• The God Srinivasa is humbly requested to be more kind towards all the worlds of devotees making all of them more happy, rich, and comfortable throughout the year.
• The Siddhanti receives the Sathari respect from the priests. The priests offer the details of the income and expenditure of the year just passed to the Great God Srinivasa.

Ugadi Asthanam – The final events

Navanita Harati is offered to Sri Venkateswara. The Cow Butter and Tambulam are received from Swami Varu by the Executive Officer and others. After that, the Mysore Harati, Tallapaka Harati, and Tarigonda Harati are offered to Swamivaru.

Finally, the Prasada is offered to all, and with this, the Swamivari Asthanam comes to an end. It is the belief of all that, this Swami Vari Asthanam is an event through which all the devotees in the entire human world will be graced by Srinivasa Swami to have a bright and promising future.

* Source: Saptagiri Magazine