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Understanding Sattumurai
The term ‘Sattumurai’ means the recitation of Tamil prabandham of the alvars in the manner prescribed. The Nalayira prabandham as prescribed is recited now when only Sri Vaishnavas are allowed to be present. The Srivaishnavas headed by the Jeer alone go into the garbha griha after the archakas return from the offering of Bali.
Portions of the prabandham are read out commencing with the patrams and ending with ‘Vazhi tirunamam’ The tirtham, chandanam and prasadam are then distributed to all present in the order of preference. This custom is not mentioned in any of the inscriptions though an epigraph of 1476 A.D. mentions the Sattumurai of the alvars and not of the Lord. Even then the recital of the prabandham took place in Sri Ramanuja’s shrine and not in the Garbha Griha.
The Sattumurai function wherever it is performed is generally considered an exclusive right of the Sri Vaishnavas. The Tomala seva ends with the Sattumurai. 9-00 a.m. to 1-00 p.m. Sarvadarsanam (altered to 8 a.m. to midnight from 1-3-79 with an interval of an hour at noon and an hour at night for puja).
During this time free sarva darsanam of the Lord is allowed to all pilgrims. In recent years the rush for Darsan has become so great that one can have Darsan of the Lord only for a second or two and that too only in a constantly moving queue.
Naivedyam – 2nd Time
12-00 noon to 1-00 p.m. Aparanhapuja or Second Bell.
Naivedyam for a second time is now offered followed by a second archana with 108 names only. This is wholly a private one, and the Lord’s astotharanama from the Varahapurana is now repeated.
During this naivedyam the food offerings (cherupulu) and other eatables (panyarams or pallu) paid for by the devotees are offered to the Lord. This is an arjitha seva where the prasadam is paid for, by the devotee and after some quantity is taken away for the temple, the balance is given to the grihasta or the donor.
After the second bell is rung; the first half of the day’s ritual worship of the temple is presumed to be over and the box containing the payments made by the pilgrims within the temple is brought over to the parapattidar i.e., the officer in charge of the temple treasury and the doors are closed.
1.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Sarvadarsanam
In recent years due to the heavy rush of Pilgrim. Sarvadarsanam is allowed soon after Naivedyam is over.
Ratripuja
8.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Ratripuja.
The Ratripuja is done at night to the Lord. This is similar to the morningTomalaseva. This is strictly a private puja and none, but those who have religious duty to perform, are allowed to be present. Ardhajamapuja or last function for the night is known as the ardhajama or the nisi puja.
This is a private one and is meant for offering sweets, payasam, etc.
Free Sarvadarsha
9 p.m. to 12 midnight Free Sarvadarshan is given again. Now Suddhi is again done at the temple.
Ekanta Seva
12 midnight to 12-30 a.m. Ekantaseva. Ekanta Seva or Pavalimpuseva.
The Bhoga Srinivasa, except during the Margasira month, is laid down on the Vuyyalu (cradle) hung by silver chains hanging from a beam in the mukhamantapam from which it derives its name of Sayana mandapam. This is also called Ekantaseva.
At this time, milk, fruits, almond nuts etc., are offered to the Lord. Two billas of perfumed chandanam are placed at the feet of the Dhruva Murti after removing the kavacham covering the feet. Half a Billa is also placed on the chest of Bhoga Srinivasa, a quarter for alarmelmangai on the chest of the Dhruva murthi. Another quarter is also left for the night puja by Brahma.
Tarigonda Venkamamba’s harati in a plate inlaid with one of the Dasavatarams each day with pearls brought by a descendent of the family is waved before the Lord after offering milk and a few pieces of cashew nuts. During this function, songs are also sung. The descendant of Tallapaka poets also sings sankirtanam of Tallapaka.
This seva is one to Bhoga Srinivasamurti for 11 months in a year while in the Dhanurmasa or Margali month, the idol of Sri Krishna receives it. It is during this seva that the silver cups filled with water are placed for worship by Brahma and half the phalam and chandanam are also kept there.
An inscription of 1513 A.D. in the temple records, that Chinnaji Devi and Tirumala Devi, the two queens of Krishnadeva Raya presented each, a gold cup weighing 374 tukams for offering milk during this seva.
Obul nayaka Ramanayaka, a general of Krishna Devaraya also presented 200 cows in 1514 A.D. for preparing paledu kulambu for the Ardhajama seva as per another epigraph. This is the normal routine puja in the temple every day. However, variations are made on Thursdays and Fridays to correspond to the special puja peculiar to that day.
