We are all aware that the Tirumala hill shrine is famous for the most beautiful and life-like icon of Lord Venkateswara.
Such is the divine beauty of our Lord, that it so goes in the Venkateswara Sahasra namavali, jagan mOhaka soundarya dharminE namaha|| which means “Salutations to Lord Venkateswara whose beauty is unmatched in the entire universe!”
Sri Rama Navami at Tirumala
Along with several other icons of Gods and Goddesses, the Sanctum of Tirumala also houses a beautiful set of Rama parivar. It includes icons of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana, Anjaneya, Sugriva and Angada. They are excellent specimens of metal art.
Rama is two-armed, the right hand holding a kataka mudra (to hold an arrow) and the left hand poised to hold a bow.
The figurine itself is in a tri-bhang instance or a tri-band pose. Sita is to His right and Lakshmana, who is similar to his brother but a bit smaller in size stands to Rama’s left.
If we observe, it is seen that the crowns of Rama and Lakshmana are not jewelled as usual, it is actually in a Jata (matted hair tied into a top knot). Thus, it depicts Aranya Rama. It is believed that these icons were consecrated in memory of Sri Rama’s visit to the sacred shrine of Tirumala during His search for Goddess Sita.
These deities do not receive any special worship every day but are included in Nityarchana (daily worship).
On the day of Sri Rama Navami
But on the occasion of Lord Rama’s birthday, a two-day festival is conducted. A special court or Asthana is held for Lord Sri Rama on Sri Rama Navami (Chaitra Suddha Navami).
In the morning, deities of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana and Sri Anjaneya receive a sacred bath in the ‘RanganayakulaMandapam’ in the premises of the temple.
Sri Rama is then taken out in a grand procession astride His favourite devotee Hanuman (SiriyaTiruvadi in Sri Vaishnava terminology). The vahanam is gloriously bedecked with sweet-smelling flowers and Sri Rama is adorned in special jewellery.
After the Utsavam and regular night kainkaryams, Sri Rama and other deities are brought to the BangaruVakili (the golden threshold nearest to the sanctum) and are reverently placed on the SarvaBhoopala Vahanam. The deities are beautifully adorned for the occasion. They are then offered special Naivedyams.
The Vaikhanasa archaka is then blessed with a Parivattam (sacred cloth belonging to the Lord, that is tied around the priest’s head) and satari honours. Balakanda (Sri Rama JananaVritthanta) is recited in Sanskrit. A special Harathi is offered and prasadams are distributed among those present.
Sri Rama Pattabhishekam
The next day, which is Chaitra suddhadasami, Pattabhishekam or a grand crowning ceremony is conducted to Lord Rama.
In a similar manner to the previous day, the deities of Lord Rama and Sita are taken out in a procession instead of Lord Malayappa in the evening. After the procession, the deities are again reverently placed on the SarvaBhoopala Vahanam near the Bangaruvakili.
But for the Pattabhishekam event, the deities of Angada and Sugreeva also join the ceremony. They are each adorned with a beautiful garland worn by Rama as a token of His blessings to them. The divine court concludes with the recital of “Ayodhya Kanda” in Sanskrit. It is followed by Naivedyam and Harathi.
Thus, ‘Aranya Rama’ has a special place in the divine sanctum of Tirumala.
Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine
