Ankurarpana Mandapam / Ankur Arpana Mandapam
Opposite the chief kitchen and towards the south of Bangaru Baavi there is a mandapam. This is known as Ankurarpana Mandapam. Every year the Dasara Brahmothsavam is celebrated for ten days by Lord Venkateswara. The initiation of this Brahmothsavam starts from this Mandapam.
Ankuram as we all known is sprout. Arpanam is offering. Here in this mandapam, Nava Dhanyam (nine varieties of grains) sprouts are grown. For every auspicious occasion, the sprouting marks the beginning. The sprouting process takes place a day before the hoisting of a flag on Golden Dhwajasthambham. (click here for Dhwajasthambham mandapam).
Google’s Map – Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Vishwaksena – chief commander of Lord Venkateswara
On that day under the supervision of the chief commander of Lord Venkateswara, Vishwaksena, the Ankurarpanam takes place. Firstly the idols of Vishwaksena, Garuda, and Anantha will be brought from Ramulavari Meda to this Mandapam. Then under the direction of Vishwaksena fine ant hill soil is collected.
Then Sri Vishwaksena, Sri Sudarsana, Anantha, and Garuda reach Vasantha Mandapam which is situated in the southwest direction of Lord’s temple.
With all temple honors like piped music, beating of drums, chanting of Veda Mantras they proceed to Vasantha Mandapam in a procession. The soil collection, particularly the soil from ant hills, takes place in Vasantha Mandapam. Before collecting the soil from ant hills, the instruments to be used and even ant hills are worshipped as per Vedic rituals. Then with that soil Vishwakasena, in a procession enters the main temple through Maha pradakshana path.
Then onwards Sri Vishwaksena, Garuda, etc., stay back in Ankurarpana Mandapam till the completion of Brahmothsavam. Not only during Brahmothsavams, but even on occasions like Jyeshtabhishekam (an annual function which is celebrated for three days from pournami) Sravana Nakshthram day (this comes in the month of Karthik on this day pushpa yaga utsavam is performed to Lord Venkateswara) the aforesaid procedure of Ankurarpanam will be performed a day before under the supervision of Vishwaksena who happens to be the commander-in-chief.
Because the Ankurarpanam takes place, this mandapam gets the name of Ankur Arpana Mandapam. This mandapam has one more specialty.
The idols of
- Anantha,
- Vishwaksena,
- Garuda,
- Sugreeva,
- Angada, and
- Anjaneya
which will be in Ramulavari Meda, are shifted to Ankurarpana Mandapam. This shifting helps the pilgrims who visit Tirumala to have the darshan of idols mentioned. We have already come to know about these idols and their importance. Let us bow before these idols.
Explore all Mandapams Inside Tirumala Temple
Yagasala
Adjacent to Ankurarpana Mandapam towards the west there is a room. This room is known as Yagasala. Yagams are conducted here. All Yagas connected with the daily Vedic activities of the temple are conducted here. Of late Yagas are conducted in this mandapam only during Brahmothsavams.
The homams, yagas connected with all the other activities like Jyeshtabhishekam, Pavitra Utsavam, Pushpayagam, and the special pooja that are being conducted every Monday, daily Kalyana Utsavam are now being held in, sampangi mandapam.
Every Wednesday, Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam is performed to the Chief Idol in the morning. During this particular pooja yagam is conducted on a stage near Golden Door
Yagno yagna patiryajwa
Yagnango yagna vaahanaha
Yagna Bhrudyagna kridagnee
Yagna Bhugyagna Saadhanaha
Yagnanthakrid yagna Guhya
Mana Mannada Eva Cha
-Vishnu Sahasra Namam
Because of the yagna performed by sage Bhrigu, Lord Vishnu took human form and started dwelling in Tirumala which is being praised as Vykunttam on earth. Lord Vishnu’s Consort Sri Maha Lakshmi as Alamelu Manga, too was born in Narayanavanam which is considered to be the edge of Venkatachala mountain. She was born in Yagna Bhoomi of Akasaraju. From the house of Akasa Raju, She walked into the Abode of Lord Venkateswara which is known as Ananda Nilayam.
From that day Alamelu Manga became His Consort. Lord Venkateswara assumed the name of Srinivasa. Srinivasa is fulfilling all the desires of His devotees.
The Yagasala is within the precincts (the area within the walls or perceived boundaries of a particular building or place) of the temple. The Yagasala is the place where the marriage between Srinivasa and Alamelu Manga was solemnized. Since time immemorial yagnas have been conducted keeping in mind the general welfare of the people. Lord Venkateswara Himself is everything.
He is Kartha, Karma as well as Kriya. Let us bow our heads before Lord Venkateswara who readily answers all sincere prayers of His devotees.
Govinda! Govinda!! Govinda!!!
