Tag: hanuman

Ramulavari Meda (Rama’s Abode) - Tirupati Balaji Temple

Ramulavari Meda (Rama’s Abode) – Tirupati Balaji Temple

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Ramulavari Meda / Rama’s Abode

As soon as you cross Snapana Mandapam there is a narrow 12″ x 10″ passage. This is known as Ramulavari Meda. Before 1262-65 A.D. the researchers believe that this was not there. They believe that this was a part of the present Vaikunta Pradakshina path.

To enter Ramulavari Meda from Snapana Mandapam we have to pass through Six feet wide stone door frame. Outside this door frame wooden door frame with doors is built for protection. A locking system is provided to lock inner doors.

Sri Rama Rama Ramethi
Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasra Nama Thath Thulyam
Rama Nama Varanane

On both sides of Ramulavari Meda, there are raised terraces or platforms.

  • On the southern side raised platform the utsava statues of Angada, Hanuman, and Sugreeva, facing north are installed.
  • Similarly, on the northern side raised platform utsava moorthies of Venkateswara’s family members like Vishwaksena, Anantha, and Garuda are installed. These statues face south.

VISWAK SENA or SRI VISHVAKSENA or VISWAKSENA

Rama’s family

The Deities who belong to Rama’s family –

Sugreeva

Being the king of Vanaras, he has a crown on his head. He is offering his salutations to Rama by joining his two hands with upward palms. He will participate in the coronation ceremony of Rama which will be performed on Dasami Day after Sri Rama Navami.

Angada

After seeing Rama’s splendor in Lord Venkateswara of Venkatachala, Angada’s jaw gets dropped. Angada’s bewildered expression can be seen in the face. Being crown prince he has a small cap-like crown. He too will participate in the coronation ceremony of Sri Rama.

Obedient Hanuman

Obedient Hanuman is standing before Rama with his right hand covering his mouth. When he says ‘Yes My Lord’ to avoid spluttering he is covering his mouth with his right hand. Because of this particular behavior, he is known as the most obedient Hanuman. He plays an important role when Rama’s court gets assembled or at the time of Rama’s coronation.

Sri Venkateswara’s family

The Deities belonging to Sri Venkateswara’s family –

Anantha

Anantha is no other than Adisesha who becomes a comfortable bed for Lord Srinivasa by curling down. He has hoods and is showing blessing Mudra. This Moorthy is made of Panchaloha (an alloy of five metals).

ANNA UNJAL MANDAPAM
Hoisting of the Garudadhwaja on Dhwajastambham

On the very first day of Brahmothsavams before hoisting the temple flag a ceremony to invite eight guards who guard four directions as well as four corners, is performed. Anantha participates in this Gramotsav.

Vishwaksena

Vishwaksena is the commander-in-chief of universal Lord Sri Venkateswara’s army. He is also known as “Sena Mudaliyar” in Tamil. He has blessing hands and has Sankhu and Chakra. This Moorthy is also made of an alloy of five metals. He plays an important role in different courts – Ugadi, Deepavali, Anivara – He will head ceremonies like Ankurarpanam, Mrutti Sangraha (soil collection).

Being commander-in-chief of Lord Venkateswara he occupies an important place.

Garuda

He is Swamy’s aerial car. He will be ever ready to carry the Lord with open wings. This panchaloha Moorthy stands with folded hands. He participates on the first day of Swamy Brahmothsavam at the time of inviting rulers of all the eight directions. This Utsav Moorthy whose height is 1 ½ feet participates in all ceremonies.

garuda puranam

The idols of Seetha Rama and Lakshmana which are now kept in Sanctum Sanctorum were once on the raised platform. Because of this placement, that particular area gets the name of ‘Ramulavari Meda’.

It is said the idols which were once on the platform were shifted into Sanctum Sanctorum. But the name continues to be Ramulavari Meda even to this day. The other small idols that were there on the raised platform were, it is said, shifted to Ankurarpana (sprouting) Mandapam which is near the golden well.

When the crowd is larger, devotees will have the darshan of Lord Balaji from this Ramulavari Meda. Daily night Ekantha seva (solitude) will be performed here. At that time a descendant of Tallapaka Annamacharya with a Tambura (a stringed musical instrument) will sing a lullaby.

Tallapaka Annamacharya

Hanumantha Vahanam 2018

Hanumantha Vahanam 2018

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There is one ceremony or the other almost daily for Lord Venkateswara manifest on Tirumala.

Different ceremonies are conducted on a grand scale for the Lord with different time frames— daily, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly. Of them, special mention may be made of annual Brahmotsavas.

Devotees go on raptures witnessing the Lord on different carriages and earnestly wait for the earliest opportunity to visit them. Brahmotsavas are conducted twice this year much to their jubilation.

Because of the addition of one month as per the Telugu Calendar, two categories of Brahmotsavas are conducted this year, namely—Salakatla and Navaratri (nine-day).

Hanumantha Vahanam – Lord of Ananda Nilaya on Anjaneya

The Lord singly goes on a procession on a Hanuman carriage (Hanumantha Vahana Seva) on the sixth day of Brahmostsavas).

Hanumantha VahanamVenkatadri Rama appears as Lord Sri Rama of Tretayuga. In the auspicious waking up ceremony every morning, the Lord is addressed as Rama, the son of Kousalya, in the shloka, “Kousalya supraja rama poorvaa sandhya pravartate.” Hanuman is a symbol of servitude as devotion.

The Lord has made Hanuman who served Him faithfully in Tretayuga, His carriage now to reveal his commitment to devotion to the present generation.

Anjaneya- Hanuman - Tirumala

Anjaneya- Hanuman – Tirumala

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Anjaneya / Hanuman

A simple recollection of the name itself brings about a great joy propelled by Bhakti. A mere reflection of the imposing mountain range adds fervor to Prapatti. This one word is enough to create a ripple effect of utmost dedication. What makes the word so powerful and impactful?

One reason is the presence of the Supreme Godhead in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple located on the hill. There should not be an iota of doubt to believe in this reason. But there is yet another factor that drives boundless Bhakti on hearing the word ‘Tirumala.’ And that reason is – Anjaneya or Hanuman.

All Puranas and Itihasas of Vedic lore stress an important aspect of ‘Bhakta Vatsalya’ shown by the Almighty. The Supreme Soul always shows a tender affection towards the other souls in this creation.

Through the episodes of Prahlada, Gajendra & Ajamila, God Narayana has exemplified His infinite kindness towards his Bhaktas. He preferred to be called “Prahlada Varada” “Gaja Rakshaka” or “Ajamila Varada” instead of being called Vishnu or Hari or Sarvottama.

Anjanadri

Likewise, the limitless power of the word Tirumala can also be ascribed to ‘Anjanadri’ an alternative name for the same hill. Bhavishyottara Purana vividly describes how the Tirumala hill got to be known as ‘Anjanadri’ during Treta Yuga.

Legend

Kesari and Anjana belong to the Vanara (monkey) race and were living in precincts of Pampa Kshetra (today’s Hampi). They were frequenting the hermitage of Sage Matanga to attain spiritual knowledge. Though they were married for a long, unfortunately, they were left childless and this has caused great agony for the benevolent couple.

They sought a bit of advice from their Guru and a response to the request Sage Matanga told them to relocate to Tirumala Hill. He told Anjana Devi to undertake a severe penance on the banks of Akasaganga, a sacred water body located on the Tirumala hill.

Accordingly, Kesari and Anjana reached Akasaganga where the latter took to penance for 12 years. As a result of her austerity, Vayudeva (God of Wind) bestowed Anjani with a mango fruit in which his reflection was embedded.

Subsequently, Kesari and Anjana were blessed with a boy who had been named ‘Hanuman’ by the sages.

Meaning of Hanuman

In Sanskrit, ‘Hanu’ means ‘knowledge’, and ‘Man’ means the one possessing (a quality). Thus Hanuman means the one with ‘great knowledge’. As he was born to Anjana Devi, the boy has also been called as ‘Anjaneya’.

God Vishnu was pleased with the severe penance of Anjana and bestowed a boon that the sacred will be known after her name. Thus, ‘Anjanadri’ became a synonym for Tirumala.

Anjanadri – Birthplace of Anjaneya

The name ‘Anjanadri’ also indicates the birth of Anjaneya which took place on this hill. It also must be remembered here that the water needed for the daily Puja of Sri Venkateswara is being brought from Akasaganga only on the banks of which Anjanadevi gave birth to Anjaneya.

Thus, the Supreme Godhead presented his sacred abode as a symbol of virtuous austerity, sincere devotion, and unparalleled dedication. This is the reason why the word ‘Tirumala’ generates such fervor among devotees to this day.

Anjaneya Swam temple back Tirumala
Drawing of Hanuman on the back side of the temple in Tirumala

 

We are quite familiar with the relationship between Lord Rama and Hanuman. Like how Sita can’t be separated from Rama so is the case with Rama and Hanuma. Ancient scriptures such as Ananda Ramayana describe the pilgrimage of Lord Rama to Anjanadri after He was coroneted as the king of Ayodhya.

This legend clearly shows how Rama who is none other than Lord Venkateswara has highlighted the importance and sanctity of Anjanadri (Tirumala).

*Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine