Tag: Sri Bhandaram

Peculiar Terminology - Tirupati Balaji Temple

Peculiar Terminology – Tirupati Balaji Temple

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Article by – Sri T.K. Krishnaswami Thathacharya

Peculiar Terminology

Our ancient Hindus tried to focus the infinite powers and attributes of the invisible divinity in a visible image for ministering to our spiritual welfare.

The Mahabharata (Mausala Parvam Chapter – V) states the origin of image worship. It is unknown when the Lord came to have a birth on the Vengadam Hills of His own choice (Svayam Vyaktam). The Lord’s attractive magnetic smile with coral lips of imposing image form seems to have been there from an unknown date.

This temple of Lord Venkateswara existed centuries ago and was administered by Chola, Pandya, Marathas, VijayaNagara kings, the British Mahants and other local chieftains from time to time.

During the rule of each dynasty, the names of the departments in the temple and administration changed according to the language used. It is interesting to note that the names of different departments in the Temple of Lord Srinivasa were also in vogue during the period of different rules.

The following are the interesting names.

Tirumalai

This was used by the Tamil kings and Alwars for Tirumala.

Tiruvengadam

This was used by the Tamil kings and Alwars for Tirumala

Tiruvengadamudayan

This was used by the Tamil kings and Alwars for Lord Venkateswara.

Azagiya Manavala Perumal

This was used by the Tamil kings and Alwars for Bhoga Srinivasa murthi.

Periya Perumal

This was used by the Tamil kings and Alwars for the Main deity.

Pancha Beram - Dhruva Beram

Vaga padi

A place where Naivedyam is prepared in Tirumala.

Tiruppani Bhandaram

Engineering Department of the temple.

Sri Bhandaram

Finance Department of the temple.

Sabhairs

Committee Chosen by Kings for the temple.

Sthanikaars

The local people who are interested in doing the service of the Lord.

Bokkasam

A place to keep and maintain the silk clothes of the Lord in safe custody and ornaments (Jewellery) and also keeping the records of the Tirumala temple.

Sabera paricharaka

A person to keep all the vessels belonging to the Lord in safe custody and daily keeping them. He has to prepare sandal paste, for the Friday Abhishekam and mix it with the parimalam to the Lord. For the daily Darshan in the early hours, he has to keep the vessels for the pooja.

He has to bring the cot of the Lord to the Sayana mandapam during (Ekantha seva) night and has to take it back the next day.

Ekantha Seva (daily Seva) in Tirumala temple

He has to prepare the Taambulam (a mixture of betel leaves and nuts). He has to distribute the prasadams — as per the custom and usage. In his work, the Bokkasam attendants also have to participate. The silver / gold umbrella is to be taken out during utsavam behind the Lord.

Peishkar

Once upon a time, the peishkar was the only person in Tirumala looking after the temple and other departments. The name was used and started by the mahants. He was in charge of the Temple routine and supervision of the temple departments. Nowadays, the Assistant Executive Officer in the Tirumala temple is called as ‘Peishkar’.

Uttara Parpatyadar (or) Parupathyadar

He has to maintain the temple routine of the temple and inform the officers and Jeeyars about it.

TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAMS ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING
TTD Administrative Building, Tirupati

Huzoor office

In those days, the TTD Administrative Building is known as Huzoor office.

Deepali

Sanitary workers/sweepers etc. in the temple are called Deepali.

Ghantapani

His job is to clean outside Kulasekharapadi and ring the Big Bells during Naivedyam every day and carry a flaming light used as a big torch in the temple.

Nityakatla

Daily utsavams in the temple. click here to explore Daily Utsavams

Varakatla

Weekly routine utsavams in the temple. Click here to explore Weekly Ceremonies.

Pakshakatla

Fortnightly utsavams in the temple.

Masakatla

Monthly utsavams in the temple. Click here to explore.

Salakatla

Annual utsavams in the temple.

Kalpavriksha Vahanam - Grand Festival in Tirumala
Kalpavriksha Vahanam – Grand Festival in Tirumala

Chandana paani

This person is to bring clean clothes properly to the Moolavirat (Main deity) to be offered to the saalagramas and the holy feet of the Lord. He has to prepare sandal paste daily for the Lord.

Padikavali – Mahadwaram

The main entrance of the temple is called as ‘Padikavali’.

Jiddu - Tirumala Temple
Jiddu

Jiddu

The small doors of the main entrance (Mahadwaram) in the temple.

Dafedar

Chief peon of the temple.

Navbhatkaana

It is a north Indian Drum. The music is played in mornings and in evenings in the Tirumala temple by this instrument.

Pounji (Diviti)

A Lighted long torch lamp held by hand. A flaming light.

Parakamani

A place where the Hundi offerings of the pilgrims are counted.

Parakamani - Tirumala Temple

Mahathaadulu

Office attendees in the temple.

Jam Ghanta ochi

A person beating the bell with his hand while going in front of a procession during harati time.

Mafi cherapulu

Asking for forgiveness or praying by Archakas to pardon any mistakes done during Aradhana or otherwise. It is called as Padaseva.

Kaikaala Reddy

A person to tie the curtains and remove them and to bring the keys from Jeeyangar Mutt. He is also vahana bearer.

Japra

A Mixture of Sandal powder, camphor (white) and Kumkuma puvvu (saffron).

The above are the important and daily used terms in Tirumala Temple according to the custom and usage.

Om Namo Venkatesaya

Snapana Mandapam (Mandapam of Holy Ablutions)

Snapana Mandapam (Mandapam of Holy Ablutions)

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Snapana Mandapam

As you enter through Golden doors you come across, not very much illuminated, a 27 feet quadrangular mandapam. This (Snapana Mandapam) has four pillars in the middle portion. Sculptured figures of Balakrishna, Yoga Narasimha, Sri Krishna Kaliya Mardhana, etc., can be seen on these pillars. It is known as “Tiruvilan Koil”, a Tamil word for Sanskrit Bala Aalayam.

Whenever repairs or renovation or reconstruction work of Sanctum Sanctorum, either inside or outside is taken up they will have a shift to temple Bala Aalayam. The potency (tejas) of the Lord will be induced or transferred into another idol.

Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy

In the year 614 A.D., it is said a Pallava queen by name ‘Samavayi’ (Perundevi) had offered a silver replica of Manvaala Perumal i.e., Bhoga Srinivasa Moorthy, to the temple. She oversaw the installation of the silver idol. Not only this, she made necessary arrangements to perform poojas as well as holy ablutions to Lord Venkateswara by granting necessary funds.

Bhoga Srinivasa murthy
Bhoga Srinivasa murthy

Researchers think that at the time of the installation of the Silver replica of Bhoga Srinivasa Moorthy, the priests would have made use of this Snapana Mandapam i.e., mandapam for holy ablutions.

Sri Bhandaram

In this Snapana Mandapam on both sides of the door, there are two rooms known as Sri Bhandaram. In the room to the right of the golden door they store the offerings collected from the “Hundi”. Everyday night after “Theermanam” (end of seva’s for the day) which follows Ekantha seva (service offered to the Lord in solitude), ‘Hundi’ is opened and then sealed firmly.

Well and firmly sealed Hundi then be taken to the “Bhandaram” (storehouse) which is to the north of Golden Door. Because of this, the rooms get the name of Kaanuka (gift or offering) Bhandaram.

Samarpanam

There is one more room to the south of the Golden Door. Here the costly jewelry of Lord Venkateswara is stored. The decoration of the Lord’s idol with costly precious jewelry is considered a special service. This service is known as ‘Samarpanam’.

There are three ways in which this samarpanam is carried out.

They are known as

  1. Sadaa (daily) samarpanam,
  2. Visesha (special) samarpanam and
  3. Mojaati (jewelry of historical importance) samarpanam.

All these expensive jewelry, precious stones, diamonds, etc. are stored in the store room which is to the south of the golden door.

Jewelry for decorating Shrine
Jewelry for decorating Shrine

Sadaa (daily) samarpanam

Ornaments meant for daily adornment come under consideration for sada samarpanam. They include a Golden crown, a Golden hip hand (kati hastham), a blessing hand, a sword, an alligator-shaped necklace, and Lakshmi garlands, etc., These are ornaments made of gold. These will be in the custody of archakas i.e., purohits. These things adorn the Lord daily. They are valued at more than 1 crore.

Visesha Samarpanam

On special occasions, like the visit of the Prime Minister or President or any other dignitary, etc., and on important festival days very valuable things like a Diamond crown, diamond-studded Sankhu and Chakra, Vykuntta Hip Hands, etc., adorn the idol of Lord Venkateswara.

The aforesaid ornaments are studded with costly as well as very costly precious stones. These things will be under the custody of one special officer who is known as ‘Paarupattedaaru’. These things are worth more than two crores.

Mojaati Samarpanam

During Brahmothsavams, and other paid utsavas or special courts organized for Lord Venkateswara very old and precious ornaments of historical value donated by kings and emperors of bygone days (belonging to an earlier time.), as well as Kings and Zamindars of yester years adorn the Lord.

Being very valuable things they are kept safely in T.T.D.’s treasury. Before the Utsavams they will be taken from the treasury and will be returned after the Utsavams. Sada (Daily) Samarpanam ornaments or jewelry will be in the custody of priests. They keep these things in lockers of Samarpana mandiram.

Paarupattedaaru (A special officer in charge of the temple or a man in authority) will be overall in charge of the Lord’s Ornaments and Jewels.

Govinda! Govinda!! Govinda!!!