Poola Baavi (Flower Well)
Just opposite to Yamunottara flower room and adjacent to Mirror Mandapam, towards the North, there is a well. This well is known as Poola Baavi i.e., flower well. Tulasi, flowers and garlands that are offered to Sri Venkateswara and other Gods cannot and should not be used by the devotees. So these things are thrown into this well. Hence this well is known as Poola Baavi. This well has another name. People have named it as Bhootheertham.
As the days passed by the well became dry. After some time at the behest of Lord Srinivasa, a devotee by the name Ranga Das (Thondaman in his previous birth) dug the dry well. It is said the well’s spring became active once again.
Emperor Thondaman
Ranga Das with the water drawn from this well Bhootheertham planted flower seeds. After some time this Ranga Das came to this world as the emperor Thondaman. Lord Venkateswara directed Emperor Thondaman to renovate and reconstruct this well. The emperor carried out the orders of Lord Venkateswara. He became a dear devotee of Swamy Varu.
It is said Emperor Thondaman used to visit Tirumala by taking a secret tunnel under the Poola Baavi.
Emperor Thondaman was once defeated by his enemies. Through the secret tunnel, it is said he came to Tirumala. At that time Lord Venkateswara was alone with His two spouses Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Seeing an intruder disturbing them while They were in the company of Their spouse Lord Venkateswara, both were put to blush.
Sri Devi hid Herself in the chest of the Lord and Bhoo Devi went into a flower well to hide. Varaha Puraanam mentions this.
Sri Ramanujacharya Visiting Tirumala Temple
During his visit to Tirumala Sri Ramanujacharya saw this well which was known as Bhootheertham. He came to know about the prevalent story about the well. He took steps immediately to install an idol of Bhoo Devi in the well. As Lord Srinivasa happens to be ‘Theerthadhipati’ Sri Ramanujacharya made all arrangements for the daily pooja.
He oversaw the arrangements for depositing the used garlands and other flower decorations into this well as the well happens to be the dwelling place of Bhoo Devi. ‘Sri Venkatachala Itihasamala’ book mentions this. It is Sri Ramanujacharya who initiated this tradition. Normally, as it has almost become a convention, the used garlands and flowers are not distributed to the devotees.
They break this tradition during Kartheeka (the eighth Hindu lunar month) Brahmothsavam of Tiruchanur on the Panchami theertham (Chakrasnanam) day. All the used garlands and flowers, along with other offerings like Saree, blouse pieces, spices, laddus, vadas and other things will be traditionally brought from Tirumala and given to Golden Padmavathi.
People with all paraphernalia cover the distance from Tirumala to Tiruchanur by foot. The deity is decorated with the offerings received from Tirumala and after the poojas the goddess Padmavathi is given Chakrasnanam i.e., a sacred bath. Of late as the quantity of used flowers and garlands has grown enormously these things are being disposed at a tableland i.e., on the even ground of a mountaintop where people do not tread.
Once upon a time, the well had steps to climb down. Later round-shaped well was built. Now it is covered with sieve like steel frame. Flower pots are now arranged on the steel frame.
Govinda! Govinda!! Govinda!!!
