Vows to Tirupati Balaji
Lord Venkateswara is the giver of boons. That is why devotees flock to the Tirumala hills. He showers His grace upon everybody because he is “Sripathi”, Lord of Goddess of Wealth. Goddess Sri Devi resides in his chest. Her benevolent glance makes Lord Srinivasa fulfil all the Dharmic desires of the devotees.
But why do devotees undertake different vows to fulfil their wishes in Tirumala? We see tonsuring, Thulabharam (equal weighting), Angapradakshina (circumambulating) and many more undertaken by devotees. It is because their wishes are fulfilled.
Climbing the Hill
The most common of these vows is, climbing the hill on foot. It takes approx. around 3.5 to 4 hours to climb the hill from Alipiri. The first half an hour is a bit steep but after that it is normal. Many facilities like shelter and water arrangements are made for the devotees by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
A few climb the hill by applying turmeric and vermilion to each of the steps; others climb by doing “Namaskaram” (salutation) to each step. Everybody, however, chants the divine name of “Govinda”. The Lord gives them the necessary strength to succeed in their effort. He will be with the devotees all through till His Darshan.
There are around 3550 steps on the whole and the pilgrims have to cover a distance of approximately 12 km to complete the foot pathway. It is also believed that Sri Ramanujacharya climbed the hill on his knees as he did not want to step on the holy hill with his feet.
One should not wear any footwear to climb the hill. There is also another foot pathway ‘Srivari Mettu‘ from Srinivasa Mangapuram near Tirupati.
Let’s chant Govinda and climb now to reach Tirumala!
Kalyanakatta (Tonsuring centre)
Kalyanakatta is a sacred place. Often we see people coming from Tirumala having their heads tonsured. It is one of the ways of shedding their ego. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has arranged many centres of tonsure which are tidy.
Bathing facilities are also available free of cost. Tonsuring is done free of cost by experienced barbers around the clock. Many offer the first tonsuring of children in Tirumala. Thus, the practice seems to prevail from ancient days.
Thulabharam (Equal Weighing)
An incident in the life of Satyabhama opens up her eyes to the nature of true Bhakti as evidenced in Rukmini Devi. Once, she undertakes Punyaka vrata involving patidana (donating husband) on the suggestion of Sage Narada to keep her husband always in her control.
She thought that she could take back her Lord after weighing Him with an equal quantity of wealth. Accordingly, Satyabhama gives Lord Krishna in charity to Sage Narada.
In the thulabharam she fails to weigh Him with all her wealth and materials. The Lord weighs when Rukmini places a sacred basil twig in the balance with all her sincere prayers.
Satyabhama in all her regret realizes that the Lord cannot be weighed with gold or money but only through absolute devotion. In Tirumala one can offer coins, sugar candy, sugar, jaggery etc. (according to their vow) equal to one’s weight.
Devotees consider it a great opportunity. They continue to chant the name “Govinda” in the process of weighing so that the Lord would accept their offering.
Recently, TTD started Tulabharam in Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanur also for the sake of devotees.
Angapradakshinam
“Anga” means parts of the body. “Pradakshina” means going around the temple. It is carried out by rolling on the floor around the temple. TTD issues the tickets for this. But at present due to covid, tickets are not being issued.
One must take the ticket, bathe in Pushkarini and wear traditional clothes and do it in wet clothes around Ananda Nilayam chanting “OM Namo Venkatesaya” or “Govinda” early in the morning while Suprabhata Seva goes on for the Lord in the main shrine.
Devotees believe that one who performs this seva will get rid of sorrows/miseries etc.
Click here to book tickets for Angapradakshinam
Niluvu Dopidi (Complete Offering)
It is a practice of offering all the ornaments on one’s body to Lord Venkateswara. Devotees vow to undergo NILUVU DOPIDI when they are in utmost distress to save them from the crisis. It is “Saranagathi” taking the sole refuge at the Lord’s feet.
Ladies wear “Yellow thread as Mangala sutra” to offer the golden Mangalasutra to the Lord.
Srivari Hundi
Offering money, ornaments or whatever according to their wish tied in yellow cloth and dropped in Srivari Hundi as part of their vow is an ancient practice to fulfil their wishes.
Further More
There are also customs like coconut breaking, contributing to Akhanda Deeparadhana, and offering of cradle\swing if one begets children by the grace of the Lord.
Google Maps location of Akhilandam
During the Tamil month “Puratassi”, many devotees light lamps made of rice flour, ghee and jaggery (called Jyothi) to Lord Srinivasa on Saturdays or during “Thiruvonam” which is promising for Lord Venkateswara.
They believe that Lord Srinivasa has visited their house to bless them with prosperity. Some Companies offer their latest vehicles to the Lord for Dharmic purposes.
Some donate their land or house to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Devotees according to their vow, offer the things according to their wishes.
Many Kings in the olden days offered diamond-studded crowns, and many ornaments too. Lord Venkateswara does not expect anything from his devotees other than pure devotion. But devotees feel blessed when they offer something or the other to the Lord.
Lord Srinivasa accepts whatever the devotee sincerely gives—big or small, and blesses them.
Who else we can approach other than the Lord of Seven Hills for the fulfilment of our desires?
Sri VaikuntaVirakthaya Swami PushkariniTade
RamayaRamamanayaVenkatesaya Mangalam!
