Weekly Sevas – Vaarotsavas – Tirupati Balaji Temple

Vaarotsavas – Weekly Services / Weekly Sevas

A few services are rendered to Lord Sri Venkateshwara as Vaarotsavas once a week without fail.

Every day is a festival day in Tirumala. On each specific day, the Lord of Lords blesses His devotees in a specific ritual during the weekdays. These rituals are categorized as weekly pujas. A limited number of Devotees is allowed to take part in these weekly sevas on the issuance of a limited number of tickets.

Let us learn about some of the sevas conducted on different days of the week.

Monday – Visesha Puja (Special Worship)

There is mainly a Vishesha Puja (Special worship) every Monday at 6 am. It is conducted for Sri Malayappa Swamy along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi in the Kalyana Mantapam (Marriage Pandal) of Sampangi Circumambulation. This seva offered every Monday commenced on April 8, 1991, and later became an arjitha seva (paid service).

After the second archana and second naivedyam in the Lord’s temple, Sri Malayappa Swami is taken to the Kalyana Mantapam with His consorts. After completion of Homas as per the Vaikhanasa Shastra, Tirumanjanam/Snapana (Oblution) is conducted for the Lord. The participants are given tirtha (holy water of the Lord) and prasadams.

Vishesha Puja Timings and Cost – Click here

Tuesday – Ashtadala Paada Padmaaraadhana

(Worship of the lord’s feet with Golden Lotuses)

The main deity is offered the Ashtadala Paada Padmaaraadhana service as the second archana every Tuesday at 6 am with 108 golden lotuses. This takes place for about 20 minutes.

Ashtadala Paada Padmaaraadhana - Weekly Sevas on Tuesdays

It is interesting to note that a Muslim devotee from Hyderabad donated the required 108 golden lotuses to the Lord. It is now offered as a paid service. It is a feast to the eyes of the devotees.

Ashtadala Paada Padmaaraadhana Timings and Cost – Click here

Wednesday – Sahasra Kalashabhishekam (Oblution with 1000 Vessels)

Sahasra Kalashabhishekam is an important seva that takes place every Wednesday before the Golden Entrance. This is done to Sri Malayappa Swamy along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi and Vishwaksena, the Chief Commander of the Lord. There is evidence to suggest that this has been taking place since 1511 AD or even earlier.

Vishvaksena - Supreme commander
Vishwaksena, the Chief Commander of the Lord.

Only paid visitors can participate in the seva which takes place before the Golden Entrance. Later, they will be offered the darshan of the main deity and prasadams. It is believed that the participants will be cleansed of all the thousand types of sins.

Sahasra Kalashabhishekam Timings and Cost – Click here

Thursday – Tiruppavada Seva / Netra Darshanam (Sight of Lord’s Eyes)

The food offered every Thursday after the second archana is called Tiruppavada Seva or Annakoototsavam.

At 6 a.m. every Thursday, the main deity is stripped of all the ornaments. The namam (upright mark) of the Lord on His forehead is reduced in size to have a clear vision of the Lord’s Eyes.

Later, a big heap of tamarind rice (pulihora), jilebies and murukus is laid before the Lord at the Golden Entrance. It is decorated with flowers and offered directly to the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum. Vedic scholars recite the Vedas as well as Srinivasa Gadya (prose). Only paid visitors can participate in this service.

Tiruppavada Seva

Later, all the devotees get the opportunity to see Tiruppavada Seva as well as Netra Darshana (the sight of the Lord’s Eyes). It is said that those who pay for the seva are purged of all their lapses related to food and get plenty of food down the generations.

Tiruppavada Seva Timings and Cost – Click here

Poolangi Seva – Garlanding Service

Tomala Seva which takes place every Thursday in the evening is called Poolangi Seva (Garlanding Service). This takes place completely in solitude. Priests adorn the main deity from head to foot with the flowers brought by the Jiyyangars. The Lord appears as though he has worn a flower dress.

The visitors are enraptured by the sight of the Lord in Poolangi Seva emitting fragrance. The sight, it is said, burns all your sins and scents of the past lives.

Poolangi Seva Seva Timings and Cost – Click here

Friday – Abhishekam (Ablutions)

The ablutions that take place to the main deity of Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy at 5 o’clock early in the morning on Friday is called Shukravaraabhishekam. It is said that this practice has been there since 614 AD. Bhagavad Ramanuja, it appears, offered Abhisheka on the occasion of instituting the golden Alamelu Manga image on the chest of the Lord. Abhishekam is done with the sacred waters of Akasha Ganga along with spices like civet, saffron and camphor for about an hour.

Abhishekam / Shukravaraabhishekam - Weekly Sevas

Later, Abhishekam is done with turmeric for Maha Lakshmi situated on the chest of the Lord. It is only during the Abhishekam that the devotees can see the original figure of Lord Srinivasa who manifested Himself for the sake of people in Kali Yuga at the instance of Brahma and other angels.

Later, Abhishekam is conducted for the golden Alumelu Manga clinging to the neck of the Lord. The devotees are greatly attracted to the seva. The Abhisheka Darshana comes to an end with the sprinkling of holy abhisheka water on the devotees which cleanses them from all sins and endows them with health and wealth.

Abhishekam Timings and Cost – Click here

Nija Pada Darshanam (Vision of the Holy Feet)

After the couples have a glimpse of the Lord at the end of Abhisheka starts the Nija Pada Darshanam (the sight of the feet of the Lord). The paid devotees can participate in this seva and see the Holy Feet of the Lord without any covering. This is the only seva in which one can see the feet of the Lord.

Nija Pada Darshanam - Weekly Sevas

At all other times, the feet of the Lord shine with golden coverings. According to the Puranas, the sight of the Lord’s feet purges the devotees of all their sins.

To know more about how to avail of Srivari Arjitha Seva Tickets please visit  https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in

Note: Images are from the Replica of Tirumala Temple (photography is strictly prohibited inside Tirumala Temple)

Potu (kitchen Hall) – Inside Tirupati Balaji Temple

Kitchen Hall (Potu) Inside Tirumala Temple

‘Potu’ according to temple traditions gives the meaning of kitchen hall or room. Here tasty delicious sweets are prepared.

When we come out of the golden door, after having the darshan of ‘Pratyaksha Daivam’ i.e., God visible to the naked eye, we will be entering the premises of Vimana Pradakshana path. Right opposite to us we will find the main kitchen hall where all the offerings meant for God are prepared.

Now let us try to know about Vakula Matha who supervises all the preparations.

Exactly towards the southeast direction of Sanctum Sanctorium on the Vimana circumambulation path on the three-foot high platform, there is a pillared structure. It is a 61 x 30 feet structure. It is here right from time immemorial all the offerings meant for Lord Venkateswara are being prepared.

Potu (kitchen Hall) - Inside Tirupati Balaji Temple / Sketch of Sri Vari Temple
44 – Potu (kitchen Hall) – Inside Tirupati Balaji Temple

Since the temple images cannot be shown, given is the layout for reference

This is the only kitchen the temple had. Taking into consideration the ever-growing number of devotees, they have very recently converted the existing Mandapam which is north of Sampangi Pradakshana path as a new kitchen hall. The old kitchen hall is now being used as a store room cum distribution hall for Lord’s prasadams. Now all sweets and savouries are prepared in the New kitchen hall.

Precious Jewels and Offerings

Two things are attracting the pilgrims to Tirumala temple.

  1. People are enamoured when they see costly and precious jewels and ornaments that adore the Lord.
  2. The second best thing is the offerings that are offered to Lord Venkateswara.

Nowhere in the world one can see such glittering costly jewellery, ornaments and delicious offerings. These things are as they say in Sanskrit ‘Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyathi’, never before and never never in future. This ultimately proves that Lord Venkateswara loves to be adorned by jewellery and loves to have a delicious variety of eatables as Naivedyam. He will be more happy when devotees eat offerings to God as prasadam.

Food Offerings or Naivedyam, Tirumala

The great Annamacharya in one of his keerthanas has praised the Lord’s love for Naivedyams. Similarly, an unknown poet has praised the Lord’s love for eating. Tenali Rama Krishna who is known for his ready wit and humour calls him ‘A good eater’.

Thomani Pallalu

There is one more speciality of Lord Venkateswara. Every day He uses new plates. That is why they say ‘Thomani Pallalu’ (No washing of plates, i.e., use and throw plates). The offerings are offered to Him in broken clay cullets. He loves to eat in those broken clay cullets only. He accepts the offerings and returns them to His devotees so that they can heartily relish them.

Gamaykarlu

So many emperors, kings, zamindars and rich as well as poor people have donated their mites. Yet He prefers to eat in clay cullets. In the olden days cooks, by the name ‘Gamaykarlu’ used to cook the offerings in clay pots by using firewood. Slowly they have introduced brass vessels.

Now in the place of firewood to prepare the Naivedyams, they have started using Gas cylinders. The cooks in a very very piously hygienic way prepare the offerings. These cooks are blessed beings. Even Mother Kousalya and Devaki would not have offered food to Rama and Krishna after themselves preparing them.

Lord Venkateswara is relishing cooked food. How fortunate all beings are.

Food Offerings to Deities

Daily thrice offerings are offered to Lord Venkateswara. Before they are offered to Lord Venkateswara they are first offered to Sri Varaha Swamy. The preparations prepared in the kitchen are traditionally taken to Sri Varaha Swamy i.e., with umbrellas, fans, and piped music.

Vimana Pradakshana Deities

After offering the preparations to Varaha Swamy, they are offered to Lord Venkateswara and the other Utsav Moorthies. After that, they are offered to deities of Vimana Pradakshana path like

  • Dwara Palakas,
  • Garuda Alwar,
  • Varada Raja Swamy,
  • Vakula Matha,
  • Yoga Narasimha Swamy,
  • Vishwaksena,
  • Bhashyakaras etc.,

Then the ‘Bali is offered to the presiding deities of all the eight directions. With this, the Naivedyam programme comes to an end. Nivedana Ananthara Nivedana is offered to Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy. He dwells in a Temple which is in the Sannidhi street, right opposite to the main temple.

Nivedanas – Offerings

Everyday morning during Suprabhatam time priests offer Butter, milk and sugar to Lord Venkateswara. In Dwapara Yuga it is said Mother Yashoda used to give butter balls to her son Krishna. Maybe that tradition is being continued even in this Kaliyuga.

After Suprabhatam Lord Venkateswara’s court will be organized with great pomp and show. Lord Venkateswara majestically arrives in the court. He will be received with all honours. Then the Panchanga Sravanam will take place i.e., Thithi, Vara, Nakshatra etc., are recited. Then the audit report will be presented to Him, giving full details about income as well as expenditure.

After this Lord will be given roasted gingly powder mixed with Jaggery. This particular item is very dear to Lord Sani. To please him Lord Venkateswara will have it every day. Whoever worships Lord Venkateswara, particularly on Saturdays will be free from the ill effects of Lord Sani, the Saturn.

First Hour Offerings

After the court, the priests will chant the Lord’s 1000 names, which is known as Sahasra Nama Archana. Soon after completing the chanting of 1000 names, Offerings like pulihora i.e., Masala Tamarind Rice, Pongal, Curd Rice, Sweet Pongal, Laddus, Vada’s, Appams etc., are offered. But these things are not taken very near to Him. They will be kept outside Kula Sekhara Padi.

Meanwhile, the chief cook will carry only curd rice known as ‘Matra’ that too in a clay cullet and offer it to Lord Venkateswara.

Except for the curd rice with thick cream, nothing is directly offered to Lord Venkateswara. The rest of the things mentioned above are offered from the other side of Threshold. Even this, i.e., Lord Venkateswara relishing only curd rice, dates back to Dwapara Yuga Tradition. This will once again remind us of the fact that there is no difference between Lord Krishna of Dwapara Yuga and Lord Venkateswara of Kaliyuga.

Second Hour Offerings

In the afternoon, after Ashtothara Satanama Archana i.e., chanting 108 sacred names of Lord Venkateswara, the offerings meant for the afternoon i.e., second-hour offerings will be kept ready in the kitchen. In addition to the dishes or items mentioned above items like Suddaannam, Seera i.e., sweet upma and savoury upma, kheer, kesari bath, milk rice, kadambam i.e., mixture etc., are also offered to Him. He relishes these things very much.

Third Hour Offerings

After the second hour offerings, Sri Malayappa Swamy with Bhoo Devi and Sri Devi gets ready for Nitya (daily) Kalyana Utsavam (marriage ceremony). Soon after kalyana Utsavam items like laddus, vadas, appams, dosas, sweet pongal, pulihora, savoury pongal, curd rice etc., are offered.

Kalyanotsavam - Tirumala Temple

Immediately after Kalyana Utsavam to please those devotees who would have bought Vasanta Utsavam tickets, the Lord will participate in the Vasantha Utsavam. During Vasantha Utsavam Lord Malayappa will be offered Dosas. From there Lord Malyappa i.e., Utsava Moorthy of Lord Venkateswara will proceed to Mandapam of Mirrors to participate in Dolotsavam i.e., swing cot ceremony.

There he is offered pancha kajjayam i.e., powder of sugar, poppy seeds sugar candy, dry grapes, chashew nuts, almond, dry coconut etc., same thing is offered to Lord even after Sahasra Deepa Alankara Seva. The aforesaid powder will also be prepared only by the kitchen staff.

Offerings – Thomala Seva

In the evening in solitude, Thomala Seva (worship with flowers) is offered to the Chief Idol. Soon after Thomala Seva big-sized Ghee Dosas known as Thomala Dosa Padi, Molahaara, kadambam etc., are offered.

After Ashtottara Satanama Archana the third hour offerings are offered in the night. Even the items mentioned above are offered.

Tiruveesam – Hour offerings

Finally during ‘Tiruveesam’ hour to Lord Venkateswara sweet pongal is specially offered.

At the time of Ekantha Seva i.e., bedtime service He is offered lukewarm milk with added sugar, fruits and pancha kajjayam along with meva, as a kind of sweet liquid.

Along with the first hour, second hour, third hour and tiruveesam hour, every Monday they perform a special pooja to Malayappa Swamy. At that time big sized vadas, laddus and other preparations are offered. On every Wednesday Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam is offered near the golden door. At that time along with usual routine items even milk rice (ksheeraannam) is also offered.

Offerings – Tiruppavada Seva

Every Thursday worship by the name ‘Tiruppavada’ takes place. On that occasion, they prepare 420 kilos of pulihora i.e., masala tamarind rice.

Tiruppavada Seva
Tiruppavada Seva

The heap of this rice will face the Chief Idol near the golden door. From this point itself, the heap is offered to Lord Venkateswara. They also offer giant-size Jelebis and Tengulam (a deep-fried savoury).

On Fridays, God is offered Polees (a sweet chapati) and Sukhiyas (sweet).

Every Sunday the Sunday prasadam by the name ‘Chalipindi’ is offered to Him. This is also known as ‘Amruta Kalasam’. The same will be offered to Garuda Alwar after offering that to Lord Venkateswara.

On festive days like Vaikunta Ekadasi day Swamy Varu i.e., Lord Venkateswara relishes Dosas and boiled chana i.e., Bengal Gram. In addition to this Lord Venkateswara soaked Green gram, and Panakam (Jaggery mixed water) are also offered. In Dhanurmasam (Dec- Jan) Dosas prepared with Jaggery are specially offered.

Offerings during Special days

On some special festive days, Lord Venkateswara likes to have Kheer, Kesari Bath, Saakari bath, Bakalabath etc. Special offerings will be offered on Ugadi day, Deepavali day, during Brahmothsavam, processions, Paruveta etc.

Different varieties of prasadams are prepared in the temple kitchen hall. The cooks know the exact items to be prepared to suit the worship. They know the timings so well that at the appointed time, at the appointed place, appointed items are prepared and offered to the Lord.

When these preparations are being prepared Vakula Matha sitting on a platform supervises the preparations. Vakula Matha is considered to be Lord Venkateswara’s mother.

Nowhere in the world offerings are prepared in such a large quantity. All the preparations are made out of pure ghee. One day’s Ghee residule it is said will be quite sufficient for one year to prepare prasadam in other temples. Annamaiah has praised the preparations prepared in the temple.

Tindi Mendaiah

Lord Venkateswara is known as ‘Tindi Mendaiah’ (who eats a variety of dishes) Naivedya Priya and Thomani pallalavadu i.e., everyday new vessels will be used.

5 Idols of Tirupati Balaji – Pancha Berams

Pancha Berams of Tirupati Balaji

Lord SRINIVASA is

  • the heavenly Wishing Tree (kalpa taruvu) to those who yearn for Him,
  • gold to those who hold his hand,
  • advance honorarium to those who worship Him,
  • a diamond on hand to those who serve Him,
  • the Ultimate God to those who conceive of Him,
  • fulfiller of desires and an unforgettable God,
  • a form of ananda to those who are lost in his praise,
  • a miraculous doctor who gives issues even to the barren,
  • a resident of Ananda Nilaya and
  • a saviour to the grief-stricken.

Tirumala Temple

Utsavams / Sevas

That is why, the devotees continuously stream to Tirumala hills for a glimpse of the Lord who is like gold in the fist. Some choose to participate in the early morning ‘Waking up Service’ (Suprabhata Seva) of the Lord, and offer worship (Archana) and naivedyam (food).

Some participate in the daily ritual of the Lord’s marriage to witness the glory. (Kalyanotsavam)

Some participate in Poolangi Seva (Garlanding Service) and Tiruppavada Seva (offering of huge heaps of tamarind rice and other prasadas to the main deity as a veil between the deity and the devotees on Thursday), while some others participate in Abhisheka Darshan (ablutions) of the Lord on Friday and go into raptures.

Tiruppavada Seva - Tirupati Balaji Temple

Thus devotees participate in kalyanotsavas, Brahmotsavas, Vasanthotsavas and other ceremonies to receive the grace of the Lord.

In this context, the devotees, however, get a genuine doubt. Is the deity of Lord Srinivasa the same in all these utsavas or different? If different, how many deities are there? How distinctly are the services offered to each of them? Let us look into the details to dispel these doubts, to some extent.

The self-manifested deity of Lord Sri Venkateshwara in Tirumala shrine receives rituals of worship and offerings as per the most ancient Vaikhanasa Agama. Devotees attribute to God whatever is relevant to them and follow a prescribed method of worship (Upasana). That is why, we conduct services of bathing (abhishekam), worship (archana), feeding (naivedyam), the procession (ooregimpu), going to bed (Panpu seva), etc. to God.

Pancha Berams (Beram means an idol or deity)

Since the presiding deity is stationary, we can’t offer all the services, especially taking it in a procession or laying it in bed. Hence, the Agama science has allowed five kinds deities (Pancha Beras) for this purpose.

They are

  1. Dhruva Beram (Presiding Deity),
  2. Kautuka Beram (Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy used for daily worship),
  3. Snapana Beram (Sri Ugra Srinivasa Murthy used for ablutions),
  4. Bali Beram (Sri Koluvu Srinivasa Murthy, the supervising deity for offering oblation to the secondary gods and goddesses of the temple, and
  5. Utsava Beram (Sri Malayappa Swamy, the Processional Deity).

The five-idol system of the Vaikhanasa Agama is followed in the Tirumala shrine. Utsavas are performed for different idols here.

DHRUVA BERAM

The presiding deity or main deity is also termed mula virat, dhruva murthy, or mula beram. This idol of Salagrama stone is a self-manifestation of the Lord wearing a disc and conch in the sanctum sanctorum of Ananda Nilayam. It is about 8 feet high. There will be mainly tomala seva (garlanding service) twice and archana (brief worship) and naivedyam (food) thrice for this deity.

Pancha Beram - Dhruva Beram

Devotees queue up to see this deity every day.

Every Tuesday as part of the second archana, this main deity with Sri Maha Lakshmi on his chest is offered Ashtadala Pada Padmaaraadhana with 108 gold lotuses. Every Thursday there will be Tiruppavada seva and Netra darshana (glimpse of Lord’s eyes) in the morning, and Poolangi seva (garlanding service) in the evening. In the early hours of every Friday, there will be Abhishekam (bathing with holy waters) to this deity with spices.

Click here to learn more about DHRUVA Beram.

KAUTUKA BERAM

This deity is called Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy or Manavalapperumal. The deity with four hands and disc and conch is a small replica of the main deity by all means. It appears this silver idol of 1.5 feet high was presented by Pallava Queen Samavai in 614 AD. It is always kept at the feet of the main deity of Lord Venkateshwara.

Bhoga Srinivasa murthy or Kautuka Beram

It is bathed with the holy waters of Akasha Ganga every day and with one thousand and eight silver vessels (Sahsra Kalashabhishekam) before the golden entrance every Wednesday morning. There will be Ekantha Seva or Pavalimpu Seva (Going to bed in privacy) every night for the deity. During Dhanurmasa (period of Tiruppavai vratham of Andaal), however, the deity is replaced with that of Lord Krishna with butter in his hand for this seva.

BALI BERAM

This idol is known as Koluvu Srinivasa Murthy or Lekhana Srinivasa Murthy. It is made of five precious metals and resembles the silver idol of Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy. A court (Koluvu) is held in the Snapana Mandapam on the golden throne supported by sculptured lions every day after Tomala Seva before the Archana.

Srinivasa Koluvu Seva

In this court, Koluvu Srinivasa Murthy is offered royal felicitations with chatra (the royal umbrella) and chamara (a fly-flap) befitting an emperor. The particulars of tithi (the number of the day in a month), vaara (weekday) and nakshatra (the presiding star) of the day are read from the Hindu Calendar (Panchanga Shravanam) along with the income and expenditure statement of the earlier day to this deity.

Koluvu Srinivasa Murthy is the supervising authority of the temple’s income and expenditure.

SNAPANA BERAM / Ugra Srinivasa Murthy

The Snapana Beram is also known as Ugra Srinivasa Murthy, Venkatatturaivar or Snapana Murthy. It is 25 inches high. The idols of Ugra Srinivasa Murthy along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are made of five precious metals.

Ugra Srinivasa Murthy

They were used for the utsavas in the past. This practice was dispensed with in the 14th century as some untoward incidents occurred in one of the Brahmotsavas. On Kaisika Dwadasi however, the procession of this deity is taken out from the temple early in the morning which ends much before sunrise.

UTSAVA BERAM

It is known as Malayappa Swamy or Utsava Srinivasa Murthy. There is a reference to it in 1339 AD.

This deity appears to the devotees in all the utsavas held outside the temple such as

  • Nityotsavas (daily ceremonies),
  • Varotsavas (weekly ceremonies),
  • Masotsavas (monthly ceremonies) and
  • Varshikotsavas (annual ceremonies).

It is also made of five precious metals and its height is about 30 inches. Since the idol was found in the Malayappa kona (a recess of Malayappa hill), it is called Malayappa Swami.

Utsava Murthy - Suprabhatam - Sri Malayappa Swamy

Besides the above idols, there are many other idols in the Ananda Nilayam such as –

  • Sri Sudarshana Chakrattalwar,
  • Sri Sita, Rama and Laxmana,
  • Sri Rukmini and Sri Krishna,
  • the retinue of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy such as
    • (a) Anantha,
    • (b) Vishwaksena
    • (c) Garuthmantha, and
  • the retinue of Sri Rama, viz –
    • (a) Sugreeva,
    • (b) Angada,
    • (c) Ajnapalaka Anjaneya Swami, etc.

A few utsavas are conducted for these idols also.