Tirumala Temple Terminology
Tirumala Temple is very ancient and has a unique history. The rituals and traditions of the temple have been followed from time immemorial. Thus the terminology used in the temple is varied and multilingual. They are unchanged even to this day.
These temple terms have a special significance in temple rituals and are regularly used in different places of the temple. They may signify an action, a person, or a procedure. These are very special to this temple and understanding them will increase one’s knowledge about Lord Venkateswara.
Words mentioned below are peculiar to Tirumala temple
The words mentioned below are peculiar to Tirumala temple and are contextually used concerning the temple. Many of these terms have been adapted from different languages, depending upon the rulers of the surrounding area.
It can be seen that the temple terms are in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, or Telugu, and even Marathi, the language of Mahants, who administered the temple for 90 years have brought in several Hindi and Marathi-related words.
- Kainkaryam (Telugu) – ‘Kainkaryam’ denotes a holy service to the Lord.
- Saabooth (Urdu) – Term used by Archakas or priests for ascertaining that everything is in place and correct in the Sanctum.
- Shuddhi (Telugu) – Cleaning up.
- Samarpana (Telugu) – Adornment of precious jewelry, flower garlands, or vastrams to deities.
- Sallimpu viz. Sadalimpu (Telugu) – removal of jewels, flowers, or vastrams to deities.
- Sarkar (Hindi) – Representative of management.
- Hallu – (Telugu-old) – A measure of anna prasadam share belonging to archakas.
- Bokkasam (Telugu) – A room/office where all important documents and details of the temple are stored.
- Sabha Ara / Sabhera – Storage room; room within the temple premises where articles, dravyams, and vessels used for worship in the sanctum are stored; name derived from an ancient administrative body (Sabhaiyar) at the village of Tiruchanur, responsible for maintaining the temple, collecting donations, etc.
- Talighai (Tamil) – Sacred food offerings.
- Madupu (Telugu) – Part of offerings to the Lord, a share of which is given out as a mark of honor to Archakas, Jeeyangars, Acharya purushas or Sarkar as the situation demands.
- Nitya Harathi (Telugu) – A daily offering of Harathi in the sanctum by representatives of ancient Mutts at Tirumala; usually after Saathumorai.
- Ghanta (Telugu) -The continuous ringing of two huge bells during the offering of Naivedyams to the Lord of Seven Hills.
- Thiruveesam ghanta (Telugu) – The last food offering (bell) in Tirumala Srivari Temple.
- Saathumorai (Tamil) – An important Sri Vaishnavite tradition that involves the recital of DivyaPrabandhams every day by Sri Vaishnava Acharyas headed by Jeeyangar Swamis of Tirumala. It is held after the morning worship rituals and the first offering of Naivedyam.
- Sevakalam (Tamil) – Recital of Naalayira Divyaprabandhams.
- Thodakkam (Tamil) – Commencement of recital of Chaturvedams.
- Amool Nama/Amalu Nama (Hindi/Urdu) – An official document that is also a journal that records the sequence of events at Tirumala temple.
- Mashaal (Hindi) / Paunju (Telugu) – Flaming torch, now called Divti in Telugu.
- Inam (Hindi/Urdu) – Gifts or endowments bestowed by the king.
- Ugranam (Telugu) – Store room for provisions and commodities used for making prasadams and for other rituals in the temple.
- Bangaru Darwazamoharu (Hindi/Urdu colloq.) – Official seal of the golden entryway.
- Akhandam/Brahma Akhandam (Sanskrit) – The huge lamps that light the Sanctum.
- Mysura Akhandam (Telugu) – The lamps donated by Mysore Maharaja; the ghee for this second set of lamps was also donated by the then Maharajas of Mysore. Presently Karnataka State Endowments department continues the service.
- Yamunottharai (Tamil) – Flower chamber – The section of the temple where sacred flower garlands to be offered to Srivaru are prepared and kept. Named after Yamunacharya, the guru of Sri Ramanujacharya.
- Ilaakha (Urdu) – Region.
- Parimalam (Telugu) – A mixture of special ingredients such as refined camphor, sandalwood paste, saffron, etc used for the sacred bath (Sukravara Abhisheka) of Dhruvabera, the main deity in the Sanctum.
- Punugukapu or Pulugukappu (Telugu) – Applying civet oil before abhishekam to the main deity, which is a very important ritual that helps in the preservation of the deity. It is called ‘taIlodvartanam’ in Vaikhanasa Agama.
- ParushaJanalu/Grihastas (Telugu) – Pilgrims visiting Tirumala.
- TiruAlavattam (Tamil) – A special hand fan made of makmal cloth for the specific use of fanning the Main Deity in the Sanctum, especially during Thomalaseva and other rituals.
- Parakamani (Telugu) – Counting of currency notes and coins received in the Hundi.
- Ubhayadarlu (Telugu) – Special term used for donors of any rituals.
- Varumbadi (Telugu, old) – Income of the temple gained through arjitha sevas, sale of prasadams, Hundi offerings, etc.
- Kunche Kola (Telugu) – Age-old traditional temple keys used as part of the Agamic procedure.
- Thiruvaabharanam (Telugu) – Jewels adorned to the Main Deity.
- Thiruvaaradhana (Telugu) – A special sequence of worship offered to the Main Deity according to Sri Vaikhanasa Bhagavatcchastram.
- Khaifiyyat (Urdu) – Information.
- Khatth (Hindi) – Representation made to the authorities.
- Teermanam (Telugu) – The closing and conclusion of all rituals of the day in the temple after EkanthaSeva.
- Ghoshti (Tamil) – A conglomeration of well-versed priests chanting Vedic Hymns during occasions and special rituals.
- Paditharam (Telugu) – Prescribed quantities of articles required to make prasadams as required for specific occasions.
- Dittam (Telugu) – List of articles required for rituals and special occasions.
- Sathupadi (Tamil) – Alankaram or adornment of jewels/vastrams to the deity.
- Oodigam (Telugu) – assistance services carried out within the temple.
- Parupattedar (Hindi) – Co-ordinating officer for different rituals.
- Uttara Parupattedar (Hindi) – Assistant to Parupattedar.
- Peishkar (Hindi) – Overall Supervising Officer for all the requirements in Tirumala temple in the very old days.
- Aasthanam (Telugu) – Grand assemblies conducted in the temple on special occasions.
- Koppera (Telugu) – Huge copper vessel used for Hundi – The donation box.
- Mudupu/Kanukalu (Telugu) – Offerings of devotees.
- Sannidhi (Telugu) – Sanctum Sanctorum or Garbhalayam.
- Nirmalyam (Sanskrit) – Flowers/garlands which are removed after adorning the deity/deities.
- Navaneetham (Sanskrit) – Butter offered as Naivedyam in the morning.
- Heccharikai (Telugu/Tamil) – The term is used as a closing announcement when a ritual concludes.
- Bahumanam (Telugu) – Officially Honoring the participating priests in special rituals.
- Thiruveedhi Utsavam (Telugu) – Procession of temple deities around the four mada streets surrounding the temple.
- Thirucchi (Tamil) – Gold-plated palanquin used for taking the deities on a procession.
