Table of Contents
ToggleVimana Venkateswara Swamy
Of all the idols in Anandanilayam, the special darshan of one idol is Vimana Venkateswara Swamy. The Kannadigas eulogized swami on many occasions.
History says when Vysaraya was performing kanikarya to tirumalesa, He reinstalled Vimana Venkateswara swamy.
“Salutations to the golden tower where Vimana Sreenivasa Devara” is installed, Vijaya dasulu eulogized swmi (‘Hema gopuradi vimana srinivasa Devaranu nodi namisi’)
Prasanna Venkatapatidasulu said the same verse, and praised swami. Swami is seated along with the other angles in the presence of Bhuvarahaswami.
The devotees are of the opinion that darshan of this murthy is equivalent to the darshan of Mula Murthy/Prime deity, the destroyer of sins and the auspicious deity.
Anandanilaya was built by Tondaman the emperor. Srinivasa installed on the top of Vimana is none other than Bhagawan Harih.
VIMANA PRADAKSHINAM
Beyond the silver door, the path which circumambulates the main gopura of Ananda Nilaya is known as ‘Vimana Pradakshina’. Early, at the pre-dawn hour, while Suprabhata seva is performed to the Lord, devotees make Anga Pradakshina (rolling one’s body in humility all around the temple as a religious vow). Hence, it is also called Angapradakshina marg.
In this pathway one can witness Sri Ranganadha just opposite the silver entrance, Sri Varadaraja Swami temple, main kitchen, golden well, Ankurarpana Mandapam, Yagasala, Nanala (coins) Parakamani, Notla (Paper notes) Parkamani, Almyrah of Sandal Sreeranganathudu Vendi Vakili paste (Chandanapu ara) darshan of Vimana Venkateswara, cell of records, Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu - the seat of Sri Ramanuja, the temple of Yoganarasimhaswami, Lords’s hundi and the seat of Vishvaksena.
All the small temples in this pathway are called ‘Chutttu Gullu’(Sub-shrines encircling the main shrine).
Sankranti Celebrations
Kaka Bali is a special ritual conducted on Kanuma day in Tirumala. In the wee hours of this day, as per the Vaikhanasa Agama, the archakas mix turmeric and vermillion separately in cooked rice and offer it to Ananda Nilaya Vimana Venkateswara.
Lord Malayappa Swamy and Lord Sri Krishna will be taken in a procession to the Paruveta Mandapam in Seshachalam forests. A mock hunt called Paruveta Utsavam is enacted by the temple priests.
Lord wears five celestial weapons in the form of Panchayudha Murthi (Lord with five weapons). The Jeeyars ceremoniously carry the Andal Goda Devi garlands to the Tirumala temple where they offer to the Lord. These garlands are considered as the presentation of Godadevi as a part of Goda Parnayotsavam to the main deity.
