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ToggleTypes of Alankarams - Decorating Main Shrine
In Tirumala temple, Lord is giving three, types of Alankarams. They are
- ‘NITYAKATLA SAMARPANA’ or ‘SADA SAMARPANA’,
- ‘VISESHA SAMARPANA’ and
- ‘VISESHA SAMARPANA WITH SWARNA PEETHAMBARAM’.
Since Srivari Mulavirat is offered with Abhishekam once a week every Friday, the Alankaram performed every Friday will stay on Lord till the following Thursday. On every Thursday, all the jewels are removed and the Namam of Mulavirat is made thin.
This is called ‘SALLIMPU’ in temple terminology. Sallimpu of Jewels is performed as a preparatory ritual for Friday’s Abhishekam.
Nityakatla Samarpana
Srivaru is adorned with ‘NITYAKATLA SAMARPANA’ when there are no festive occasions in the following week. Plain gold ornaments are used to perform Alankaram in this Nityakatla Samarpana.
Visesha Samarpana
Alankaram of Lord on festive occasions is performed during all yearly rituals like
- Jyeshtabhishekam,
- Pavitrotsavam,
- Pushpayagam,
- Rathasaptami,
- Teppotsavam,
- Pournami Garuda Seva etc. in this Alankaram.
Visesha Samarpana with Swarna Peethambaram
In this Visesha Samarpana, Srivari Mulavirat decorates with Diamond studded ornaments like the Crown, coverings for Sudarsana and Panchajanya, coverings for Vaikunta Hasta (right lower hand) and Kati Hasta (left lower hand).
The rest of the ornaments are of plain gold.
Four festivals such as
- Ugadi Asthanam,
- Anivara Asthanam, (also check - importance of Anivara Asthanam)
- Brahmotsavams and
- Vaikunta Ekadasi
are very important and hence during these festive occasions, Visesha Samarpana with Swarna Peethambaram is adorned to Srivaru.
In this Alankaram, Srivari Mulavirat is splendidly decorated with a Diamond Crown, Diamond Studded Coverings for Sankha, Chakra, Vaikunta Hasta, Kati Hasta, Ear Rings, Kantabharanam, Makarakanti are adorned.
