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ToggleAnanda Nilayam - Sanctum Sanctorum
The spot where Lord Sri Venkateswara’s self-inducted statue is located in the Sanctum Sanctorum is called Ananda Nilayam. Earlier there used to be a Pradakshina (circumambulation) passage around this Ananda Nilayam.
A wall was built around this sanctum and the Vimanam in between 1244 A.D. – 1250 A.D. Over a period of time, with the construction of Ananda Nilayam, Sayana Mandapam and Lord Rama’s Mansion, this passage around the Sanctum was closed
Ananda Nialayam - Divine Magical House - Abode of Happiness
‘Ananda Nilayudu’, a synonym for Lord Venkateswara, evokes pious feelings among the devotees.
His abode ‘Ananda Nilayam’ is the golden wonder in Tirumala hills, gleaming in the morning sunshine and radiating divinity far and wide. In that divine edifice, is the imposing idol of the Lord – recital of His countless names, His sevas, alankaras, festivities, rituals ……the list is unending and beyond words … even for Brahma! Let us know some of these and obtain His Grace!!
The visage of the Lord is imposing, beautiful, delicately carved, and enticing. His love for the devotees is such that He left Vaikunta and descended on the Seven Hills as Saligram with Adi Lakshmi on his bosom, and derived the name ‘Srinivasa’. (One who lives with Lakshmi)
Lord Adisesha into Seven Hills
According to Puranas, the name of the son of Meru Mountain is Ananda. As a part of competition, Lord Adisesha himself surrounded the Ananda Mountain.
Lord Vayu blew both the Ananda Mountain and Lord Adisesha with His might. As a result, the mountain fell on the banks of the river Swarna mukhi and Adisesha was transformed into Seven Seshachala Hills.
As Ananda is residing on the Seven Hills, it became 'Ananda Nilayam'.
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.
