Lord Srinivasa is worshipped as Lord Krishna
During the auspicious month of Dhanurmasam, special rituals are offered to Lord Srinivasa at Tirumala Hill Shrine. For the entire 30 days of Dhanurmasam, Lord Srinivasa is worshipped as Lord Krishna.
Silent Thomala Seva
During the commencement of Dhanurmasam, at the specified time, Srivaru is offered with special Thomala Seva without Seva Kalam by Jeeyar Ghoshti (without reciting any pasurams from Divya Prabhandam unlike normal days). This is also called ‘Mooga Thomala (Silent Thomala)’.
This is because it is at this time, Lord Vishnu wakes – up and this time is Brahmi -Muhurtha for Devathas. The most prominent change in rituals is, Suprabhatha Seva, which is the first ritual of the day, and is performed by reciting verses from Sri Andal’s ‘Tiruppavai’.
While the Srivaishnava Adhyapakas lead by PeddaJeeyar swami, recite verses from Tiruppavai and Sri Tondaradipodi Alwar ’s ‘Tirupallieluchi’, the Vaikhanasa Archaka Swami performs all the rituals connected to pratyushakaalam to the Dhruva Beram.
Sevas with Bilva & Tulasi Leaves
After the above ritual, Dhanurmasa Aradhana, comprising of Thomala Seva, Sahasranama Archana with Bilva leaves, Dhanurmasa Naivedyam, Sathumora are performed.
This is followed by a regular sequence of worship known as ‘Pratahkala Aradhana’, in which regular Thomala Seva, Koluvu, Sahasranama Aradhana with Tulasi leaves, First Bell, Bali, and Sathumora are conducted.
During Sahasranamarchana, Srivari Dhruva Beram is worshipped with Tulasi leaves amidst a recital of 1008 names, for all 11 months in a year except during the 30 days of Dhanurmasa.
In this Margasira month, during Sahasranama Archana as part of Dhanurmasa Aradhana, Srivaru is offered Archana with Bilva leaves. The Lord of Vengadam Hill is Lord Srinivasa and his consort is Goddess Lakshmi Devi, she is known as ‘Bilvavan Alaya’.
And She is praised in Lakshmi chaturvimsati Naamaavali – the 24 auspicious names of Goddess Lakshmi from Varaha Purana as
“namo bilvavanasth Ayaivish Nupatnyainamo namaha ||”.
Once Indra and other Devas last Swargaloka to Asuras. They then worshipped Lakshmi with 24 names. She was happy with their worship and conferred swargaloka(heaven), and also said
tEmAmanEnastOtrEnastutvAsthAnamavApnuyu: |
aKhanDai: bilvapatrairmAmarchayantinarAbhuvi || (Varaha Purana)
Bilva Leaves – Greatness
Those who worship me with the auspicious bilva leaves, will be conferred their lost place along with immense wealth by my grace. And hence in Tirumala, it is rightfully followed by worshipping Lord Venkateswara, who is holding Goddess Lakshmi on his right bosom, with bilva leaves.
Also, Vaikhanasa Bhrighu Samhita states that –
nandyAvartam cha padmam cha tulasIvishNuparNikA |
bilvam cha karavIram chapadmamkumudamEvacha |
ashTavaipunyapushpANigrAhyANituyathAkramam ||
- The eight types of auspicious flowers that are suggested by Vaikhanasa Bhrighu Samhita used in worshipping Lord Vishnu are – Nandivardhanam ( Jasmine),
- Padmam (Lotus),
- Tulasi (Basil),
- Vishnu Parnika (Orania),
- Bilvam (leaves of wood apple),
- Ganneru (oleander),
- Kumudam (Red Lotus),
- Bilva (Belpatra), and
- Metta Tamara.
And hence in Tirumala, it’s an age-old custom to use Bilvapatram during Dhanurmasa, along with other types of flowers.
End of Dhanurmasa Aradhana(Worship)
At the end of Dhanurmasa Aradhana, Srivari Mulavirat is adorned with flower garlands and there will be no separate adornment of flowers in the regular Thomala Seva.
Also, two specially made parrots with leaves, one from Srivilliputtur Andal Sannidhi is adorned on the left bosom of Srivaru, and another one provided by the TTD garden department is also adorned on the left side near Shankham.
Also, a diamond-studded parrot is adorned on the right bosom of Srivaru throughout Dhanurmasam.
