Daily Sevas and Description
Sevas performed for the Main Deity in Tirumala:
Suprabhatam
Tomala Seva
Archana Seva
Ekanta Seva
Sevas performed for the Utsava Murthi:
Kalyanotsavam
Arjitha Brahmotsavam
Dolotsavam (Unjal Seva)
Arjita Vasanthotsavam
Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva
Suprabhatam
‘Suprabhatam’ is the first and foremost pre-dawn seva performed in the temple of Lord Venkateswara. This ritual is performed at Sayana Mandapam inside sanctum sanctorum to wake up the Lord from His celestial sleep, amidst the rhythmic chanting of vedic hymns. Every day in the early hours acharyapurushas recite the hymns beginning with ‘Kausalya Supraja Rama Purva Sandhya Pravarthathe’ in front of the main deity at Bangaru Vakili, while on the other hand, a descendant of Tallapaka Annamacharya sings some songs penned by the great saint poet in praise of Lord Venkateswara at the first corridor of the sanctum sanctorum at the same time.
‘Suprabhatam’ is a Sanskrit term which literally means “Good Morning”. This particular hymn consists of four parts including Suprabhatam, Stotram, Prapatti and Mangalasasanam
Suprabhatam-It means awakening Lord from His divine sleep and it consists of 29 slokas.
Stotram-These are the hymns in praise of Lord, consisting 11 slokas.
Prapatti-Meaning total surrender to Lord and it has 16 stanzas.
Mangalasasanam-It is the prayer sung in the glory of Lord consisting 14 stanzas
Thus, Suprabhatam, composed by Prativadi Bhayankara Annan, a disciple of the celebrated Vaishnava Preceptor, Manavala Mamuni consists of a total 70 slokas.
This arjitha seva is performed before the Bangaru Vakili, after which the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy(silver replica of the main deity and is also known as “Dhruva Beram”) who was laid to bed in the “Sayana Mantapa” is shifted back to “Garbha Griha” to commence His activities for the day. Archakas, jeeyangars, temple authorities and the Grihastha pilgrims who purchase tickets for Suprabhatam’, worship the Lord during this early morning seva and feel immense solace with the first glimpse of His Divine Charm that which cannot be described in mere words.
Immediately after completing the ‘Suprabhatam’, Bangaru Vakili is kept open. The ritual lasts for over 30 minutes. (Suprabhata seva will not be performed in Dhanurmasa. Instead, ‘Tiruppavai’ is recited during this time.) The worship of Lord Venkateswara during Suprabhatam is considered highly meritorious. ‘Suprabhata seva, tickets can be booked in advance.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Suprabhatam (with lyrics and meaning in English)
Reporting Time: 2:00 AM
Seva Time: 2:30 AM
Day of Seva Performed: Daily
Price of a ticket (INR): 120.00
No.of Persons allowed: One
Prasadam / Bahumanam: 2 small laddus
Note : Children below 10 years are not allowed
Suprabhatam stanzas, translation and audio
Thomala Seva:
The word “Thomala” means a garland of flowers. Hence this arjitha seva assumes importance of decorating the presiding deity with exquisitely tied colourful floral and Tulasi garlands after awakening Him from celestial sleep with Suprabhata Seva.
This arjitha seva is intended to call the special attention of the pilgrim grihasta who takes part paying requisite amount to witness the flower decoration of the “Mula Virat”(main deity)which takes place at the end of the puja.
Known as “Thodutha Malai” in Tamil, the flower garlands in Yamunathurai are brought by the Periya Jiyar-the chief pontiff of Tirumala temple as per the traditional custom or by his Ekangi (disciple) in the temple, with a lighted torch in a procession to the rhythmic beat of Jeganta (handy bells)to the temple.
The flower garlands are made into several pieces and each piece being of a particular size is adorned in the respective areas to enhance the Divine Beauty of Lord in a spectacular manner. This seva lasts for about 30 minutes. This arjitha seva is performed only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays while in Ekantam (pilgrims are not allowed) during the rest of the week.
THOMALA SEVA DETAILS FOR GRIHASTAS:
Reporting Time: 3:00 AM
Seva Time: 3:30 AM
Day of Seva Performed: Tue-Wed-Thu
Price of a Ticket (INR): 220.00
No.of Persons allowed: One
Prasadam / Bahumanam: 2 small laddus
Archana:
Archana refers to the recital of various names of Lord and seeking His divine blessings for the prosperity of the entire humanity.
Also known as Sahasranamarchana, this arjitha seva deals with the recitation of 1008 glorious names of Lord. The important feature of this particular seva is that the divine blessings of Lord are invoked in the Names and Gotras of the grihasta pilgrims who take part in this seva by paying requisite amount.
The Venkateswara Sahasranamarchana is unique to Tirumala shrine only and it is clearly mentioned in the inscription dated back to 1518 AD.
Reporting Time: 4:00 AM
Seva Time: 4:30 AM
Day of Seva Performed: Tue-Wed-Thu
Price of a Ticket (INR): 220.00
No.of Persons allowed: One
Prasadam / Bahumanam: 2 small laddus
Note : Tickets will not be available for Monday for the months of May, June and July.
Kalyanotsavam:
Srivari Kalyanotsavam is performed to the utsava murti of the Lord Sri Malayappa swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi in the marriage hall in the Sampangi Pradakshinam.
Reference to this Seva conducted on special occasions were found in the inscriptions of the 15th century. The wedding ceremony is held amidst recitation of the vedic mantras and pronouncing the family pedigree of the brides and bridegroom. The idols of the Lord and his brides face each other with a screen in between. They are allowed to see each other only at the appropriate auspicious moment when the screen is removed. The priests perform homas.
A purohit conducts the marriage and an archaka is consecrated to perform other rituals on behalf of the bridegroom. This seva is not performed on important festivals like Srivari Brahmotsavam. Pavitrotsavam, Pushpayagam etc. and on the days of solar and lunar eclipses. The grihasthas who participate in the seva are given prasadams and clothes. The duration of the seva is about one hour.
Dolotsavam (Unjal Seva):
Sri Malayappaswami, Sridevi and Bhudevi are seated in an unjal (Swing) in the Aina Mahal (Addala Mantapam) located opposite to Ranganayaka mantapam inside Srivari Temple. It is enchanting to see the gorgeous reflections of the Lord’s glorious presence every where. The deities are swung to the accompaniment of Veda parayanam and mangalavadyam. This is an arjita seva and the devotees are admitted on payment of requisite fee.
Arjitha Brahmotsavam:
The Arjitha Brahmotsavam is performed daily in an abridged manner in the Vaibhavotsava Mantapam, opposite Srivari Temple. Sri Malayappa Swami is seated on Peddasesha Vahanam, Garuda Vahanam and Hamumantha Vahanam and offered worship. This seva is conducted only after the Kalyanotsavam.
Arjita Vasanthotsavam:
This seva is conducted in the Vaibhavotsava Mantapam as an arjitam. This seva is offered to Sri Malayappa swami and His consorts daily. Perfumeries are lavishly used to create an ethereal atmosphere. The vedic pandits recite Purusha suktam, Sri suktam and other vedic hymns. Abhishekam is done to the Lord and His consorts with sacred water. Later abhishekam is performed with milk, curd, honey and turmeric. Finally, sandal paste is applied to Sri Malayappa Swami and consorts.
Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva:
Every day evening at 5:30 p.m. Sahasra deepalankarana seva is performed in the Unjal mantapam located on the south eastern corner of the Srivari Temple.
( At present this seva is being performed inside Vaibhavotsava Mandapam due to rennovation work of Unjal Mandapam ) . Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken out in procession to the mantapa, where one thousand wick lamps are lit. In the midst of vedic chanting and singing of Annamacharya and Purandhara Dasa Sankirtanas, The Unjal Seva is performed. It will be an enchanting visual to witness the glory of Lord on Unjal in the lights of one thousand oil lit lamps.
Ekanta Seva:
Ekanta Seva is the last ritual among the daily sevas. Sarvadarsanam comes to a close with Ekanta Seva. Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi, the silvar image of the main deity is seated in the Sayana Mantapam in a golden cot. During Ekanta seva, a descendant of Saint Poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya sings lullabies to put the Lord to celestial sleep. This seva is also known as ‘Panupu’ seva. Later Tarigonda vengamamba harati (in a plate inlaid with one of the dasavataras on each day with pearls) is offered to the Lord. Bhoga Srinivasa occupies the cot for eleven months in a year and in the twelfth month of Dhanurmasa (Margali) Sri Krishna is put to sleep.