Arjitham means Darshan or Seva for Lord Venkateswara by paying a fee set by the temple administration.
Admission to a particular seva on payment of a fee is called “Amantranotsavam”.
Vaikhanasa Agama:
Agamas in general are revered with the Vedas as Hindu primary writings. All Agamas elucidate the science of ritual, but the uniqueness of “Vaikhanasa Agama” is that it gives more details about the ritual’s execution, both in the temple and at home.
The “Vaikhanasa Agama” exists in two parts. The first part deals with the rituals performed inside the temple and the presiding deity. The second part deals with the purification ceremonies to which a priest must submit to have the right to serve in the temple.
“Vaikhanasa Agama” was written by Sage Vikhanasa, he is considered as one of the four main agamas “Vaishnava”. Mareechi, Bhrigu, Kashyapa and Atri, the four disciples of the sage Vikhanasa have spread the essence of Vaikhanasa Agama around the world.
The daily, weekly, monthly and annual festivals or arjitha sevas held in the Venkateswara hill sanctuary in Tirumala are in line with the recommendations of Vaikhanasa Agama for several centuries.
The Vaikhanasa Agama recommends six times puja a day viz. Prathyusham which promotes the development of healthy population, Pratahkala that promotes Japa and Homa, Madhyahna in the promotion of the kingdom, Aparahna that brings about the destruction of evil doers, Sayankala which leads to greater and increased agricultural production and Nisi aradhana that develops the cattle population. As it is not always possible to perform six pujas a day in a temple, the same agama also recommends minimum one puja.
“Shatkalam va Thrikalam va Dwikalam
Ekakalam va Pujanam Deva Devasya”
In Tirumala, three offers are currently made, one in the morning with Thomala Seva open to the public, another in abbreviated Madyahna (in the afternoon) and third in the evening, strictly private, in which the archakas, only the paricharakas and the acharya purushas of the temple participate.
The temple administration of TTD performs daily arjita sevas to the presiding deity as a divine exercise and also authorizes the Grihastas (pilgrims) to participate in this exercise as a sign of participation in the service of devotion.
Sri Vari Daily Sevas:
Every day, the arjitha sevas performed by the divinity presided over by Lord Venkateswara begin with Suprabatham, followed by Thomala, Archana and ends with Ekanthaseva (not open to pilgrims). However, after the archana, arjitha sevas are also presented to the processional deity of Lord Venkateswara, also known as “Malayappa Swamy”, which includes Kalyanotsavam, Arjita Brahmotsavam, Dolotsavam, Vasantotsavam and Sahasra Deepalankara seva.
Sri Vari Weekly Sevas:
During the week days, each day has a specific worship ritual that has religious significance. These sevas are called weekly Sevas.
Monday – Vishesha Puja
Tuesday – Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana
Wednesday – Sahasra Kalasabhishekam
Thursday – Tiruppavada Seva
Friday – Abhishekam-Vastralankara Seva-Nija Pada Darshanam
Sri Vari Periodical Sevas:
Periodical Sevas are annual events of religious importance that take place in Tirumala as a result of the importance of a particular asterism.
Teppotsavam or float festival is celebrated in the March for 5 days in a Year.
Vasanthotsavam is celebrated in the March or April for 3 days a year.
Padmavathi Parinayam is celebrated in the May for 3 days a year.
Abhideyaka Abhishekam is celebrated Annual in the of June for 3 days a year.
Pushpa Pallaki is celebrated in the July Month.
Pushpa Yagam is celebrated in the November.
Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is celebrated 4 times in a year.
Pavithrotsavams is celebrated in the August for 3 days a year.
Tickets for all sevas and festivals of arjita are sold one month in advance for the benefit of the devotees who go and participate in the sacred event at Malayappa Swami temple.