About Tirumala Sri Vari Teppotsavam:
Every year during Phalguna Pournami, this festival is celebrated on a grand scale in the Swami Pushkarini for five days in the month of chaitra (March).
On the first day, Lord Rama with Sita and Lakshmana is offered worship and taken out for a celestial ride on the finely decked float in Swamy Pushkarini.
On the second day, Lord Sri Krishna and Rukmini are offered puja and taken for pleasure ride on float.
During the remaining three days beginning with Trayodasi and ending with Pournami, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken out for a ride in the temple tank.
On the third day, there will be three rounds followed by five rounds and on the final day, the utsava murtis will be taken out for pleasure ride on the impressively decorated float for seven rounds. The pilgrims throng to see the grandeur of the deities on this particular day since, the charm of full moon is an added attraction to the divine beauty of the deities.
Arjita seva ticket holders who take part in this float festival will have darsan of the Lord after the festival.
About Tirumala Sri Vari Vasanthotsavam:
The Annual Vasanthotsavam is performed in Tirumala on the auspicious days of Trayodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournami in the month of Chaitra (March/April) every year.
According to the temple Legend, the Vasanthotsavam Festival was started during the period of King Achyutaraya in 1460’s.
This annual fete was believed to have introduced by the King to mark the arrival of Spring Season. Lord and his Consorts are given aromatic bath on these three days which is believed to give a soothing relief to the deities from the scorching Sun.
This three-day festival starts with ankurarpanam (sowing the nine kinds of seeds) ceremony conducted on the day of Uttarabhadra star, one day before the commencement of Vasanthotsavam festival.
Punya Vachanam (purification rites), vaasthu santhi (worship of deity and lord of nature and their elements and natural forces as well as lord and deity of directions and environment) and samprokshanam (sprinkling of holy water as a symbolic representation of purification) rituals are performed by the temple priests. Access to these rituals is not open to public.
On all these three days, Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts are brought to beautifully decorated Vasanta Mandapam. In Vasanta Mandapam, Abhisekham which means Snapana Thirumanjanam (Holy Bath with aromatic ingredients) is performed to the processional deity of Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy and his consorts on first two days.
On the third day, Lord Sri Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya and Sri Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama are also taken out in procession along with Lord Malayappa Swamy and His consorts. At the end of procession, all Utsava murthies are brought to Vasanta Mandapam where Snapana Tirumanjanam is performed with religious fervour
Pilgrims can participate in Srivari Annual Vasanthotsavam Festival on payment of Rs.300 per person per Ticket.
About Tirumala Sri Vari Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam:
Koil Alwar means ‘Holy Shrine’. Alwar means “Devotee”. Tirumanjanam means “Cleaning with aromatic ingredients”.
Koil Tirumanjanam is purification ceremony of sanctum santorum and temple premises by devotees. During the ceremony all the deities and other articles are removed from santum santorum and cleansed while the “Mula Virat” is covered with a water- proof covering.
The entire Garbha Griham, including floors, ceilings and walls, sub-shrines inside the sanctum, puja articles are cleaned with water and Tirumanjanam which is a composition of camphor, sandal paste, saffron, turmeric Kicchili Gadda (a root vegetable) etc. is smeared, which acts as a disinfectant.
The covering of the main deity is then removed and the deities, deepam and other articles are replaced inside. Special pujas and Naivedyams are then offered to the presiding deity.
This ceremony is performed strictly as per the agamas and is conducted four times year viz. before Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Vaikunta Eakadasi and Annual Brahmotsavams.
About Tirumala Sri Vari Pavithrotsavam:
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTDs) celebrates Srivari Pavithrotsavam every year on the important days of Ekadasi, Dwadasi and Trayodasi in the month of Sravana as per Hindu calendar. This festival is known as “Festival of Purification”.
This festival was first instituted by Saluva Mallaiah Deva Raja in 1463 A.D. at Tirumala during the period of Saluva Narasimha as per the inscription 157 present in Srivari Temple.
During these three days, Tirumanjanam and Homam are performed to the main deity and as well as primary idols of Lord Sri Venkateswar Swamy.
As a prelude to this purification festival Ankurarpanam is performed a day before where in nine types of cereals are sowed in an earthen container which marks the beginning of the festival.
The significance of the festival is that the priests symbolically seek the pardon of the Lord for their acts of all omissions and commissions committed either knowingly or unknowingly during the performance of daily rituals to the presiding deity inside the temple all through the year.
On the first day of Pavithrotsavam, Homam (Prayer to Sacrificial Fire) is performed at Yagasala situated inside the temple followed by Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) for about two hours to the processional deities with sandal, turmeric, milk, curd and honey.
In the evening the processional deities are taken out for a pleasure ride around four mada streets, blessing pilgrims who converge to witness the grandeur of Lord Malayappa Swamy draped in dazzling Gold and Diamond jewels.
On the second day, after Snapana Thirumanjanam(celestial bath) special puja is performed to the silk woven holy threads called “Pavithralu” which are the sanctified threads. The unique feature about this thread is that it has five colours which are Black, Blue, Red, Yellow and Green..
“Pavitralu” will be tied around the head, neck, waist etc of Lord before taken for the procession. They are also tied to various deities inside the temple as well as deities of sub-temples located inside the prakaram including Ananda Nilaya Vimana Venkateswara Swamy, Yoga Narasimha Swamy etc. and also to Lord Sri Bhuvarhaswamy located adjacent to Swami Pushkarini.
These holy silk threads are woven out of a special variety of high quality cotton which is grown exclusively in the land that is meant to grow Tulasi plant which is considered to be sacred for Hindus.
On the third the sacred Homam is performed followed by Snapana Tirumanjanam, followed by rituals like Visesha Samarpana, procession along four mada streets and concludes with Purnahuthi which takes place inside the main temple.
About Tirumala Sri Vari Pushpa Yagam:
This ceremony is performed after annual Brahmotsavam on the asterism of Sravanam which also happens to be the birth star of Lord Venkateswara, usually in the month of Krittika as per Hindu calendar which falls during October or November
Ankurarpanam is done prior to the Pushpayagam. On this day, after the daily pujas, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are seated on a special golden platform in Sampangi Mandapam.
After offering Tirumanjanam to the utsava murtis worship is done to them with tones of varieties of flowers. Later procession takes place in the evening.
As per the scriptures, this festival is usually performed to save the earth from natural calamities such as quakes, cyclones, epidemics and appease the Lord to save the life of humanity, flora and fauna from all the catastrophes.
This festival which was in vogue in 15th Century, was reinstated by TTDs in 1980s.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams TTD performs Annual Pushpa Yagam to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy in the holy hill shrine Tirumala in the month of Karthika (October/November).
This is an annual festival which will be celebrated on the day of Sravanam Star (Birth Star of Lord Balaji) in the month of Karthika (October/November).
About Tirumala Sri Vari Abhideyaka Abhishekam:
This festival is performed in the holy month of Jyestha as per Hindu Almanac and the fete is completed coinciding the star of Jyestha in the constellation. This festival is also called “Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam”.
“Abhidhyeyakam” means protective shield or armour (that which cannot be destructed). To fight against the evil, the Lord emerged with this protective armour in this Kaliyuga. Since the special abhishekam (celestial bath) is conducted to this special “Armour of God” this festival is also called Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam. As this festival takes place in the month of Jyestha it is also known as “Jyesthabhishekam”.
As per the temple legendary, this special Abhishekam is usually performed every year to protect the Utsava deities of Lord Malayappa swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi from damage that might occur while conducting processions and Tirumanjanam (holy baths) all through the year during different festive occasions.
Meanwhile the festival lasts for three days. Each day after the second bell, the lord and his consorts are taken to the Kalyanotsava mandapam located in Sampangi Prakaram and Snapana Tirumanjanam is conducted amidst the chanting of vedic mantras.
Snapana Tirumanjanam involves performing a bath to the deities involving holy and consecrated water mixed with spices including turmeric, sandal paste, honey, milk and curd.
Later the lord and his consorts are adorned in different attires (special kavachams)on each of these days. On First Day Lord muses pilgrims in Vajrakavacham (armour studded with diamonds), followed by Muthyala kavcham (armour studded with pearls) and Svarna kavacham (armour of gold) on the third day. This Svarna kavacham remains adorned to the Lord and his consorts throughout the year and only removed for Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam in the year next.
About Tirumala Sri Vari Padmavathi Parinayam:
This festival is celebrated in the month of May. The artistically decked Parinayotsavam Mandapam in the Narayanagiri gardens is the venue of the celestial wedding of Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavathi.
This three – day annual festival is performed in the evening under the moon light. In this colorful ceremony conducted on Navami, Dasami and Ekadasi in the month of Vaisakha, Sri Malayappaswami, the festival deity of Lord Venkateswara, arrives in style on Gaja, Aswa and Garuda Vahanas on each of the respective days, while Sridevi and Bhudevi arrive on separate palanquins.
Every day after the wedding in the Parinayotsava Mandapam, ‘Koluvu’ is held. After reciting the vedic hymns and singing the devotional songs, Lord along with Sridevi and Bhudevi return to the temple.
On the first day on the arrival of Lord Sri Malayappa Swami celestial Gaja Vahanam, and His two consorts, Goddess Sridevi and Goddess Bhudevi on separate palanquins.
This divine wedding ceremony takes place as per the Hindu marriage traditions in an interesting manner. As a part of this, the Lord is seated inside the finely decorated Parinaya Mandapam, while His two consorts on the opposite side.
Edurukolu(Receiving each other), (Pula Bantata) Game of Flower Balls, Vastra Dharanam(offering of new clothes) are traditionally conducted. The same process will take place on all the three days. At the end of this grand divine marriage, firing of crackers adds additional glamour to the entire ceremony. After completion of wedding ceremony Lord Malayappa swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi as procession return to main temple.
About Tirumala Sri Vari Pushpa Pallaki:
As per the tradition followed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTDs), temple accounts begin from Dakshinayana (winter solstice) in July. Anivara Asthanam, the grand durbar festival of Lord Venkateswara otherwise known as “Accounting Festival”, is celebrated on that day (usually on July 16).
On this day the previous year’s accounts are submitted to the Lord and begin a new financial year opening a new book. All the principal officers of the temple deposit their insignia of office at the feet of the Lord and take them back. The significance of the ceremony is that the Lord allows them to hold their respective offices as He found them fit.
In the evening the Lord is taken round in a procession along the four mada streets on a richly decorated floral palanquin. It is a remarkable spectacle for devotees who participate in this religious fete. Lord Sri Malayappa Swami and His consorts are exquisitely adorned with ornaments and garlands during this arjitha seva.
In the evening the Lord is taken round along the four Mada streets in procession on a richly decorated floral palanquin. It is a remarkable spectacle for devotees who paticipate in this arjita seva to withness and enjoy the majestic presence of the Lord.
“Om Namo Venkatesaya
Srivari Seva – Manava Sevaye Madhava Seva”
The periodical sevas Time, Month, Price, Number of Persons Allowed for the seva and Bahumanam or Prasadam.
Periodical Sevas Details:
Seva: Teppotsavam:
Teppotsavam is a Annual Festival celebrated Five days in a year
Time / Month: 18:00 hrs/ Five days a year
Cost in Rs: 500.00 per day.
Number of Persons Allowed: Only one person is allowed for this Seva
Bahumanam/Prasadam:
Seva: Vasanthotsavam:
Vasanthotsavam Annual Festival Celebrated in the month of March or April
Time / Month: 13:00 hrs/ March or April
Cost in Rs: 300.00/-
Number of Persons Allowed: Only one person is allowed for this Seva
Bahumanam/Prasadam:
Seva: Padmavathi Parinayam
Padmavathi Parinayam is a Annual Festival Celebrated in the month of May
Time / Month: 16:00 hrs/ May
Cost in Rs: 1000.00/-
Number of Persons Allowed: Only one person is allowed for this Seva
Bahumanam/Prasadam:
Seva: AbhideyakaAbhishekam
Abhideyaka Abhishekam is Annual Festival Celebrated in the month of June
Time / Month: 07:00 hrs/ June
Cost in Rs: 400.00/-
Number of Persons Allowed: Only one person is allowed for this Seva
Bahumanam/Prasadam:
Seva:Pushpa Pallaki
Time / Month: 18:00 hrs/ July
Cost in Rs: 200.00/-
Number of Persons Allowed: Only one person is allowed for this Seva
Bahumanam/Prasadam:
Seva:Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam
Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is celebrated 4 times in a year.
Time / Month: 08:00 hrs/ Four times a year
(on Tuesdays before Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Srivari Brahmotsavam and Vaikunta Ekadasi)
Cost in Rs: 300.00/-
Number of Persons Allowed: Only one person is allowed for this Seva
Bahumanam/Prasadam:
Seva: Pavithrotsavam
Pavithrotsavam is Annual Festival Celebrated in the month of August
Time / Month: 08:00 hrs/ August
Cost in Rs: 2,500/-
Number of Persons Allowed: Only one person is allowed for this Seva
Bahumanam/Prasadam: