Koil Alwar means ‘Holy Shrine’. Alwar means “Devotee”. Tirumanjanam means “Cleaning with aromatic ingredients”. Koil Tirumanjanam is a purification ceremony of sanctum santorum and temple premises by devotees. During the ceremony, all the deities and other articles are removed from the sanctum santorum and cleansed while the “Mula Virat” is covered with a waterproof covering.
The entire Garbha Griham, including floors, ceilings and walls, sub-shrines inside the sanctum, and 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 a year viz. before Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Annual Brahmotsavams.
2021 Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam Date:
Temple cleansing fete, Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam in connection with Deepavali will be held in Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple in Tirupati on November 2. Deepavali Asthanam will be conducted on November 4.