The
Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple dated back to 1200 BC has developed into a huge
shrine spread over 415 feet long and 263 feet wide. The entire Tirumala shrine
has a heavy density of population with a foot fall of nearly 75,000 devotees
daily besides an employee force, police and updating staff of another 20,000.
There are several divinely granite and sand stone-carved doorways, mandapams,
sub - shrines, mini – gopurams, gold and silver plated doorways, huge prakrams
and pradakshinams inside the Temple complex. It also houses separate chambers
for keeping his ornaments, holy silks, fresh garlands, sandal wood grinder all
along his temple. Besides a Potu (kitchen) to make Laddu prasadam for devotees,
there is also a special kitchen where the lords daily food (naivedyam) are
prepared on a round the clock and shift basis. In all there are 27 historic,
holy and also unique structures inside the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple which
includes three prakarams (compound walls) built with heavy rocks and metal
sealing as old as 1000 year. Added to the religious and devotional potion and performance
is the Holy Mada streets .While the North and south Mada streets measure 800
feet each while the West streets is 900 feet but the East Mada street running
infront of the main temple is about 750 feet .
Padi
Kavali Maha Dwaram
The
Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands on a quadrangular base 38 feet
to south to north and 32 feet east to West. The doorway in the gopurams is 11
feet. The door frames, door jams , sills are all made of thick cut stone .
Built during the late Chola period the Mahagopuram is 50 feet tall it has (almost
five stories ) and each level has number of mini shrines. The inscriptions on
the gopuram belong to 13th century. There are a number of stucco figures of
Vaishnava gods like Hanuman, Kevale Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha on the
gopuram. Legends speak about the saint Ramanujacharyas crow bar which dug the
first soil pit also visible on the door frame in the Mahadwaram .
Sampangi
Prakaram
The
path for circumambulating the temple is called a Prakarams (pathways). The Lord
Venkateswara Swamy temple has three pradakshinams. Between the outermost and
inside prakarams is the second pathway known as the Sampangi Prakaram of which
one side is completely closed to pilgrims. The prakaram is now used as a major
store room inside the temple where behind the cast iron grills, commodities are
stored after they were transported via an escalator from South Mada Street.
Legends say that the prakaram was used earlier to conduct processions of the
deities during rainy and trouble some days. The Sampangi Pradakshinam contains
several interesting mandapams like the Pratima Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam,
Tirumala Raya Mandapam, Saluva Narasimha Mandapam, Aina Mahal and
Dhvajasthambha Mandapam. Most of these are additions to the temple made during the
Vijayanagara king Srikrishnadeva Raya and others.
Krishna
Deva Raya Mandapam
After
passing through the Padi Kavali Mahadwaram you will land lf in an open mandapam
called the Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam or Pratima Mandapam. This mandapam gets
its name from the pratimas or bronze portrait icons of the Vijayanagara emperor
Krishnadevaraya and his two consorts, Tirumaladevi and Chinnadevi. It also
hosts a statue of Venkatapathi Raya and Achyutha Raya, who succeeded Krishna
Deva Raya to the throne, and his wife Varadajiamma. The Mandapam has beautiful
wall pictures of the Vijayanagara period like, Srirama breaking the bow,
Srirama Pattabhishekam and Krishna Leela. Sri Vaishnava symbols or the
Urdhvapundras flanked by a conch and disc are carved at the top of the two main
pillars of the Mandapam.
Ranganayaka
Mandapam
Ranganayaka
Mandapam alias Ranga Mandapam alias Ranganayakula Mandapam, is located in the
south-eastern corner of the Sampangi Prakaram or Pradakshinam. The shrine
within it is believed to be the place where the utsava murti of Lord Ranganadha
of Srirangam was kept during the 14th century, when Srirangam was occupied by
Muslim rulers. Now the mandapam is used for holding Snapana Thirumanjanams
during Brahmotsavam period and other festivals
Tirumala
Raya Mandapam
Tirumala
Raya Mandapam adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western side, and facing the
Dhvajasthambha Mandapam is a spacious complex of pavilions known as the
Tirumala Raya Mandapam or Anna Unjal Mandapam. It consists of two different
levels, the front at a lower level and the rear at a higher carved in black
granite stone with period architecture of vines, yalis and stucco features. It
is in this Mandapam, that the utsava murthi Malayappan, holds His annual darbar
or Anivari Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja on Dhwajastambham
to mark the commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally, the prasadam
distributed on this occasion is still called Tirumalarayan Pongal. It is also
called Anna-Vuyala utsavam ( a typical unjal seva) . The Mandapam has a typical
complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara style with rearing horses. The bronze
statues of Todermallu, his mother Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi, are
kept in a corner of the Mandapam.
Aina
Mahal
The
Aina Mahal or the Mirror hall is on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya
Mandapam spread over 42 square feet each two chambers. It consists of two parts
- an open mandapam in the front consisting of six rows comprising six pillars
each, and a shrine behind it consisting of an Antarala and Garbhagriha. It has
large mirrors which reflect beauty and fiery of the idols infinitely from all
angles. There is an unjal in the middle of the room in which the Lord is seated
and festivals conducted. The Dolotsavam festival is conducted in this hall
regularly.
Dhwajasthambha
Mandapam
Dhwajasthambha
Mandapam houses the Dhwajastambha (a wooden flagpole encased in gold plate) and
the Bali Peetha (seat for food offering). A peculiar feature of the Mandapam is
that its ceiling is covered to facilitate the conduction of the rituals in all
weather conditions. The pillars mandapam have the idols of Yoga Narasimha,
Matsya, Hanuman, Krishna killing Bakasura, Srinivasa Kalyanam scenes etc. On
the Dwajasthambham itself there are statues of Krishna killing Kaliya serpent
etc . The relative positions of the Dhwajasthambha and the Bali Peetha are in
accordance with Vaikhanasa Agamic traditions.
Nadimi
Padi Kavali
The
inner Gopuram – the Nadimi Padi Kavali or Inner Gopuram is the inner entrance
to the temple, which is reached through the Dhvajasthambha Mandapam.Its wooden
doors are covered with silver plates, and therefore it is also referred to as
the Vendi Vakili. The doors are smaller than that of the Outer Gopuram. The
gopurams is 30 feet tall and its outer face of the walls of this gopurams
contain inscriptions of 15 and 16th century.There are numerous inscriptions on
the inside walls, the earliest relating to the Pandyan monarch, Jata Varma
Sundarapandya, who became king in 1251 AD.
Vimana
Pradakshinam
The
Vimana Pradakshinam or Prakaram is the commonly-used circumambulatory pathway
around the central shrine. The vimana over the sanctum can be seen from this
pathway. Pilgrims who have taken a vow of performing Angapradakshinam perform
it in the Vimana Pradakshinam. However On an average 500 pilgrims are permitted
to conduct Anga Pradakshinam only inside the Sampangi prakaram every Saturday.
The corridor around this prakaram accommodates the deepala roo,m( room of
lights),gammikar’s room ( works), kaikolos room amd pallaki room . It has a
Sangita Bhandaram containing hundreds of copper plates inscribed by saint
composer Annamacharya.
Sri
Varadarajaswami Shrine
Sri
Varadaraja Swami, a shrine of Sri Varadarajaswami is an independent shrine
located on the eastern side of the vimana. The shrine is located to the right
of the entrance to sanctum of Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple which is 20 feet
in length and15 feet in width. The idol of Sri Varadarajaswami faces the West
and is in a standing posture, with a disc and conch in the upper right and left
hands respectively. The lower right hand is in the Abhaya pose and the lower
left, in the Katyavalambika pose.The name Varadaraja is given to this form of
Sri Maha Vishnu as he is believed to be the giver of boons.
Potu
The
Potu or main kitchen where the food-offerings for the Lord Venkateswara Swamy
temple are prepared, is to the south of the Varadarajaswami shrine. Inside the
Potu, there is a small shrine dedicated to Sri Maha Lakshmi, who is also called
Potu Amma (lady of the kitchen) or Madapuli Nachiyar. She is also identified
with Vakulamalika, who was, according to the Puranas, sent by Varahaswami to be
the house-keeper of Sri Venkateswara, when he resided on the hill. Vakulamalika
is said to have arranged Lord Sri Venkateswara's marriage with Padmavathi. Rice
prasadam is prepared in the inner Poti and are served to the deity every day at
scheduled breaks thrice a day .
The
Main Shrine
The
main shrine includes the sanctum and the three successive halls in front of it
up to the Bangaru Vakili. It consists of several other mini halls like the
1.
Snapana Mandapam, a square hall.
2.
Ramar Meda, a rectangular hall
3.
Sayana Mandapam, also rectangular in shape, where the Ekanta Seva is performed.
4.
Sanctum or Garba Griha, in which the idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara stands. In
between the sanctum and the Sayana Mandapam, is the celebrated threshold,
called the Kulasekhara-padi. The main idol of Lord Venkateswara stands on gold
plated lotus pedestal to a height of 18 feet and the sanctum is 12 feet and 9
inches raidus . The entire east face of the sanctum is gold plated with a gold
plated door – bangaru vakili. The gopurams of the main shrine inside is also
gold plated. Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple is unique for having the only one
idol of Vishnu - (described as Eka murti temple) in the entire world as all
other Vishnu temples have their consorts and sub deities also. (For more
details look into pages-97, 99 -126 in the book of Dr N Ramesan – The Tirumala
Temple).
Sankeertana
Bhandara
Adjoining
the porch of Bhashyakara Sannidhi on its western side of the Vimana Pralkaram
in a small chamber called Talapakamara or Sankeertana Bhandara. It house the
copper plate collection of sankeertanas composed by the Talapaka poets
(Talapaka Annamacharya, his son Pedda Tirumalacharya and grandson Chinna
Tirumalacharya), who were minstrels attached to the hill shrine. Annamacharya a
senior contemporary of Purandara Dasa and his Keertans can be classified into
three groups - Adhyatama Sankeertanam, Sringara Sankeertanam and Srungara
Manjari.
Bangaru
Bavi
Bangaru
Bavi In front of the Potu is a well called the Bangaru Bavi. The well provided
water needs of the Lord Venkateswara kitchen (Potu) through stone pipes laid
way back hudreds years ago. In the Agamas he well is described as holy and
sacred and is built with the unique engineering of the Vijayanagara architects
. The water supply system in the water is a replica of the Hampi city of the
Krishnadeva Raya period. Devotees and pilgrims throw coins into the well and
consider as a ‘wish well’ to provide solutions to their problems.
Snapana
Mandapam
After
crossing the Bangaru Vakili one entered a semi dark chambers ahead of the
Sanctum of Lord Venkateswara. This is the Snapana Mandapam has four central
pillars, which bear sculptures of Bala Krishna, Yoga Narasimha and
Kaliayamardhana and that of Sri Maha Vishnu in the seated pose shown with four
arms. The Lord's consorts are also shown seated in Sukhasana on either side of
him.
Ramar
Meda
Ramar
Meda, which means 'the elevated platform for Rama', used to house the icons of
Rama, Sita and Laxmana. These icons have since been moved to the sanctum to
accompany the majestic statue of Lord Venkateswara. Ramar Meda was the junction
of the first pradakshina path – i.e., mukkoti Pradakshina. But it was closed in
1262-1265 and is now a closed room. It has two platforms exhibiting the statues
of Angada , Hanuman ,Sugriva and Vali in bronze and also hosted the sub shrines
of Vishvaksena and Garuda who are the utsava murthis of their respective
sub-shrines.
The
Sayana Mandapam, also called the Ardha Mandapam, is directly in front of the
sanctum (in accordance with the Agamas). This is as close to the sanctum that
the pilgrims can get. The Mandapam is connected to the sanctum by the threshold
called Kulasekhara-padi, named after an Alwar who wished to be reborn as the
threshold to the Lord's shrine. The main function of this Mandapam is to
facilitate the performance of rituals that cannot be accommodated in the
sanctum. The Mandapam is so called because it is here that the representative
icon of the Lord (Bhoga Srinivasa) is ceremoniously put to bed as the last
sequence (Sayanotsava or Ekanta Seva) of daily worship. The 18x6 feet room is
the final resting place of the Lord Venkateswara every day after the daily
Ekanta Seva ritual.
Garbha
Gruha
The
Garbha Gruha or sanctum is where the main idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara
resides. The idol stands majestically in the sanctum directly beneath a gilt
and gold plated gopurams called the Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana. It is a 12 x12
feet square structure and its walls were built in 8 or 9th century
with huge cut granite stones the main idol Mula Virat is believed to be
self-manifested and no human being is known to have installed it in the shrine.
The idol wears a gold kiritam with a large emerald embedded and a diamond
kiritam on special ocassion.The Lord has a thick double patch of upwrought
namam drawn with refined camphor, which screens his eyes with a kasturitilakam.
The jewelry, apparel and the daily decorations are feast for eyes of the
devotees and a special team of priests and temple staff undertake the exercise
with pious and devotion. Lord Venkateswara Swamy lotus feet are covered with
gold frames and decked with clinging gold anklets. A strong curved belt of gold
encompasses his legs. The Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana was covered with gilt
copper plates and surmounted with a golden vase.
Kalyana
Mandapam
Kalyanotsavam
or marriage festival is celebrated in the Kalyana Mandapam. The Kalyana
Mandapam is architecturally similar to the Tirumala Raya Mandapam. At its
western end, is a small mandapam carried on slender cut-stone pillars and
surmounted by a vimana. This mandapam is regularly used for conducting daily
Kalyanotsavams and comprises of richly decorated pillars , architecture of the
Chola and he Vijayanagara period .
Ramanuja
Shrine (Bhashyakara Sannidhi)
Adjacent
to the Sangeeta Bhandara in the northern corridor of the Vimana Pradakshinam is
the shrine of Sri Ramanuja and is also called the Bhashyakara Sannidhi.
Ramanuja was the architect of Tirupati and the father figure of the Sri Vaishnava
community. He designed the Nandanavanams or flower gardens of Tirumala He lay
down the worship procedures and rituals besides the Agama concept for the
maintenance of the Sri Venkateswara temple. The shrine was overlooks the
western end of the Tirumamani Mandapam and figures prominently during the
festival of Adhyayanotsavam. Special worship is conducted in this shrine during
Gandhapodi Utsavam and Bhashyakara Utsavam when the utsava murthi of Ramanuja
is taken in a grand procession to meet Malayappa near the Padi Kavali.
Sri
Narasimhaswami Shrine
Sri
Narasimhaswami Shrine is located to the left of the front pavilion of the
Ramanuja shrine. It houses an idol of Sri Yoga Narasimha Built in the 15th
century, the shrine is surrounded by a polished mandapam. Artistic dance poses
of the period are depicted in the sculptured pillars. The shrine has history
found in inscriptions dating back to 1469 and the deity is popularly known as
Alagiyasingar. The fully stone carved mandapam and the temple facing the Lord
Venkateswara Swamy temple is a major attraction to all devotees.
The
Tirumamani Mandapam built by Mallanna or Madhavadasa Chief of Chandragiri is
supported by sixteen carved pillars, which introduce a natural division of the
area into three aisles. There are two massive, inscribed bells, known as
Tirumani or Tirumahamani, which give the Mandapam its name and used during the
Naivedyam in the sanctum. The Mandapam serves as an Asthana Mandapam, where
Koluvu Srinivasa holds court after the Thomala Seva in the sanctum, listens to
the reading of the almanac, and presides over the giving of daily rations of
rice. The recitation of Suprabhatam also takes place here.
Bangaru
Vakili
When
you enter the Tirumamani Mandapam, you walk through the Bangaru Vakili to reach
the inner sanctum sanctorum. There are two tall copper images of the
dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya on either side of the door. The thick wooden door
is covered with gilt plates depicting the dasavataram of Sri Maha Vishnu.
Suprabhatam is sung in front of this door every day for waking up the deity in
early hours.
Mukkoti
Pradakshinam
Mukkoti
Pradakshinam is an enclosed pathway for circumambulation that runs around the
sanctum and the porch in front of it. Mukkoti Pradakshinam is opened to
pilgrims only twice a year during Mukkoti Ekadasi and Mukkoti Dvadasi. The
doors are opened on the night of the eleventh day morning (early hours) after
Thiruppavai and closed on the night of the twelfth day (called
Margali-tiru-dvadasi).
Sri
Vishwaksena Temple
Sri
Vishvaksena Temple is located at the northern side of the main temple, in the
Mukkoti Pradakshinam. Sri Vishwaksena occupies an important place in the
Vaikhanasa Agama. In Vaishnavite functions and temple rituals, Sri Vishwaksena
is worshipped first. Vishwaksena is said to be the chief of the army (of the
Lord) and is believed to protect the function or ritual from evil.. The idol of
Vishwaksena and its worship are strictly in accordance with the Vaikhanasa
Agama. During the daily worship of Lord Venkateswara, the garlands and flowers
(called nirmalya) from the Lord's idol are removed and Vishwaksena is
worshipped with them. Before commencement of the annual Brahmotsavam, the
Senadhipathi or Vishvaksena Utsava is performed followed by Ankurarpana. His
idol is also taken out in a procession during the Adhyayanotsavam.
Sri
Yoga Narasimhaswami Temple
The
sub-temple for Sri Yoga Narasimhaswami, facing the west, is located in a
mandapam in the north-eastern corner of the first prakaram. The temple attracts
devotees for its well sculpted idol and also the rituals held throughout the
year .Devotees throng the temple before going to put their donations in the
Hundi opposite to it .
Sri
Garuda Temple
The
tour of Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple complex completes with the temple of
Garuda (also called Garudalwar) located directly opposite the presiding deity
in the Sri Venkateswara temple. Being the Lord's mount he is shown with
outstretched wings, ever ready to carry him. You will find Garuda's image not
only in the shrine but also at the corners of the prakarams, mandapams and
vimanas. At the commencement of the annual Brahmotsavam of Lord Sri
Venkateswara, a flag with the image of Garuda is hoisted on the Dhwajasthamba.
Sri Varahaswami
Temple
Sri Varahaswami Temple in Tirumala
is to the north of the Sri Venkateswara Temple, on the banks of Swami Pushkarini.
According to
legend, Tirumala was originally Adi Varaha Kshetra (the home of Sri Adi Varaha
Swami), and it was with his permission that Lord Sri Venkateswara took up
residence here.
According to the
Brahma Purana, pilgrims should first offernaivedyam to Sri Adi Varaha Swami, before
visiting the Sri Venkateswara Temple.
According to Atri
Samhita (Samurtarchanadhikara), the Varahaavatara
is worshipped in three forms:
·
Adi Varaha
·
Pralaya Varaha
·
Yajna Varaha
The idol of Sri
Varahaswami in Tirumala is that of Adi Varaha, as it resembles the description
of the Adi Varaha murti in Vaikhanasa Agama texts.
Swami Pushkarini
Swami
Pushkarini was originally in Vaikuntam and belonged to Sri Maha Vishnu. It was
set on Earth by Garuda, for the sport of Sri Venkateswara. It is adjacent to
the Sri Venkateswara temple.
Pilgrims
bathe here before entering the main temple.
The mukkoti of
Swami Pushkarini (the merging of over three crore teerthams in
Swami Pushkarini) occurs on Mukkoti
Dwadasi (the twelfth day of the fortnight of Dhanur Masa).
Therefore, it is believed that bathing in the Swami Pushkarini on this day, is
equivalent to bathing in the holy river, Ganges.
On
the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini is the Sri Varahaswami temple, while
on its southern bank is the Sri Venkateswara temple.
The
wooden-float festival of Lord Sri Venkateswara in the month of February/March
and Avabhrudhasnanam or Chakrasnanam during Brahmotsavam takes place in the
Swami Pushkarini.
Festivals at
Teerthams
|
Teertham
|
Day on which the Festival is Held Every Year
|
|
Kumaradhara
|
Magha
Pournami
|
|
Ramakrishna
|
Pushya
Pournami
|
|
Tumbhuru
|
Phalguna
Pournami
|
|
Chakra
|
Karthika
Masa - Ksheerabdhi Dwadasi
|
Sri Bedi
Anjaneyaswami Temple
Sri
Bedi Anjaneyaswami Temple is located on Sannidhi Street, opposite the main
temple. (In the Vaishnavite tradition, it is customary to have either Garuda or
Anjaneya opposite the main temple.)
The idol of Sri
Anjaneya is shown with its hands folded in supplication (the Anjali pose). Sri
Anjenaya is a devotee of Sri Rama, just as Garuda is of Sri Maha Vishnu.
Abhishekam is
performed every Sunday and special offerings are made on Hanuman Jayanti.
Sri Anjaneyaswami
Temple
Sri
Anjaneyaswami Temple is located opposite the Sri Varahaswami temple on the
north-eastern banks of the Swami Pushkarini. It was constructed during the
Mahant's period . The idol's hands are joined in supplication (in the Anjali
pose).
Sri Anjaneyaswami
is believed to be a bestower of boons and a protector from all evil. At the
temple, Abhishekam is conducted every Sunday.
Teerthams in
Tirumala
There are several teerthams in Tirumala:
|
|
Swami Pushkarini
Swami Pushkarini was originally in Vaikuntam and belonged to Sri Maha
Vishnu. It was set on Earth by Garuda, for the sport of Sri Venkateswara. It is
adjacent to the Sri Venkateswara temple.
Pilgrims bathe here before entering the main temple.
The mukkoti of Swami Pushkarini (the merging of over
three crore teerthams in Swami Pushkarini) occurs on Mukkoti Dwadasi (the twelfth day
of the fortnight of Dhanur Masa). Therefore, it is believed that bathing in the
Swami Pushkarini on this day, is equivalent to bathing in the holy river,
Ganges.
On the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini is the Sri Varahaswami
temple, while on its southern bank is the Sri Venkateswara temple.
The wooden-float festival of Lord Sri Venkateswara in the month of
February/March and Avabhrudhasnanam or Chakrasnanam during Brahmotsavam takes
place in the Swami Pushkarini.
