Maa Punyakshetralu - Temples in India

Venkateswara Swamy Photo Tirumala Tirupathi Devasathanam

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.

It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.

The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.

The benefits acquired by a piligrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.

The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice.

The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.

Padi Kavali Maha Dwara

The Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands on a quadrangular base.

Its architecture is that of the later Chola period. 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.

Ranga Mandapam

Ranga Mandapam, also called the Ranganayakula Mandapam, is located in the south-eastern corner of the Sampangi 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.

It is said to have been constructed between 1320 and 1360 AD by the Yadava ruler Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya. It is constructed according to the Vijayanagara style of architecture.

Dhwajasthambha Mandapam

The Dhwajasthambha Mandapam houses the Dhwajastambha (a wooden flagpole encased in gold) and the Bali Peetha (seat for food offering).

A peculiar feature of the Mandapam is that it is covered (unlike in other temples) to facilitate the conduct of rituals in all weather conditions.

The relative positions of the Dhwajasthambha and the Bali Peetha are in accordance with Vaikhanasa Agamic traditions.

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. The southern or inner portion of this Mandapam was constructed by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 AD to celebrate a festival for Sri Venkateswara called Anna Unjal Tirunal. This structure was extended to its present size by Araviti Bukkaraya Ramaraja, Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja.

It is in this Mandapam, that the utsava murthi Malayappan, holds His annual darbar or 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.

The Mandapam has a typical complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara style, with a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars, some of which emit musical notes when struck with a stone. The main pillars have rearing horses with warriors mounted on them. Some of the best sculptures of the temple are found in bold relief in the Mandapam. The bronze statues of Todermallu, his mother Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi, are kept in a corner of the Mandapam.

Sri Venkateswara Temple Programme

Day-Wise Programme:

Monday

Special Seva - Vishesha Puja: 05:30 - 07:00 hrs

02:30 - 03:00 hrs Suprabhatam

03:30 - 04:00 hrs Tomala Seva

04:00 - 04:15 hrs Koluvu and Panchanga Sravanam

04:15 - 05:00 hrs

First Archana i.e., Sahasranama Archana

05:30 - 06:30 hrs Visesha Puja

07:00 - 19:00 hrs Sarvadarsanam

12:00 - 17:00 hrs Kalyanotsavam, Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam, Unjal Seva

17:30 - 18:30 hrs Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva*

19:00 - 20:00 hrs Suddhi, Night Kainkaryams (Ekantam) and Night Bell

20:00 - 01:00 hrs Sarvadarsanam

01:00 - 01:30 hrs Suddhi and preparations for Ekanta Seva

01:30 hrs Ekanta Seva

Notes

• Sarvadarsanam may continue beyond 01:00 hrs subject to demand.

• The seva rates may change from time to time.

Tuesday

Special Seva: Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana 06:00 - 07:00 hrs

02:30 - 03:00 hrs Suprabhatam

03:30 - 04:00 hrs Tomala Seva

04:00 - 04:15 hrs Koluvu and Panchanga Sravanam

04:15 - 05:00 hrs First Archana i.e., Sahasranama Archana

06:00 - 07:00 hrs Suddhi, Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Second Bell

07:00 - 19:00 hrs Sarvadarsanam

12:00 - 17:00 hrs Kalyanotsavam, Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam, Unjal Seva

17:30 - 18:30 hrs Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva

19:00 - 20:00 hrs Suddhi, Night Kainkaryams (Ekantam) and Night Bell

20:00 - 01:00 hrs Sarvadarsanam

01:00 - 01:30 hrs Suddhi and preparations for Ekanta Seva

01:30 hrs Ekanta Seva

Notes

• Sarvadarsanam may continue beyond 01:00 hrs subject to demand.
• The seva rates may change from time to time.

Wednesday

Special Seva: Sahasrakalasa Abhishekam 06:00 - 08:00 hrs

02:30 - 03:00 hrs Suprabhatam

03:30 - 04:00 hrs Tomala Seva

04:00 - 04:15 hrs Koluvu and Panchanga Sravanam inside Bangaru Vakili.

04:15 - 05:00 hrs 1st Archana i.e., Sahasranama Archana and

06:00 - 08:00 hrs Sahasrakalasa Abhishekam Second Archana (Ekantam) and Bell

09:30 - 19:00 hrs Sarvadarsanam

12:00 - 17:00 hrs Kalyanotsavam, Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam, Unjal Seva

17:30 - 18:30 hrs Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva

19:00 - 20:00 hrs Suddhi, Night Kainkaryams and Night Bell

20:00 - 01:00 hrs Sarvadarsanam

01:00 - 01:30 hrs Suddhi and preparations for Ekanta Seva

01:30 hrs Ekanta Seva

Notes

Sarvadarsanam may continue beyond 01:00 hrs subject to demand.

The seva rates may change from time to time.

Thursday

(Special Seva: Tiruppavada - 06:00 - 08:00 hrs