Description of Daily Sevas

Suprabhatam
'Suprabhatam' is the first and foremost seva at Tirumala, Suprabhatam signifies the ritual performed at Sayana Mandapam to wake up the Lord from His celstial sleep, amidst chanting of the hymns.
Every day in the early hours acharyapurushas sing the hymns beginning with 'Kausalya Supraja Rama' while adecendant of Tallapaka Annamacharya recites Annamayya's matin songs. 'Suprabhatam' hymn consist of Suprabhatam, Stotram, Prapattithe and Mangalasanam composed by Prativadi Bhayankara Annan, a disciple of the celebrated vaishnava preceptor Manavala Mamuni. Archakas, jeeyangars, temple authorities and the grihasthas who purchased tickets for 'Suprabhatam' darsan worship the Lord delightfully during this seva. Immediately after completing the 'Suprabhatam', Bangaru Vakili is kept open. 'Suprabhata seva, tickets can be booked in advance. The ritual last for over 30 minutes.Suprabhata seva will not be performed in Dhanurmasa. Instead, 'Tiruppavai' is recited during this time. The worship of Lord Venkateswara during Suprabhatam is considered highly meritorious.
Suprabhatam stanzas, translation and audio
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Thomala Seva
The presiding deity of Lord Srinivasa, festival deities and other deities are exquisitely decorated with floral and tulasi garlands during this seva. 'Thomala' denotes the decoration of the deities with garlands.
The grihasthas who have paid the requisite amount can have darsan of the Lord during Thomala seva. However, the priests decorate the main deity of Lord Venkateswara with flowers brought by Ekangi or flowe specially brought from Flower room by Jeeyangar. The seva is performed for 30 minutes. This seva in conducted as arjita seva on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It is held in ekantams during the rest of the week.
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Sahasranama Archanantara
Archana to the main deity Lord Venkateswara is performed amidst chanting of one thousand name of the Lord. This occurs immediately after 'Suprabhatam' and Thomala seva. Devotees who have bought tickets for this Archana can take part in the seva.
The archakas offer tulasi leaves sent by the Jeeyangar to the Lotus Feet of the Lord while one thousand names are being chanted. Later, the tulasi leaves kept on the Lord's Feet are placed at the Lotus Feet of Maha Lakshmi seated in his chest amidst chanting of 'Mahalakshmi Chaturvimsati' (24 names of the Goddess). The ritual lasts for 30 minutes.
The Lord also receives second and third archanas later in the day. However, these are done in 'ekantam, and devotees are not allowed for darsan during thesr services. Sahasranama Archana is an arjita seva on Tuesday, Wednesday and thursday and on Friday, Saturday Sunday and Monday it is performed in ekantam.
Immediately after Archana piligrims who purchased tickets for Archanantra Darsan are allowed for darsan.
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Kalyanotsavam
Srivari Kalyanotsavam is performed to the utsava murti of the Lord Sri Malayappa swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi in the marriage hall in the Sampangi Pradakshinam.
Refrence to this Seva conducted on special occasions are found in the inscriptions of the 15th century. The wedding cermony is held amidst recitation of the vedic mantras and pronouncing the family pedigree of the brides and bridegroom. The idols of the Lord and his brides face each other with a screen in between. They are allowed to see each other only at the appropriate auspicious moment when the screen is removed. The priests perform homas. A purohit conducts the marriage and an archaka is consecrated to perform other rituals on behalf of the bridegroom. This seva is not performed on important festivals like Srivari Brahmotsavam. Pavitrotsavam, Pushpayagam etc. and on the days of solar and lunar eclipses. The grihasthas who participate in the seva are given prasadams and clothes. The duration of the seva is about one hour.
Pratyeka Kalyanotsavam
In terms of rituals, Pratyeka Kalyanotsavam is the same as Kalyanotsavam.
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Arjitha Brahmotsavam
The Brahmotsavam is performed dailu in an abridged manner in the vaibhavotsava Mantapam, opposite Srivari Temple. Sri Malayappa Swami is seated on Peddasesha Vahanam, Garuda Vahanam and Hamumantha Vahanam and offered worship. This seva is conducted only after the Kalyanotsavam.
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Dolotsavam (Unjal Seva)

Sri Malayappaswami, Sridevi and Bhudevi are seated in an unjal (Swing) in the Aina Mahal (Addala Mantapam) opposite Ranganayaka mantapam. it is enchanting to see the gorgeous reflections of the Lord's glorious presence every where. The deities are swung to the accompaniment of Veda parayanam and mangalavadyam. This is an arjita seva an the devotees are admitted on payment of requisite fee.
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Arjita Vasanthotsavam
This seva is conducted in the Vaibhavotsava Mantapam as an arjitam. The seva is offered to Sri Malayappa swami and His consorts daily. Perfumeries are lavishly used to create an ethereal atmosphere. The veda pandits chants Purusha suktam, Sri suktam and other vedic hymns. Abhishekam is done to the Lord and His consorts with sacred water. Later abhishekam is performed with milk, curd, honey and turmeric. Finally, sandal paste is applied to Sri Malayappa Swami and consorts. The duration of the seva is about one hour.
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Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva
Every day evening at 5:30 p.m. Sahasra deepalankarana seva is performed in the Unjal mantapam located on the south eastern corner of the Srivari Temple.
Sri malayappa swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken out in procession to the mantapa, where one thousand wick lamps are lit. In the midst of vedic chanting and singing of Annamaya Sankirtanas, the Lord seated aon an unjal is rocked gently. The grihasthas who purchased tickets for performance of this seva are given Vastra bahumanam.
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Ekanta Seva
Ekanta Seva is the last ritual among the daily sevas. Sarvadarsanam comes to a close with Ekanta Seva. Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi, the silvar image of the main deity is seated in the Sayana Mantapam in a golden cot. During Ekanta seva, a descendant on Annamacharya sings lullabies to put the Lord to sleep. This seva is also known as panupu seva. Tarigonda vengamamba's harati (in a plate inlaid with one of the dasavataras on each day with pearls) is offered to the Lord. Bhoga Srinivasa occupies the cot for eleven months in a year and in the twelfth month of Dhanurmasa (Margali) Sri Krishna is put to sleep.

Periodical Sevas Description

Vasanthotsavam
It is a three - day festival conducted at Tirumala on the days of Tryodasi, Chaturdasi and Pournimi in the month of chitra (March / April). On all the days, Sri Malayappa Swami and His Consorts ate taken round in procession and brought to the vasanta mantapam, where Abhishekam is done. On the Third day, Sri Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya and Sri Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama are also taken out in procession and brought to the vasanta mantapam.


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Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam
Koil Alwar means 'Holy Shrine'. The main purpose of performing koil Tirumanjanam is purification of sanctum santorum and temple premises. During the cermony all the murtis and other articles are removed from santum santorum and the mula murti is covered with water- proof covering. The entire garbhafriham, including floors, ceilings and walls are then cleaned and brushed well eith plenty of water. The whole place is then smeared with kunkum, champor, sandal paste, saffron, turmeric etc. as disincecant. the covering of the main deity is then removed and the deities, deepam and other articles are replaced inside. Purificatory pujas and Naivedyams are the offered to thedeity. This ceremony performed strictly as per the agamas is conducted in a year four times: (1) before Ugadi (2) before Anivara Asthanam (3) before Vaikunta Eakadasi (4) before Annual Brahmotsavam.


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Pavithrotsavam

The object of this festival is expiation of the sins of omission and commission arising in the dailu worship and other religious rites performed in the temple. It is therfore a purificatory ceremony. The anual pavitrotsavam of Lord Venkateswara is held at tirumala for three days from the Dasami of the Suklapaksha in the month of sravanam (August). The divine energy which permeates from the holy temple is recharged by the recitation of mantaras, vedic chantings, recitaitions of the prabandham and performance of homams. the deity is later decorated with pavitrotsavam garlands dued in five colours looking like a garland of beads. . This cermony is held for three days.
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Pushpa Yagam
This ceremony is performed in the month after annual Brahmotsavam on the asterism of Sravanam. Ankurarpanam is done prior to the Pushpayagam. On this day morning after the daily pujas, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are seated. After offering Tirumanjanam to the utsava murtis worshop is done to them with a large variey of flowers. provvession takes place in the evening.
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Teppotsavam
Every year during Phalguna Pournami, this festival is celebrated on a grand scale in the Swami Pushkarini for five days. On the first day, Lord Rama with Sita and Lakshmana is offered worship. On the second day, Sri krishna and Rukmini are offered puja. During the remaining three days beginnig with Trayodadi and ending with Pournami, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are worshopped. The utsava murtis are impressively decorated on thehse days and taken on a beautiful float specially erected in the Pushkarini. Arjita seva ticket holders can have darsan of the Lord after the festival.
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Abhideyaka Abhishekam
No day passes off at Tirumala without on festival or other. Hence,all days are auspicious at the abode of Lord Srinivasa. Abhdyeka Abhishekam is one such festival which emphasises the incomparahle flory of Lord Srinivasa. The essential purpose of this abhishekam is to protect the Utsava deities - Sri Malayappaswami, Sridevi and Bhudevi from damage which might occur while conducting processions and Tirumanjanam.
As the festival is performed in the month of Jyesta (July) when the star Jyesta is in ascendant, it is also called as Juestabhishekam. This is a three-day festival. After the second bell, Sri Malayappaswami with Sridevi and Bhudevi is brought to the kalyanotsava mantapa in the Sampingi Pradakshina. After the Snapana Tirumanjanam on the first day, Vajrakavacham (armour studded with daimonds) is adorned to the deities and they are taken out in procession along the temple streets. On the second day after snapana Tirumanjanam, the deities dressed up with the Muthyala kavcham (the coat of pearls), are taken out in procession with all praphernalia. the deities are splendidly adroned with svarna kavacham (the armour of gold) on the third day. Throughout the year, the utsavamurtis put on the resplendent Svarna kavacham to the delight of the devotees.
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Padmavathi Parinayam
This festival is celebrated in May. The specially arranged Kalyana Mandapam in the Narayanagiri gardens is the venue of the celstial wedding of Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavathi. Pomp and gaiety mark this three - day celebration performed in the evening. 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, Asva and Garuda Vahanas while Sridevi and Bhudevi arrive on separate palanquins. Every day after the wedding in the Kalayana Mandapam 'Koluvu' is held. A number of cultural proframmes like Harikatha, dance and music take place. Later the Lord along with Sridevi and Bhudevi return to the temple. thus, the three-day long grand wedding cermony comes to a close. Devotees who purchase tickets for the wedding cermony performed each day can take part in this annual seva.
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Pushpa Pallaki
As per the tradition folleowd by the Devasthanams, temple accounts begin from Dakshinayana (winter solstice) in July. Anivara Asthanam, the grand durbar festival of Lord Venkateswara, is celebrated on that day (usually on Julu 16).
On this day the previous year's accounts are submitted to the Lord and begins a new financial yaea 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 cermony 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 procession on a richly decorated floral palanquin. It is a remarkable spectacle for devotees who patircipate in this arjita seva to see and enjoy the majestic presence of the Lord. Sri Malayappa Swami and His consorts are wxquistely adorned with ornaments and garlands during this seva.

Weekly Sevas Description

Visesha Puja (On Mondays)
Every Monday after second bell the utsava vigraha is brought to the mantapa for 'Chaturdasa kalasa visesha puja' i.e. 14 kalasas. After seeking Sri Malayappa Swami's permission ankurarpana and punyaha vachanam take place. As Panchasukatas are recited, Tirumanjanam is done to the utsava murtis starting with milk, water, curds, chandana and water. At the conclusion of the abhisheka arati is offered to mark the cumination of the seva. Purnahuti is offered to herald the conclusion of the homa. Naivedya is offered to God. The arkita Seva ticket holders are then given vastra bahumanam.
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Ashtadala - Pada Padmaaradhana (On Tuesdays)
This seva is conducted after the second bell. This ritual was first intorduced in Srivari Temple in 1984 when a muslim devotte offered Lord Srinivasa 108 gold lotuses. The archaka commences the puja by offering dhupa and dipa to the main deity. Then he recites the Dvadasa names of the Lord. While uttering each name of the Lord, one golden lotus is offered at the feet of the lord. On completion of the archana for the mula murti archana offered for Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati. Later. Ratha arati is offered first, folleowed by ordinary arati. During this special service, the arjita ticket holders are seated in the Antrala corridor i.e. between the Kulasekhara padi and Bangaru Vakili.
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Sahasra Kalasabhishekam (on Wednesdays)
This arjita (paid) seva is observed before the second bell is over in the morning.
One thousand silver vessels filled with parimala thirtham (pure water perfumed with sandal paste etc.) are placed on abed of paddy. They are homas. Thirumanjana abhishekam is hen done to Bhoga Srinivasa, Malayappa Swami, His consorts and Sri Visvaksena. Then in the sanctum, Ekanta ashtottara - archana is offered to the main Deity. Then in the presence of temple officers akshataropana takes place. this the occasion, when Bhoga srinivasa Murti crosses Bangaru Vakili. Even on the occasion the silk cord cennecting the Bhoga Murti with the Dhruva Beram (Main Deity) is maintained.
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Tiruppavada Seva (On Thursdays)
Every Thursday after sattumari, Tiruppavada seva takes place in Tirumamani mantapam. This service consist of cooking a large quantity of rice as pulihora and offering it to the Lord along with other sweet preparations such as payasam, laddu, jilebi, thenthola, appam etc. The cooked rice is heaped up in mukha mantapam to take definite customary primidal trapezoid shape and the delicacies are deposited thereon with coconuts, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, deepam and is offered to the Lord with appropriate mantras.
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Abhishekam (On Fridays)
Abhishekam is done to the mulavigraha (presiding deity) first with water brought from Akasaganga (Suddodakam). The holy water is poured on the Deity through a conch covered with gold. after water the Deity is bathed in milk, folleowe again in water. Then the Lord is anointed with mixture of chandana, saffron and refined champhor. It is followed with a bath in water. The holy saffron tirumanjanam tirtha is collected in a silver vessel for later distribution to devotees. After that ahe Goddess on God's chest receives abhisheka. Abhisheka is traditionally done to the chanting of Purusha sukta, Narayana sukta, srisukta, Nila sukta and select prabandhas.

Sarvadarsanam

Sarvadarsanam means 'darshan for all'. The timings for Sarvadarsanam are different on different days of the week. Please refer the weekly temple programme for the timings.
On normal days, about 18 hours are allotted for Sarvadarsanam and on peak days, it is open for 20 hours.
Around 50,000 pilgrims visit the main temple every day.

Vaikuntam Queue Complex

The entrance for darshan is through the Vaikuntam Queue Complex. The complex is a series of inter-connected halls that leads to the main temple. An efficient queue system ensures that pilgrims move in an orderly fashion through the Queue Complex, towards the main temple.

The halls in the Queue Complex are clean, spacious and airy.TTD provides a wide range of facilities in the Queue Complex:

* Canteens selling food packets at subsidised rates.
* The Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Corporation selling fresh milk
* Medical aid
* Sale of photographs, calendars and other TTD publications
* Toilets
* losed Circuit Television, through which devotional programmes and music are relayed
* Cloak rooms near the Vaikuntam Queue Complex entrance
* Places where footwear can be deposited, free of cost (at the entrance)

There are officers to look after the facilities in the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, regulate the queues and attend to complaints.

Special Darshan

The entrance for Special Darshan is through the PPC (Queue Complex). The queue merges with the Sarvadarsanam queue at Bangaruvakili. Pilgrims who use this queue will have a shorter waiting time.

There are two categories of special darshan, with tickets costing Rs. 40.00 and Rs. 50.00 per head.

The darshan timings are the same as that for Sarvadarsanam.

Sudarsanam Token System

The Sudarsanam token system was introduced to minimise the waiting time for Sarvadarsanam, Special Darshan and other paid darshan/sevas. Some of its features:

* The tokens are available free of cost at the First Choultry (opposite the TiruRailway Station), Second Choultry (behind the Railway Station), Alipiri Bus Stand, Tirupati, Vaikuntam Queue Complex, Pilgrim Amenities Centre (Near CRO) and near the Rambagicha Guest House in Tirumala.

* The time of darshan is indicated on the tokens.

* Pilgrims can enter the Vaikuntam Queue Complex at Tirumala at the time indicated on the tokens

* They can have darshan within two hours of entering the Queue Complex.

* As this system saves on waiting time, it provides pilgrims with enough time to visit temples in the vicinity like Sri Govindarajaswami Temple and Kapila Teertham at Tirupati, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple at Tiruchanur and Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram.

* To help TTD keep a track of the number of pilgrims and ensure their smooth flow, one token is issued per head. Collective tokens for groups are not issued.

Some precautions for you to take:
* Collect your Sudarsanam token only from TTD-run counters. Tokens issued by others are not valid.

* Keep the token tied to your wrist till you finish darshan.

* Do not exchange tokens.

* Do not trust touts.

Special Darshan for the Physically Disabled and the Aged

This special darshan is arranged for the physically disabled and the aged through a separate gate at the Maha Dwaram,the main temple entrance. If necessary, such pilgrims can be accompanied by an attendant.

TTD FAOMUS PRASADAM LADDU WHY

Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam applies for global recognition for famous prasadam
If all goes well the world famous Tirupathi laddu, sold as prasadam of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala, will soon have a geographical indication mark protecting its unique identity from counterfeiters.
The move which has been in the making for quite some time now took a step forward with the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) making a formal application to the Chennai based Directorate of Geographical Indications recently, an official familiar with the process said.
The Tirupathi laddu is so famous and sought after that instances of its black marketing are common as also instances of counterfeit laddus being sold. The Sri Venkateswara Nitya Laddu Danam Scheme, where pilgrims are given one 25 grams laddu free of cost, was started in 1981. This apart any extra laddus have to be bought at a price.
An estimated 1.50 lakh laddus, made of besan, sugar, oil, cardamom and dry fruits, are reportedly prepared everyday. In fact a crane is said to be used to lift the ingredients into the sacred kitchen. The application if cleared by a national level committee of experts will follow similar protection and recognition accorded to a host of uniquely Indian products like the Bikaner Bhujia, Agra Petha, Kolhapuri Chappals and Basmati rice.
One of the pre-requisites to qualify for a GI is that a product should be of the finest quality, distinctive in its character and should be made repetitively from a particular region. The Tirupathi Laddu meets all these criteria something which million of devotees of Lord Venkateshwara will vouch for. V Natarajan, assistant registrar of GI, confirmed the TTD had indeed made an application and that it would be taken up soon. However, the committee to accord the permission was yet to be formed. Though the GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act was passed in 1999, the GI Registry was formed only in 2000 for the implementation of the Act.
Lamenting the lack of awareness of the act in the industry, Natarajan observed that though the Act and the registry was in place since 2000 only 126 applications have been received so far of which 67 have been granted to date. According to an official close to the process granting a GI takes up to 18 months from the time of application after a rigorous review.

Why The famous Tirupati laddu

Hyderabad: The famous Tirupati laddu will soon get a geographical indication (GI) tag, making it arguably the first offering at a place of worship anywhere in the world to be recognized as an intellectual property (IP)—in this case, of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a trust that manages the temple at Tirupati.An expert panel appointed by the Registrar of Geographical Indications met at the temple last month to examine the merits of the application and has recommended granting the GI tag to the Tirupati laddu, two persons familiar with the developments said. Neither of them wanted to be named ahead of an announcement to the effect.TTD had sought the GI tag for the laddu under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, after failing to curb sale of counterfeit versions by hawkers seeking to exploit the growing demand from visitors to the temple.The GI status is granted to identify a product as having a specific provenance, and with a certain quality or reputation associated with that origin. Kashmir pashmina, Darjeeling tea and Kancheepuram silk have all been granted GIs. Sweet prospects: A pair of Tirupati laddus. The GI status is granted to identify a product as having a specific provenance, and with a certain quality or reputation associated with that origin.This year has seen a rapid rise in the number of GI registrations. Between September 2003, when the Act came into effect, and April, 61 GIs were registered; since then 21 more have been registered. Of the total, 31 have been granted to handicrafts, 24 to textiles and textile products, six to horticultural and agricultural products, four to painting styles, and two each to tea and coffee.The laddu, made from flour, sugar, ghee (clarified butter), oil, cardamom and dry fruits is sought after by those visiting the temple located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.Archakas, or hereditary priests, in the temple’s kitchen prepare around 50 million laddus every year for around 25 million visitors to the temple. TTD distributes one laddu to each visitor free of charge and sells them at Rs5 apiece.TTD, which approved an annual budget of Rs1,925 crore for 2008-09, had earmarked Rs60 crore for making laddusthis fiscal year, while projecting a revenue of Rs40 crore from their sale. The temple trust is among the richest religious establishments in the country.Fake laddusHawkers in Tirupati have been selling fake laddus and after several futile attempts to curb this practice, including repeated raids by its security and vigilance wings, TTD finally decided to seek legal protection for its laddu. The GI Act imposes a penalty of Rs50,000 along with six months of imprisonment for people infringing a GI.Claiming that its laddu is unique in quality and reputation, TTD submitted details to the GI registrar.