Pujas and Sevas at Tirupati Balaji Temple

There is a long list of pujas & sevas that takes place at Tirumala Venkateshwar Temple. All the rituals are organized authentically by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams who manages the temple. The pujas happen on daily, weekly and periodic basis as per Vaikhanasa Agama. Devotees are allowed to see and perform only few of the rituals.

Daily Rituals

• Suprabhata Seva : It is an early morning ritual that is offered to Lord Venkateshwar. This puja is done inside Santum Sanctorum to wake up the Lord. 70 slokas are chanted during the seva.
• Thomala Seva : It is a 30 minutes seva that is held after Suprabhata Seva. In this puja, deity is decorated with garlands made of different flowers and tulsi leaves. The garlands are brought by the Jeeyangar (chief pointiff) and his disciplines (Ekangi).
• Koluvu : Koluvu is a private puja offered at the early hours to Koluvu Srinivasa idol placed at the sanctum of the temple. Only the temple priests (archakas) can take part in this puja as some prime things are recited amidst the idols.
• Kalyanotsavam : This is a beautiful seva that celebrates the ritual of marriage. Many couples take part in this auspicious ritual. Kalyanotsavam puja is offered to Utsava Murti-Sri Malayappa Swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. The puja is done by the temple priests on behalf of the bridegroom.
• Arjita Brahmotsavam : This daily poja is done in the Vaibhavotsava Mantapam section of the temple. In the puja, first reverence is paid to Sri Malayappa Swami seated on Garuda Vahanam and then to Hanumanta Vahanam & Peddasesha Vahanam. Each ticket permits only one person to participate in the puja. On completion of this puja, ticket holder can have darshan of the main deity.
• Arjita Vasanthotsavam : Arjita Vasanthotsavam seva is presented by the temple priests to the Sri Malayappa swami and his consorts –Sridevi and Bhudevi. Various steps are performed during this puja. First scents are applied to the deities, than pundits chant Purusha Suktam, Narayana Suktam, Shri Suktam and Bhu Suktam. Next, Abhishekam is carried out which Lord and his consorts are bathed with sacred water, honey, milk, curd and turmeric. After the scared bath, sandal paste is applied on the deities and adorned with garlands of tulsi leaves. In the end water is poured on the deities through perforated plates. Devotees are allowed to take part in this puja only if they hold a valid ticket.
• Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva : This is the only puja that is performed outside the temple. In this seva 1000 divas are lited up and Sri Malayappa Swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken out in procession along the four streets surrounding the temple. Devotees can witness the puja after buying the ticket.
• Ekanta Seva : Before the temple gets close, Ekanta Seva is offered to Lord Venkateshwara. Garlands are removed and milk, almonds, fruits are given to the Lord. Bhoga Srinivasa idol is placed in sleeping position on a gold Uyyala (temporary bed).

Weekly Rituals

• Vishesha Pooja (Monday) : This puja takes place on every Monday after the second bell. In the puja, 14 kalasas are offered to utsava murthy. Out of these fourteen vessels, seven vessels contain oil, curd, milk, ghee, yellow grains, darbha & panchagavya and the rest seven contain sacred water (suddhodaka).
• Asthadala Pada Padmaradhana (Tuesday) : It is a special puja in which 108 golden lotus flowers are offered. First, archaka offers dhoopa and deepa. Then 108 names of the Lord are recited. With the recitation of each name one Lotus flower is offered at the sacred feet of the Lord. Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati are also worshipped in this seva.
• Sahasra Kalasabhishekam (Wednesday) : This puja is performed in the morning after the second bell at Bangaru Vakili to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi, Sri Malayappa Swami and his consorts. In this ritual, water in 1008 Kalasas (sacred water with the scent of sandal paste), eight Parivara Kalasas and one golden vessel filled with water is offered at Mantapam in front of Bangaru Vakili. Pancha Suktas and Pancha Shanti Mantras are also recited by the temple priests.
• Triuppavada Seva (Thursday) : It is a very interesting seva in which a large quantity of ‘Pulhihora’ (tamarind cooked rice) is poured on a silver tray and kept straight in front of the Lord. Then mantras are chanted and Naamam (scented camphor paste put across different forms of Vishnu) is removed. The lord is adorned with a new thin Naamam on the forehead to cover the area between his eyebrows. This puja is done because it is believed that the first gaze of the Lord is so powerful that it should not fall on the mortals. Pulhihora is placed so that the first gaze of the Lord falls on it and it will protect the devotees.
• Poolangi Seva (Thursday) : Poolani Seva is a simple puja is which the main deity is decked with various flower garlands from top to bottom. Other deities are also adorned with garlands and aarti is offered.
• Abhishekam (Friday) : This seva is offered early morning at 3:30 AM. Temple priests give sacred bath to the main deity with water, milk, turmeric, sandal paste and much more. While offering the puja, various prayers are recited.
• Vasthralakarana Seva (Friday) : In this puja, on every Friday temple priest adorn the deity of Venkateshwara with new saree (given by the devotee participating in the seva), few jewelry and Namam is applied. A devotee is not allowed to see this ritual.
• Nijapada Darshanam( Friday) : In this seva devotees can see the feet of the Lord. Golden Kavacham that usually covers the feet of the Lord during this seva is left uncovered.

Pujas and Sevas Timings at Tirumula Venkateshwar Temple