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Quarterly Tirumala temple purification underway as Tirupati laddu row rages

A cleansing and purification ritual was performed at the Srivari temple in Tirumala on Tuesday morning. The cleansing ritual was performed across the temple premises even as the row surrounding the alleged adulteration of the Tirupati ‘laddu’ rages on in Andhra Pradesh.
This ceremony, which is part of the Brahmotsavam festivities, is aimed at purifying and sanctifying the temple. The ritual took place on Tuesday morning, covering various parts of the temple.
The Brahmotsavam is set to begin on October 4 and will conclude on October 14, with the Chakrasnanam.
The cleansing ritual called Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam, is a customary ritual performed four times a year. This elaborate cleaning ritual is traditionally held before major festivals such as Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and Brahmotsavam to cleanse and purify the temple premises.

During this process, the Anandanilayam, Bangaruwakili, sub-temples, ‘prasadam’ preparation centre, the walls, roof and adornments around the temple premises, along with the worship items are thoroughly cleaned.
The ritual is named after the components: ‘koil’ which means temple, ‘alwar’ which means devotee, ‘thiru’ which means sacred and ‘manjanam’ which means bath. The ritual signifies the cleansing of the sanctum sanctorum and the entire temple complex by devotees.
During the ‘koil alwar thirumanjanam’, the main idol of Lord Venkateswara, also known as the Srivari Moolavirattu, is covered with a sacred cloth to prevent it from being affected by the cleaning.
Scented water is then sprinkled from the innermost sanctum to the seventh porch, including the Vimana Venkateswara Swamy idol atop the ‘Ananda Nilayam’.
On Tuesday, after the fragrant water was sprinkled on all idols, the cloth covering the idol was removed and then special poojas were conducted to complete the purification ritual. Devotees were then allowed darshan following the offering of naivedyam (offering freshly prepared food as an expression of gratitude, love and surrender) to the deity.
The scented water used during the purification ritual is a mixture of special ingredients, including powder made of camphor, turmeric, saffron, sandalwood, kumkum and tulsi (holy basil) and other sacred flowers.
The fragrance that fills the temple premises during this process is meant to enhance the divine atmosphere, creating a delightful sensory experience for the devotees. The temple body, Tirupati Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), ensures that all these rituals are meticulously organized for the deity, who is known to be a connoisseur of decoration and beauty.
The ‘Koil alwar thirumanjanam’ ritual took place from 6am to 10am on Tuesday morning, with TTD executive officer (EO) J. Shyamala Rao, additional EO CH Venkaiah Chaudhary, and deputy officer Lokanatham along with other temple officials participating in the programme.

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