- Tirumala Dhruva Bera is the name given to the idol of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh.
- The Immobile image and as the name suggests, the idol is stationary and
other idols are used for pujas, sevas that requires the deity's presence
outside the garbha griham (sanctum sanctorum).
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Idols |
- Dhruva Bera is the official terminology used for the main deity of a temple with the exact translation being Other terms used for Dhruva Bera include Moolavar or Moola Virat (Main Deity), Achala (Main).
- Tirumala Dhruva Bera is considered to be Swayambhu - self-manifested and not created by human. According to Sri Venkatachala Mahatyam, Lord Venkateswara came to reside in this sacred spot to provide blessings to devotees in the Kali Yuga.
- The idol does not conform to the agamas (rules) for making a deity, thus furthering the belief that the temple's idol is Swayambhu.
Seva to idol :
Daily seva
- The lord gets complete attention during most of the rituals conducted in the garbha griha. After, the lord is woken up during the Suprabhatam Seva, Suddhi (cleansing) is done by removal of flowers from the previous day and apportionment of holy water bought from Akasa Ganga thirtam for the day's prayer.
- During Tomala Seva, the gold kavacham (armour) of the feet is removed and abhishekam is done daily to it. Bhoga Srinivasa, the Kautuka beram of the temple receives full abhishekam every day in lieu of the Dhruva bera. Sahasranamarchana - recital of 1,000 names of Lord Srinivasa is performed to the main deity after the completion of Tomala seva. Naivedyam (food offerings) are made thrice during the day and is preceded by recital from various scriptures.
- Following the first naivedyam (also called First Bell), verses from Prabandham is read. Before the mid-day and second naivedyam (also called Second Bell), Ashthottaranama (108 names of the Lord) is read and this is a private service.
- The rituals of Tomala Seva, Archana and Naivedyam is conducted in the evening after Malayappa swami returns from Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva and is called Night Kainkaryams.
- Naivedyam is offered to other idols only after apportionment of the same to the main deity.
Weekly sevas :
- Apart from these daily sevas, Ashtadala Pada Padmaaradhana Seva is conducted every Tuesday after the second bell. During the ceremony, the priests reads each of the 108 names of the Lord while offering a gold lotus to the feet of the lord after the recital of the name.
- On completion of archana for the lord's consorts, two kinds of arati is shown to the Lord.
- On Thursdays, Tiruppavada Seva is performed to Dhruva bera in the Tirumamani mantapam inside the sanctum sanctorum.
- During the seva, large quantities of pulihora (tamarid rice) heaped in trapeziodal or pyramidal shape along with sweetmeats like payasam, laddus, jilebis, appam deposited on the edges is offered to the Lord with appropriate mantras.
- On Fridays, Abhishekam is performed accomponied by the chanting of pancha suktas (five suktas - Purusha Suktam, Sri Suktam, Narayana Suktam, Bhu Suktam and Nila Suktam) and prabhandams.
Labels: Andhra Pradesh