The Sanctorum 'Ananda Nilayam' has a glittering gold covered 'Vimana'
and gold covered gates guard the sanctum sanctorum. The rulers of all
the great dynasties of the southern peninsula have been ardent devotees
and paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine.
The approach to the temple is through mango groves and
sandal wood forest and devotees chanting 'Govinda' or 'Om Namo Venkatesaya'
reach the top where the temple is situated. The daily program starts
with 'Suprabhatam' (awakening the Lord) at three in the morning and end
with the 'Ekanta Seva' (putting the Lord to sleep) at one in the night.
Daily, Weekly and Periodical sevas and utsavams are performed to the Lord. Pilgrims
can choose from the list and pay to get the 'Sevas' or 'Utsavams' done
on their name. Anointing the idol with camphor, saffron and musk and the
offering of their hair by pilgrims are important customs performed.
A bath in the 'Swami Pushkarini' tank, adjacent to the temple is believed
to cleanse devotees of their sins. A consecrated sweet is distributed
as 'prasadam' to about 50,000 pilgrims on festival days. The pilgrims
visit and pay homage to Adivaraha idol in the Sri Varaha Swami Temple,
situated on the banks of the tank before visiting Sri Venkateswara Temple.
The devotees stand in line for hours together to obtain
a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few fleeting seconds. Different
darshans are arranged for the convenience of the pilgrims, the 'Sarvadarshan'
-'darshan for all', free of cost, timings differ on different week days,
Special darshan (paid darshan), 'Sudarshanam' -free or paid darshan's
using a token system minimizing the waiting time) and special darshan
for the physically disabled and the aged.
Brahmotsavam, the most important of the various festivals
of the temple, is conducted usually in Bhadrapada i.e., in September for
about 9 days. On account of Adika Masam, which comes in every third year,
the Brahmotsavam celebrated then is especially grand and held under the
name 'Navarathri Brahmotsavam'. The 'Garudotsavam' and the temple car
festival 'Rathotsavam' is particularly popular. These Brahmotsavams attract
thousands of pilgrims from various parts of the country.
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