Welcome to Adiyen Sri Ramanuja Dasan !
" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
Holy Pranams & Thanks to Sri. Ramakrishna Deekshitulu, a hereditary Temple priest of Tirumala, Lord Venkateswara Swamy's Priest who really touches and offers puja to the feet of Lord Balaji, the information provided will be authentic and practical for his contribution ih his words. we are grateful to swamy for his grace for showering us with the divine knowledge and a providing us a great sat sang. Following questions are asked by the devotees which are answered by swamy.
1. Q.: The photo which is usually circulated, mentioning that it is of Lord Venkateswara which is taken long back when camera was allowed, is this true ?
Ans.: The photo which has gained popularity as picturised in Srivari Temple, Tirumala is actually photographed at Saradhi Studios, Hyderabad.It was originally made while shooting the old telugu movie 'Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam' (the popular song 'seshashaila vasa.. sri venkatesa..' by Ghantasala from this movie) directed by C.Pullaiah and NTR is hero.At that time the Archakas at Tirumala were consulted to make a set of idol very near to original one. In recent times that set is built again as it is damaged a bit and the photo u saw is that only. Never in the history of Tirumala Temple photography is allowed and not be the same in future also.
2. Q.: What are the famous/different alankaram of Swami varu that we get to see occasionally at Tirumala (I have seen in other temples where Lord Venkatesware is sometimes decorated with Aayudham like gadha etc.
Ans.:The different Alankarams that u find thru the week are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday the Alankaram is normal, on Thursday Morning all the Jewels are removed and the namam is cut so as to see the eyes and this darsan is called 'Nethra Darsanam'. And in the Evening the idol is decorated with full of flowers called 'Poolangi Seva'. Friday, Saturday, Sunday normal. And in Festival days like Diwali, Ugadi, Brahmotsavams, Vaikunta Ekadasi all the Jewels made with diamonds are adorned to the idol. This is called 'Vishesha Samarpana. In everyday Alankarams only three of the holy weapons of Lord Vishnu i.e., Sudarsana Chakram, Panchajanya Sankham, Nandaka Khadgam is adorned. There's no practice here to use the other two weapons like Kaumodaki Gadha, Saarangam Dhanussu.
3. Q.: How tall is the Lord Venkateswara's Idol at Tirumala?
Ans.: Lord Venkateswara's idol is approximately 7 feet tall.
4. Q.: I have seen a photograph in TTD museaum; when it used to be opposite to the temple. The photograph contains Foot prints; and it was mentioned that the footprints are treated as Lords footprints since the same are as big as of a human being of 7 feet height. Where exactly this place can be in Tirumala hills.
Ans.: see footprints in Narayanagiri hills.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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