Pre-Brahmotsavam rituals begin in Tirumala Tirupati, Sept 7 (INN): Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) conducted the auspicious ceremony of the Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam, the holy ritual of cleaning the temple of Lord Venkateswara ahead of the Salakatla Brahmotsavam beginning on September 11. The entire Srivari temple complex was cleaned with saffron, camphor, turmeric, sandal paste and organic cleaning material like cow dung and ganga jal. Hundreds of temple staff and interested devotees participated in the rituals along with the EO IYR Krishna Rao which commenced at early hours on Tuesday.
The Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is held mostly on Tuesdays preceding the major festival eventsw like Ugadi, Anivara Asthananam, Salakatla Brahmotsavam and the Vaikunta Ekadasi. Koil Alwar means 'Holy Shrine'.
The main purpose of performing koil Tirumanjanam is purification of sanctum sanctorum and temple premises. During the ceremony all the idols and other articles are removed from sanctum sanctorum and the mula murti is draped with water- proof covering. The entire garbha griham, including floors, ceilings and walls were n cleaned and brushed well with plenty of water. The whole place is then smeared with kumkum, champor, sandal paste, saffron, turmeric etc as disinfectant.
The covering of the main deity is then removed and the deepam and other articles are also cleaned replaced inside the sanctum sanctorum. After the exercise is over the priests conduct purification pujas and Naivedyams is offered to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara .
This ceremony performed strictly as per the agamas. The TTD officials said the public darshan of Lord Venkteswara was suspended to facilitate the Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam ceremony and commenced after the completion of the holy cleaning exercise.
News Posted: 7 September, 2010
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