Apart from
the daily sevas, the other daily
rituals at the Sri Venkateswara
Temple are:
Weekly Variations
First
Bell
This
is the first Naivedyam (food
offering) to the Lord for the
day. Naivedyam is announced
by ringing the two bells, followed
by Sattumura (recitation of
a few psalms of the Prabandham
by the Jiyangar or his assistant
and the Vaishnava Acharya purushas),
and the distribution of curd-mixed
food among them.
Food is
also offered to Vishwaksena,
Garuda and the Nityasuries.
The ringing of bells and Naivedyam
are popularly known as the First
Bell of the temple.
Second
Bell and Second Archana
The
Second Bell or Aparanhapuja
is the second Naivedyam for
the Lord. It is followed by
a second Archana when the Ashthottaranama
(108 names of the Lord as given
in the Varaha Purana) is read.
This is an ekantam (private)
service, and pilgrims are not
allowed to witness this ritual.
The cherupulu
and panyarams paid
for by devotees are offered
to the Lord. A certain quantity
of the offerings are kept back,
while the rest is returned to
the devotees.
Sarvadarsanam
During
this period, pilgrims can have
darshan of the Lord,
at no cost. Pilgrims are requested
to complete their darshan
as quickly as possible,
to ensure that the queue moves
at a reasonably fast pace.
During Sarvadarsanam,
festivals like Kalyanotsavam,
Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam,
Unjal Seva paid for by grihasthas
are conducted.
Night
Kainkaryams
The
Night Kainkaryams or pujas
comprise the Tomala Seva,
Archana and Naivedyam.
Sadalimpu
or Sallimpu (on Thursdays)
On
Thursday, the rich garments
and ornaments with which Lord
Venkateswara is adorned on the
previous Friday are, to a large
extent, removed and a bare minimum
(dhoti and uttariyam)
is left on His body. This process
is called Sadalimpu or Sallimpu
(loosening or removing). The
Lord is dressed in a laced velvet
gown.
The
kasturi (mark on the
Lord's forehead) is also removed
leaving only a thin mark.
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