 The Garbha Gruha
or sanctum is where the main idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara
resides.
The idol stands majestically in
the Garbha Gruha, directly beneath a gilt dome called
the Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana.
This exquisitely-wrought idol called
the Mulaberam, is believed to be self-manifested, as
there has been no known sculptor possessing the capability
to sculpt idols so proportionately and beautifully.
Further, no human being is known to have installed it
in the shrine.
Ordinarily, the Lord wears a gold
kiritam which has a large emerald embedded
in front. On special occasions, he is adorned with a
diamond kiritam.
On his forehead, the Lord has a
thick double patch of upwrought namam drawn
with refined camphor, which screens his eyes. In between
the two white patches is a kasturitilakam.
His ears are bedecked with shining
golden makara kundalas. The fist of His raised
right hind hand is implanted with a gem-set chakra,
and the corresponding left fist with the sankhu.
The slightly outstreched front right hand, has its fingers
pointing to His lotus feet, as the only recourse to
His devotees to attain oneness with Him and enjoy eternal
bliss. His front left hand is akimbo to assure His devotees
of protection, and to show that the samsara sagara
is only hip-deep if they seek His refuge.
His body is clothed with a pitambaram
tied with gold string, and a gold belt to which
are attached tiny, jingling gold bells. He is adorned
with precious ornaments. He has a yajnopavita flowing
down cross-wise from His left shoulder. He bears Sri
Lakshmi Devi on His right chest and Sri Padmavathi Devi
on His left chest. He bears Nagabharanam ornaments
on both shoulders.
His lotus feet are covered with
gold frames and decked with clinging gold anklets. A
strong curved belt of gold encompasses his legs.
During Abhishekam, we can
have darshan of Goddess Lakshmi.
The Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana was
covered with gilt copper plates and surmounted with
a golden vase, in the thirteenth century, during the
reign of the Vijayanagara king, Yadava Raya.
Pilgrims are not allowed to enter
the Garbha Gruha (beyond Kurasekara path)
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