Monday 11 February 2013

TTD Different Types(Classification) of Srivari Sevas/Utsavams performed to Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala Temple.

Tirumala Temple is one of the 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desas. The main deity of the temple is Sri Venkateswara Swamy. It is said that in Tirumala, there are 433 festivals celebrated in a year of 365 days in the form of Sevas, Utsavams and Festivals. All these festivals are performed by following the tenets prescribed in the Vaikhanasa agama texts. 

Many of  the Sevas/Utsavams are authenticated by the epigraphical records of this holy temple proving that the rituals observed today have a hoary antiquity. The Epigraphical records of the Tirumala temple have been recorded very carefully methodically and in a systematic manner and published by TTD.

Meaning(Definition) of Utsavah:
The term Utsava defined as "Ut" means "Removes" and "Savah" means "Ocean of worldly sorrows". It means to cross this ocean of sorrows.

Classification of Sevas/Utsavams:
All the festivals  performed in the Tirumala Temple are classified into four types.
1) Daily Sevas/Utsavams(Nityotsavams)
2)Weekly Sevas/Utsavams(Varotsavams)
3)Nakshatra Utsavams[These are not Arjitha Sevas]
4)Annual Sevas/Utsavams(Samavasarotsavams)

Daily Sevas:
The Sevas start with Suprabatha Seva in the early morning and ends with Ekantha Seva late in the night in a day are known as Daily Sevas.
1) Suprabhatha Seva
2)Thomala Seva
3)Koluvu(This is not an Arjitha Seva)
4)Sahasranama Archana
5)Kalyanotsavam
6)Dolotsavam(Unjal Seva)
7)Arjitha Brahmotsavam
8)Vasanthotsavam
9)Sahasra Deepalankara Seva
10)Ekantha Seva

Weekly Sevas(Vishesha Sevas):
The Sevas which are performed to Sri Venkateswara Swamy once in a week are called Weekly Sevas.
1)Vishesha Pooja (Monday)
2)Ashtadhala Pada Padmaaradhana(Tuesday)
3)Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam(Wednesday)
4)Thirupavada and Poolangi Seva(Thursday)
5)Abhishekam for the Mula Virat(Friday)
6)Nija pada Darshan(Friday)
7)Melchat Vastram

Annual Sevas:
The Sevas/Utsavams which are celebrated once in a year are called Annual Sevas.
1)Teppotsavam[Float Festival](March)
2)Vasanthotsavam(March/April)
3)Jyethabhishekam[Abhideka Abhishekam](May/June)
4)Pavitrotsavam(July/August)
5)Sri Padmavathi Parinayam
6)Pushpa Pallaki
7)Puspa Yagam
8)Srivari Annual Brahmotsavams
9)Anivara Asthanam
10)Koil Alwar Thirumanjam(performed 4times in a year)
11)Deepavali Asthanam
12)Paruveta Utsavam
13)Utla Utsavam
14)Adhyanotsavams(Dhanurmasa Festival Celebrations)