More tirupathi facts

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Hare Srinivasa

More facts on Tirupathi’s Utsava Muruthis:

 

Kautuka Bera: He is made of Silver and is generally known as Bhoga Srinivasa. He was the 1st Utsava Mruthi of Srinivasa given to the temple by the Pallava princess Samavai(daughter of a Pallava chieftan and wife of the chief of the Kadava tribe,feudatory of the Pallava prince, Mahendra Varman I) in 614A.D. She was the 1st to arrange the Bramhotsava too. The conduct of various Utsavas, the number of which swelled in course of more than 400 in a year, began at the instance of this lady, Samavai! Koutuka bera is placed in the sanctum with silk chords and golden links connected with the main deity.

Bali Bera: He is also called Koluvu Srinivasa. The image is kept in the sanctum and the time or the person who got this made is not known. Koluvu is the darbar that is held everyday after thomala Seva. The idol is placed on siver thrown. Sahasra nama seva is done. Then an account of the collections in the hundi on the previous day, the details of the panchanga are presented to Him. Also the daily ration of rice for the priests are made front of Him. The expression of Bali bera is not justified since he is not taken round the Vimana pradakshina during Yatrasana or Bali harana.

Sanapana Bera: He is called as Ugra Srinivasa. He is 1.5 feet in height.Again this idol is not used for daily bath as indicated by the name. It is Koutuka bera that participates in the abhisheka. This idol served as the Utsava Bera or processional image before the present Malayappa was introduced in the 14th C. in former days when Ugra Srinivasa was used as the processional image it is said that fire broke out causing a lot of damage and distress. So now He is taken out only once a year before dawn in a hurried procession after the customary abhisheka. Care is taken that sun light doesn’t fall on Him. This image is said to be the exact replica of the main idol, but the Chakra is held in a posture ready to be used.This is what makes Him ugra.

Utsava Bera: He is the famaous Malayappa Swamy we all get to see during Bramhotsvam. There are now about 450 utsavas to be conducted in 365 days of the year. So this Utsava Bera is kept busy throughout the year. He is around 3feet in height and made of Panchaloha.He is not an exact replica of the main deity regarding ornaments and proportions. This icon appears to be a Chola work.

There are in total 5 beras including the main deity called Dhruva Bera out of which only Utsava Bera and Snapana bera have consorts.

There are two groups of idols, the Rama group which includes Rama, Sita, Lakshmana,Hanuman, Sugriva and Angada and the Krishna group which includes Krishna & Rukmini. The Krishna idol replaces Koutuka Bera in Ekanta Seva during DhanurMasa.

You can find detailed description and more information in Sri.S.K.Ramachandra Rao’s book titled " The Hill-Shrine of Vengadam". It is a great book to read.

"Venkatesha Samo Devo Na Bhuto Na Bhavishyati"

Dilip

 

 

 

 

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