Kalyanotsavam in Tirumala Temple

Kalyanotsavam in Tirumala Temple.. We could have noticed the divine marriage of Lord Lord Srinivasa, the god of seven hills, along with Ma Padmavathi in various pictures in the temples of Lord Vishnu, and it is believed that this divine marriage took place during the beginning of the Kali Yuga, that is approximately 5,000 years back.

Tirumala Kalyanotsavam Seva Procedure and Darshan details.

The devotee must report at Supradam entrance by 10:30 am. Even late entry devotees are allowed to participate in the Seva. But they will not get the chance to view the Seva in total.

Tirumala Kalyanotsavam Timings

• Report at Supadam Entrance: 10:30 am
• The devotees are allowed to pass thru Separate line.
• Don’t forget the collect Upper cloth and Blouse piece
• The devotee must remove Shirt and Vest before entering the Mandapam.
• The devotees are allowed to sit on the floor.
• Seva starting time: 12:00 pm
• Seva duration: 1 hour
• Seva Ending Time: 1:00 pm
• Later the devotees are allowed to have Darshan.

Kalyanotsavam Tirumala marks the hour-long celestial wedding ritual performed according to Vaikasa Agama Sastra for the Utsava Murthis of the Lord along with His consorts, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi in the Kalyana Mandapam. The priest conducts the marriage and an Archaka is consecrated to perform other rituals on behalf of the bridegroom.

The idols of the Lord and His brides face each other with a screen in between them. After the priests perform appropriate Homam, the bridegroom and the brides are allowed to see each other at the appropriate auspicious moment as the screen is removed. This is followed by Mangala sutra Dharana, Tahlambralu and then Lord and his consorts are garlanded.

Description of Kalyanotsavam in Tirumala

Agni Pratishta: Then follows Agni Pratista wherein the pious Agni is lit and Prayaschitta Homam is performed.

Vastra Samarpana: After the Agni Pratistha new set of silk Vastrams were offered to deities. (The Lord and Goddesses will be seated separately on two different Asans as they are yet to tie the holy wedding knot)

Maha Sankalpam: Then the important phase of the ritual, Maha Sankalpam is performed wherein the descendant of Tallapaka family (the family which dedicated their lives in the service of Lord Venkateswara since last 600 years) performed Kanyadanam on behalf of Goddesses.

Kanyadanam: In any Hindu Marriage, Kanyadanam occupies a prominent place. Here the Gotra Pravaras of Lord and His Consorts were recited by the priests
Bharadwaja Gotram – Lord Venkateswara
Bhargava Gotram     – Goddess Sri Devi
Kasyapa Gotram       – Goddess Bhu Devi

Mangalya Dharana Mahotsavam: The Divine Wedding Ceremony comes to a grand end with, Mangalya Dharana where the Lord Venkateswara tied the Holy Mangala Sutrams to His beloved Consorts.

Varana Mayiram: This is a prominent and most entertaining phase usually performed during South Indian Hindu Weddings. The Lord and His Consorts played with floral balls and coconuts facing each other. (Here the priests and Tallapaka descendent perform this ritual on behalf of the deities). After this, the garlands of deities are also exchanged.

Aarti: After the conclusion of the pleasant “Love Game”, the Consorts are seated on either side of Lord, with Sridevi taking the Right side and Bhudevi occupying the left place of Maha Simhasanam. Now Karpoora Aarati, Nakshatra Aarati and Maha Aarti were rendered marking the grand ending of the Celestial Wedding Ceremony of Lord Malayappa Swamy with His two Consorts-Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.

History of Kalyanotsavam in Tirumala

There are no inscriptions relating to Kalyanotsavam till 1546. It was first introduced by Talapakka Tirumalayyangar. At that time, Kalyanotsavam was conducted in the Tirumamani Mandapam for five days in the month of Panguni.

Darshan Entrance After Kalyanotsavam

Kalyanotsavam Seva ticket holders Queue line will be merged with other Paid Services Queue Line. Darshan line will be merged at Dwajasthambham and takes 20 to 30 mins for Darshan.

Kalyanotsavam Seva Ticket booking process

Kalyanotsavam Tickets can be obtained either online or through the current booking process at CRO Office Tirumala or by submitting a recommendation letter at J.E.O Camp Office Tirumala.

Daily 80 tickets will be released for Lucky Dip booking at CRO office Tirumala. Daily 20 tickets are reserved for newlywed couples.

Dress Code for Kalyanotsavam

Men: White Pancha, Dhoti. The male devotee must remove Shirt and Vest during Seva.

Female: Saree with blouse/ Punjabi Dress with Dupatta / Chudidhar with Dupatta/ Half Saree

Among the various festivals celebrated in Tirumala, the Srinivasa Thirukalyanam is very popular, and still now Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam is being performed in Tirumala in most of the days in a year, and especially during the Tamil Month of Purattasi, and this wonderful divine wedding festival is celebrated with full of happiness by the devotees. Those who want to perform Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam at the Holy Tirumala, must have to contact the temple officials in order to get further details about that.

Apart from Tirumala, Sri Srinivasa Thirukalyanam is also being performed in some Perumal Temples, and most of the devotees of Lord Vishnu used to attend the divine wedding function in the temples, in order to get the blessings of the great Lord Sri Venkateswara and Ma Padmavathi. Those who remain as bachelors and spinsters for a long period are suggested to perform Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam, in order to get married soon to a suitable person.

Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam is mentioned in detail in the Bhavishyottara purana.

Sri Venkateswara Ma Padmavati Maha Mantra:

Om Namo Venkatesaaya Annai Padmvati Kaamitaartha Pradhaayine Pranatah Klesa Naasaaya Govindaaya Namo Namaha.

Meaning of the Mantra
“I pay my humble respects to You, O’ my beloved Lord Venkateswara and Ma Padmavathi who are the giver of victory and prosperity, and I again and again offer my respectful salutations to both of You, O’ Govinda, Ma Padma who destroys all of our sufferings and sorrows in our life”.

Those who read the above Mantra of Lord Srinivasa and Ma Padmavati, would be blessed by the divine couple, and they would lead a peaceful and blessed married life without having any disturbances in their life.

“OM MA PADMAVATHY SAMEDHA SRI VENKATESAYA NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR