The devotees made a beeline to Police Parade Grounds in Guntur on Thursday to catch the double Dhamaka as a part of the ongoing venkateswara vaibhavotsavams were and delighted to witness the special weekly arjitha Seva of Tiruppavada Seva and also catch the glimpse of Lord in “Netra Darshanam”.
SIGNIFICANCE OF NETRA DARSHANAM:
Every Thursday, after the morning pooja, the Mula Virat is divested of all ornaments, flowers etc. The deity will be draped only in Dhoti and Uttareeyam. The Thirunaman Kaappu and Kasturi on the forehead of the main deity are also reduced in size. This results in the unique posture of Lord where one can witness the peculiar Netra Darshan -where the divine eyes of the main deity can be seen. During other days the wide Namam with which the Lord’s forehead is adorned, covers almost half of his eyes. But on Thursday morning we can have the full view of the benign eyes of the main deity.
IMPORTANCE OF TIRUPPAVADA SEVA:
On Thursdays In Tirumala Thiruppavada Seva is performed as arjitha Seva in the Mantapam in front of the Bangaru Vakili and Annakutotsavam (where heaps of tamarind rice is poured) is performed.
The same has been replicated by archakas in Guntur on Thursday which caught the attentions of tens of thousands of devotees who thronged the venue
A large rectangular tub – like golden vessel is placed in the Mantapam and a huge quantity of “Pulihora”-tamarind rice, along with other sweet preparations such as payasam, laddu, jilebi, thenthola, appam etc and other delicacies are deposited thereon with coconuts, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, deepam and is placed in that trapezoid receptacle to be offered as naivedya to the Lord.
Amid Chanting of Srinivasa Gadyam the previous wide Naamam is peeled off and a thin Naamam is adorned on the forehead of Mula Virat just to cover the space between His eyebrows. This entire religious process takes place behind curtains. It is believed that the Lord’s first gaze after “opening” His Eyes should not fall on mortals, because it has huge power that could not be withstand by humans. Instead, it is made to fall on the mount of “Pulihora” directly in front of Him, thereby sanctifying it and reducing the intensity of His Gaze. The “Pulihora” therefore acts like a Veil (“Paavada” in Telugu/Tamil) protecting devotees from His Powerful Gaze.
After witnessing the unique Seva the denizens expressed immense satisfaction and thanked TTD for organising such a mega religious fete in Guntur.
ISSUED BY TTDs PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI