Among the
multiple festivals which are being performed in the hill shrine of Lord
Venkateswara at Tirumala, Anivara Asthanam is an interesting ritual, which will
be performed with religous fervour on July 17.
Procession
of Visesha Padi and Nuthana Vastram by H.H.Sri Sri Ramanuja Pedda Jeeyar Swamy around
Dwajasthambham inside Sri Vari Temple and The Asthanam-temple court performed
in the Bangaru Vakili inside the sanctum sanctorium between 7am to 9am on
Sunday in connection with Anivara Asthanam
BRIEF NOTE
ON ANIVARA ASTHANAM
Among the
festivals conducted with pomp and splendor at tirumala, Anivara Asthanam takes
the pride of place. Indeed nothing shines so well as the Anivara Asthanam. As
this Asthanam is held on the last day of the Tamil month Ani, it is called as
Anivari Asthanam. A durabar will be
held in front of Bangaru vakili with processional deity of Sri Venkateswara
with his two consorts – Sridevi and Bhudevi, along with Sri Senadhipativaru. In
olden days this festival used to mark the commencement of writing of the new
accounts. An inscription (No.617 T.T) found on the stone wall of the second
prakara of Tirumala temple under date
9-3-1494 pertains to an endowment made by two accountants of the temple
for offering of certain Atirasapadis on the occasion.
The Anivara
Asthanam is a traditional function which marks the closure of the year’s
account and the commencement of accounts for the coming year and taking over of
charge officially.
In olden
days, in the history of Tirumala, this celebration is called Adi Ayanam
Asthanam, the writing up of the New Year accounts. It is well known how the Adi
Ayanam Asthanam has come to be known as Anivara Asthanam. Perhaps it may be due
to the fact that the function is held on the last day of the Tamil month of
Ani. In one of the inscriptions on the walls of the temple, there is a
stipulation as to how the charitable endowment should be utilized for the said
purpose.
On this
occasion, the Lord Sri Venkateswara is adorned with rare jewellery such as
Makarakanti, and Lakshmi Haram. The processional deity with His two consorts is
taken to the Mukha Mantapam and a grand Durbar is held after the daily Thomala,
archana and naivedya are all over for the moolabera. The processional deity as
stated before proceeds to the Bangaru Vakili in the Ani Asthanam. Sri
Senadhipati is also brought to the mantapam but seated separately on the left
side of Sri Malayappa Swamy. After this Durbar in the Tirumamani Mantapam on
the Sarva Bhupala Vahanam, the archakas offer worship and after this, the
procession starts from parimala room carrying six vastrams in a silver plate.
This procession goes round the Dwajashtambha and the Vimana-pradakshina and
then into the sanctum sanctorum.
On this
occasion, the temple is re-entrusted to the Jeeyangars, as also the seals of
the office of the Administration to the Executive and administrative heads of
the Devasthanams. This festival also signifies the oath taking ceremony, at
which the servants of the Lord are to affirm their loyalty and faithfulness to
their duty in sacred service of Lord.
In short,
the Asthanam summarizes for us the philosophical and ethical teachings of the
Upanishads, the crux of the Vedanta.
On this day evening Sri Malayappa swamy will
be taken out in procession on an exquisite palanquin, daintily decorated with
colourful flowers.
The Sun God moves from north to south on the
day of Anivara Asthanam i.e. the starting day of dakshinayanam.