The main purpose of performing the Koil Tirumanjanam is the purification of the sanctum sanctorum and the temple premises.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) conducted the auspicious ceremony of the Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam, the holy ritual of cleaning the temple of Lord Venkateswara, ahead of the Salakatla Brahmotsavam beginning on September 11.
The entire Srivari temple complex was cleaned with saffron, camphor, turmeric, sandal paste and organic cleaning material like cow dung and ganga jal. Hundreds of temple staff and interested devotees participated in the rituals, along with the EO, I Y R Krishna Rao. The rituals commenced in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is held mostly on Tuesdays preceding major festivals like Ugadi, Anivara Asthananam, Salakatla Brahmotsavam and the Vaikunta Ekadasi. Koil Alwar means 'Holy Shrine'.
The main purpose of performing the Koil Tirumanjanam is the purification of the sanctum sanctorum and the temple premises. During the ceremony, all the idols and other articles are removed from the sanctum sanctorum, and the mula murti is draped with a water-proof covering.
The entire garbha griham, including floors, ceilings and walls, are cleaned and brushed well with plenty of water. The whole place is then smeared with kumkum, camphor, sandal paste, saffron and turmeric, that act as disinfectants.
The covering of the main deity is then removed, and the deepam and other articles are also cleaned and replaced inside the sanctum sanctorum. After the exercise is over, the priests conduct purification pujas, and a Naivedyam is offered to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara.
This ceremony is performed strictly as per the agamas. The TTD officials said that the public darshan of Lord Venkateswara was suspended to facilitate the Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam ceremony, and that it will commence after the completion of the holy cleaning exercise.
Courtesy: INN