TIRUMALA, JULY 15, 2025: The Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam ritual was observed at the Tirumala temple of Lord Venkateswara on Tuesday on the eve of Ani Vara Asthanam, which will be celebrated on July 16.
Koil Alwar means ‘Holy Shrine’. Alwar means “Devotee”. Tirumanjanam means “Cleaning with aromatic ingredients”.
Koil Tirumanjanam is a purification ceremony of the sanctum sanctorum and temple premises by devotees. During the ceremony, all the deities and other articles are removed from the sanctum sanctorum and cleansed while the “Mula Virat” is covered with a waterproof covering.
The entire Garbha Griham, including floors, ceilings and walls, sub-shrines inside the sanctum, puja articles are cleaned with water and Tirumanjanam, which is a composition of camphor, sandal paste, saffron, turmeric, Kicchili Gadda (a root vegetable) etc., is smeared, which acts as a disinfectant.
The covering of the main deity is then removed, and the deities, deepam and other articles are replaced inside. Special pujas and Naivedyams are then offered to the presiding deity.
This ceremony is performed strictly as per the agamas and is conducted four times a year, viz. before Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Annual Brahmotsavams.
TTD Chairman BR Naidu, executive officer J Shyamala Rao, board members Panabaka Lakshmi, Bhanu Prakash Reddy, Naresh Kumar, Shanta Ram, Sadasiva Rao, Janga Krishnamurthy, Janaki Devi, Mahender Reddy, CVSO Muralikrishna, temple Deputy EO Sri Lokanatham, and other officials were present.
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