Mandapams:
Every brick in the entire temple complex throws light on the cultural journey of the temple over the past several centuries. According to the saint poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, the various Mandapams and constructions inside the Srivari temple served as shelters to the devotees at times of heavy rains and scorching summer, besides serving as platforms for temple rituals and standing here to tell us all about the volumes of history.
These temples not only have a historical and mythological significance but also stand as architectural marvels. A peep into the various mandapams in Tirumala temple:
DWAJASTHAMBHA MANDAPAM:
Dwajasthambham, the golden flagstaff, is located in the middle of a twenty-pillared square pavilion. To the East of the flagstaff, there is an altar or Balipeetham, and to the northeast, there is a granite stone called ‘Kshetrapalakasila’. This pavilion is said to have been constructed in the fifteenth century.
During Brahmotsavams, a flag with Garuda’s imprint is hoisted on this flagstaff to extend an invitation to the deities of 14 worlds to attend the mega religious festival. Those wishing to take pooja material or other things into the sanctum have to perform circumambulation along the Dwajasthamba, including the processional deities, whenever taken outside or returned to the main temple in view of any rituals.
KRISHNADEVARAYA MANDAPAM:
Abutting the Mahadwara and to its right, there is a high-rise mandapam (Porch). This is called Krishnadevaraya Mandapam or Pratima Mandapam. This mandapam was constructed in the Vijayanagara architectural style. To the right side of this porch, one can find a tall copper statue of the emperor of Vijayanagara kingdom, Sri Krishnadevarayalu and his two consorts, Tirumala Devi and Chinnadevi.
These three statues placed in front of Lord Sri Venkateswara express their devotion to Him. It is said that Sri Krishnadevarayalu himself installed these statues on 2nd January 1517 A.D., and then onwards this mandapam has become famous as the Krishnadevarayalu Mandapam. Their names are inscribed on the shoulder badges of these statues.
FOUR PILLAR MANDPAM:
Four pavilions in the four corners of ‘Sampangi Pradakshinam’ were built by Saluva Narasimha Raya in 1470 A.D. in his name, his wife and his two sons.
RANGANAYAKULA MANDAPAM OR RANGA MANDAPAM:
Ranganayakula Mandapam was built in Vijayanagara style architecture and decorated with floral carvings and tales and stories from Ramayana and other puranas on the pillars, walls and ceiling. In the middle of the Southern end of Ranga Mandapam, there’s a small Garbha Griha constructed, believed to accommodate and offer daily sevas to the Utsava Murthies of Sri Ranganadha Swamy of Srirangam, which were stationed here in Tirumala for a brief period between 1320 and 1360 in order to protect it from the Muslim invader Malik Kafur.
Snapana Tirumanjanam during the annual brahmotsavams are held here and Ranganadha Mandapam is fully decorated with various flowers and fruits for the event. This Mandapam is also famous by the name Ranganayakula Mandapam.
KALYANOTSAVA MANDAPAM:
Earlier all wedding festivities of the Utsava deities were celebrated at a pavilion in the ‘Vimana Pradakshinam’. With the increase in the number of the devotees attending the events, these festivities were shifted for some time in Ranganayaka Mandapam. Now the Kalyanotsavam is being observed in this pavilion housing hundreds of couples every day and hence the name Kalyanotsava Mandapam.
This prakaram, in the olden days, was called Sampangi Praakaram, which is between the outer and inner prakarams of the temple. Pavitrotsavam, Pushpayagam and Jyestabhisekham are also performed here in this Kalyanotsava Mandapam.
TIRUMALARAYA MANDAPAM OR ANNA UNJAL MANDAPAM:
Adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western side and facing the Dhwajasthambha Mandapam is a spacious complex of pavilions known as the Tirumala Raya Mandapam. This was partially built by Saluva Narasimharayalu, the emperor of Vijayanagara in 1473AD, to express his gratitude towards the Lord for his victories. Later the Mandapam was expanded by Araviti Bukkaraya Ramaraja, Sriranga Raja, and Tirumala Raja. It hosts the annual darbar of Malayappa during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja, marking the beginning of the Brahmotsavams.
ADDALA MANDAPAM OR AINA MAHAL
The Aina Mahal or the Mirror hall is on the Northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam spread over 42 square feet. It consists of two parts – an open mandapam in the front consisting of six rows comprising six pillars each, and a shrine behind it consisting of an Antarala and Garbhagriha. It has large mirrors which reflect the beauty and fiery of the idols infinitely from all angles when the unjal seva is performed. The arjitha seva which is performed in the middle of the room every day with Sri Malayappa along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi seated on the golden swing is called “Dolotsavam”.
GARUDA MANDAPAM:
Just opposite to the golden gate and facing the presiding deity of Sri Venkateswar Swamy inside the Sanctum Sanctorum with folded hands is the six feet Garudalwar. Hence the name Garuda Mandapam. Every day, the first and foremost awakening seva of Srivaru, the Suprabhatham is recited in this Mandapam. Tiruppavada Seva on Thursdays, annual Sahasra Kalasabhishekam, different Asthanams are performed in the Garuda Mandapam.
GOLLA MANDAPAM:
This is a four pillared centuries old structure located in front of Tirumala temple believed to have been constructed by a milk maid who dedicated her life in the devotion of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. Hence the name Golla Mandapam.
ASTHANA MANDAPAM:
Asthana Mandapam is a closed auditorium located adjacent to Bedi Anjaneya Swamy temple, opposite the main temple complex, which hosts several cultural programs, parayanam, Bhajans, musical concerts, harikathas, satsangs etc.
The events are organized under the supervision of Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad wing of TTD and serves as an elite podium of cultural extravagance aimed for the spiritual and devotional enlightenment of the visiting devotees.
SAHASRA DEEPALANKARA SEVA MANDAPAM:
Sahasra Deepalankara seva is the only daily seva that is performed outside the temple. The seva is performed in the Unjal Madapam located on the Southeastern corner of the Srivari Temple at 5 pm every day. This seva is performed with one thousand ghee-lit wick lamps, and Sri Malayappa Swamy along with Sridevi and Bhudevi, are seated on a swing even as the artistes render Annamacharya and Purandhara Dasa sankeertans. Later the deities were taken out in a procession around the four mada street,s and Pushkarini Harati is rendered before the deities enter the main temple.
All these Mandapams have a great historical significance besides standing tall for their architectural marvel.
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