TIRUMALA, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024: The historical Mandapams with intrinsic architectural detailing in and around Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala are a major attraction to devotees who throng the temple throughout the year.
The Mandapams were built with ornate sculptures on pillars and ceilings nurtured over ages by emperors and kings that include Krishna Raya Mandapam, Ranganayakula Mandapam, Tirumala Raya Mandapam, Addala Mandapam (Ayina Mahal) Dhwaja Sthambha Mandapam, Kalyana Mandapam, Ghanta Mandapam and many more architectural marvels.
The Inscriptions on Srivari temple indicate that the main Gopuram on Mahadwaram was built in the 13th century. Even today on the right side wall of Mahadwaram, the Iron crowbar used by Sri Vaishnava Saint Sri Anantha Alwar is present.
A peep into various mandapams…
KRISHNARAYA MANDAPAM
This pavilion is known as Pratima Mandapam as it houses the life-size copper statues of Vijayanagara Emperor Sri Krishna Devaraya and his consorts, Tirumala Devi and Chinna Devi. History explains that Sri Krishna Devaraya visited Tirumala seven times during his regime.
RANGANAYAKULA MANDAPAM
This Mandapam is located to the left of Mahadwaram built by Sri Ranganatha Yadava Rayalu between 1310-20 and comprises of multitude sculptures engraved on the stone pillars. Between 1320-360 the utsava idols of Srirangam Sri Ranganatha were kept here and hence named as Ranganayakula Mandapam. Certain rituals like Snapana Tirumanjanam, Venchepu of utsava deities, Vedaseervachanam and Chaturveda Parayanam are performed in this Mandapam.
TIRUMALARAYA MANDAPAM
Adjacent to Ranganayakula Mandapam is the Tirumalaraya Mandapam consisting of high pillars where Unjal Seva was performed in those days and hence also tagged as Anna Unjal Mandapam.
A portion of it was built by Saluva King Narasimharaya in 1473AD and the remaining by Araveti Tirumalaraya in the 16th century. It also consists of metal idols Raja Todarmal along with his mother Mata Mohana Devi and wife Pita Bibi.
During the annual Brahmotsavam on the occasion of Dwajarohanam, the utsava idols of Sri Malayappa Swamy along with Sridevi and Bhudevi receive special pujas here.
NALUGU KALLA MANDAPAM
To the west of Tirumalaraya Mandapam there is a four-legged pavilion on the south-east corner of Sampangi Pradakshina. It was built by Saluva Narasimharaya in 1470 AD in the name of his family members. On the day of ‘Utlapanduga’, Sri Krishna Swamy is worshipped at this Mandapam and the festival is known as ‘Shikyotsavam’.
ADDALA MANDAPAM / AYINA MAHAL
The 36 pillared Mandapam to the North of Sri Krishna Devaraya Mandapam is where the daily Dolotsavam is performed to Sri Malayappa Swamy. The beauty of this Mandapam is that the mirrors are arranged inside and give a magical effect. History says the presence of this Mandapam in 1831 AD itself.
DWAJASTHAMBHA MANDAPAM
This 10-pillar Mandapam aligned with the second Gopuram of the temple touching the Vendi Vakili (silver threshold) was constructed in 1470 by Vijayanagara King Saluva Narasimharaya. It comprises Dwajasthambham and Bali Peetham. The pillars of this Mandapam are known for their architectural marvel.
This mandapam plays a prominent role in many festivities and the most important one is the hoisting and lowering of the divine Garuda flag during the Dhwajarohanam and Dhwajavarohanam ceremonies on the first day and last day of the annual Brahmotsavams.
Bali peetham is the stone seat covered in gold plates. After daily Nivedana inside Srivari temple, the archakas offer ‘Bali’ to all the deities on this peetham amidst the chant of Vedic Mantras.
KALYANA MANDAPAM
The 80×30 feet Mandapam with 27 pillars was built to the South of Srivari temple in 1586AD by a chieftain named Sri Avasaran Chengappa with a granite dais and four small pillars in the middle.
Earlier, this Mandapam was the venue of daily Kalyanotsavam of Sri Malayappaswami and His consorts Sri Devi and Sri Bhu Devi.
MAHAMANI MANDAPAM
Upon entering the Anandanilayam, the Mahamani Mandapam is located between the Golden threshold (Bangaru Vakili) and the Garudalwar Sannidhi. This is also known as Ghanta Mandapam as it houses a huge bell that is rang while offering Naivedyam and is also called Mukha Mandapam.
Here there are 16 pillars in four rows. It was built in 1417AD by Mallana, a minister of Vijayanagara Empire. Sculptures of Varaha, Narasimha, Mahavishnu, Venkateswara, Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Varadaraja are seen on these pillars.
Recitation of Suprabhatam during the wee hours of every day, Panchanga Sravanam, Asthanam-the temple court, Sahasrakalasabhishekam on the day of consecration of Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy once in a year, and Annakootsavam (Thiruppavada Seva) on Thursdays are performed in this Mandapam only.
SNAPANA MANDAPAM
Snapana Mandapam is the square-shaped pavilion inside Bangaru Vakili. It is also called Thiruvilan Koil. The Pallava Queen Samavai (Perundevi) presented an idol of Sri Bhoga Sreenivasa Murthy-a one foot silver replica of the main deity, and Abhishekams used to take place in this mandapam in those days.
SAYANA MANDAPAM
This pavilion is located ahead of Ramulavari Meda. The Ekanta Seva for the Bhoga Sreenivasa Murthy is observed here every night. A descendant of Annamacharya sings Annamaiah Lali. Divya Prabandha Ganam is performed during Tomala seva after Suprabhatam. Recitation of Sahasranama is done here. Arjita seva devotees sit here and watch the different sevas being performed to the main deity.
ANKURARPANA MANDAPAM
Before the commencement of annual Brahmotsavams, an agamic ritual of prelude called Beejavapanam is performed in this Ankurarpana Mandapam.
OTHER MANDAPAMS
There are several other Mandapams located in and around the Tirumala temple where several rituals on different religious occasions are performed.
There are Golla Mandapam, Paruveta Mandapam, Asthana Mandapam, Sahasra Deepalankara Seva Mandapam, Vasantotsava Mandapam, Vahana Mandapam, Nadanirajana Mandapam that provide a spiritual atmosphere to the devotees visiting Tirumala.
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