Venkatachala Hill
Maha Vishnu wished for the mountain Krida / Krida Parvatham / Kridhachalam from Vaikunta to be brought to the earth for his avataram.
This was brought to earth by Garuda and Ananta & placed it on banks of river Swarna Mukhi
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This is where current Tirumala temple is located. The fact that this was transported from Vaikunta is apparently a scientifically proven fact.
The scientific dating of the sedimentary rocks have confirmed the date to be around 120 million years ago..
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This timeline coincides with Swayambhu Manu manvanthara of the Sweta Varaha Kalpa which is the time when Swamy descended on earth in the form of Venkateshwara Swamy.
From a survey of flora and fauna, they have found rare species of plants & animals like golden gecko..
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that are exclusive to this hill range only and not found anywhere else in the world.
Tirumala hills are a range of 7 hills
1. Seshachala
2. Vedachala
3. Garudachala
4. Anjanachala
5. Vrishabhachala
6. Narayanachala
7. Venkatachala --> Where temple is present
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Bhoga Srinivasa
In an inscription from 614 AD, a Pallava princess Samavai donated a silver idol of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy called Bhoga Srinivasa, which laid the foundations of rituals and worship.
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Temple Floor Plan
Following is the floor plan of the temple complex from the book.
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The inner temple is guarded by Maha Vishnu's loyal gate-keepers, Jaya & Vijaya.
The place where Swamy's idol is present is called ANANDA NILAYAM, directly under the vimanam.
It is said that Swami has manifested in 5 forms i.e. Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Antaryami & Archa forms.
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The first 4 dimensions i.e. Para, Vyuha, Vibhava & Antaryami can't be experienced by humans at all times.
At the beginning of time, all gods and sages prayed to Maha Vishnu to bless the humans with divine knowledge and enable them to experience godhood.
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Through endless time, he had existed in the 4 metaphysical dimensions. Humans with no yogic knowledge couldn't perceive the divine & relied only on physical senses.
Maha Vishnu descended from parama-pada & took form of human being as it was the only familiar shape for man
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The main idol is called MULA VIRAT standing over 9.5 feet tall in the centre of the garbha-griha. This event happened at the beginning of Swayambhu Manvantara.
Bhoga Srinivasa is also present along with this idol & receives worship on behalf of main idol.
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Rituals
The rituals are as per the Agama Shastras. Maha Vishnu knew that a detailed procedure is required to protect the divine energy & only a qualified person should perform the rituals.
He requested Lord Brahma to take up this service, who humbly declined the offer
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Maha Vishnu plunged into deep contemplation and created a sage in his own image called Vaikhanasa (one who is born out of deep contemplation - Vishesha Khananaath) & instructed him to perform essential rituals.
He descended on earth at Naimasa forest and took 4 shishyas
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Bhrigu, Atri, Marichi & Kashyapa. Together they authored a great science of rituals called Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra.
Agama Shastra is divided into 2 parts
1. Daivikam - Daily, Monthly, Annual rituals as well as extraordinary situations like floods, famines wars etc
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2. Manusham - Sanskara or procedures for a priest to undergo in his lifetime to become eligible to worship Maha Vishnu
There is no Kriya without a veda mantra attached with the same.
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Atma Suktam
All rituals starting with Suprabhatham are called Mantrasanam, which includes an unique procedure called Atma Suktam.
By uttering these mysterious shlokas, the priest invites Maha Vishnu onto himself so that he becomes Vishnu before performing Archana
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This is a very special step in Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra that declares only Vishnu is eligible to worship Vishnu (Vishnum Archayathi)
Next is Naivedhyam which means surrendering to God. We will delve into this topic in Part-2 of this series.
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Disc:
All snippets are from the book & all credits should go to original authors A.V. Ramana Dikshitalu & Kota Neelima
Photos Courtesy: Google / snapshots from the book.
This thread is a humble offering to the lotus feet of my aaradhya deiva, Sri Venkateshwara Swamy
🙏🕉️🙏
cc:
@SriRamya21 @Bengaluruhudugi for your inspiration to write this 3-part thread.