Editing Venkateswara (section)

==Worship and festivals==
[[File:Venkateshwara.jpg| thumb | 220x124px | right | alt= Idol of Venkateswara at [[ISKCON Temple, Bengaluru|ISKCON Bengaluru]] |
Idol of Venkateswara at [[ISKCON Temple, Bengaluru|ISKCON Bengaluru]] ]]

Venkateshwara, an aspect of Vishnu, is the presiding deity of the [[Tirupati]] temple. It is believed that the deity is ''Swayambhu'' (self manifested).<ref>{{cite book|title=Pagan Ethics: Paganism as a World Religion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4cJOCgAAQBAJ&q=Swayambhu+tirumala&pg=PA405|access-date=24 September 2019|isbn = 9783319189239|last1 = York|first1 = Michael|date = 5 August 2015| publisher=Springer }}</ref> Ten ''Puranas'' state that Tirupati is a form of Lord Vishnu. Even deity appears similar to 108 [[Divya Desams]] - Vaishnava temple Vishnu deities. The deity is believed to be as old as the "Shila thoranam" in Tirumala. Tirumala has tremendous fame from the ancient period. The deity is referred to as 'Balaji' by North Indians. The scriptures state that Venkateshwara is the saviour of all suffering people in the [[Kali Yuga]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2020 |title=Tirupati – Tirumala – Venkateswara the lord of the Kali Yuga |url=https://dakshinavarta.com/2020/05/21/tirupati-tirumala/ |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=Dakshināvarta |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the 12th century, [[Ramanuja]] visited Tirupati to settle a dispute that had arisen between the [[Saivites|Shaivites]] and [[Vaishnavites]] regarding the nature of the deity set up in the Tirumala temple.<ref>{{Cite book |last=R. |first=Sreenivasa Ayyangar, C. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/30865934 |title=The life and teachings of Sri Ramanujacharya |date=1908 |publisher=R. Venkateshwar |pages=181 |oclc=30865934}}</ref> Until that, Deity was worshipped as Shiva for six months and Vishnu as another six months in a year. Ramanuja streamlined the rituals at Tirumala temple according to [[Vaikhanasas|Vaikanasa]] [[Agama (Hinduism)|Agama]] tradition, and introduced the recitation of the [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]. He also set up the Tirupati Jeeyar [[Matha]] in 1119 AD, in consultation with Tirumalai Ananthalwan to institutionalise service to the deity and supervise the temple rituals. The Jeeyars, to this day, ensures that the rituals ordained by Ramanuja are observed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pontiffs Jeeyangars, the Ombudsman of Tirumala Temple rituals – TTD News |url=http://news.tirumala.org/pontifs-jeeyangars-the-ombudsman-of-tirumala-temple-rituals/ |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=T. T. D. News |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803072335/http://news.tirumala.org/pontifs-jeeyangars-the-ombudsman-of-tirumala-temple-rituals/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Voice of a mighty philosophy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/Voice-of-a-mighty-philosophy/article16614610.ece |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=25 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Narasimhan |first1=T. A |title=He streamlined the rituals at Tirumala temple |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/He-crawled-all-the-way-up/article14425912.ece |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=16 June 2016}}</ref> 

===The five deities===
{{See also|Tirumala Dhruva Bera|Deities in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple}}

According to the Vaikhanasa Agamas, Venkateswara is represented by five [[Murti|deities]] (berams) including the [[Moolavar|Moolavirat]], which are together referred to as the Pancha beramulu in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] (pancha means five; beram means deity).<ref name=panchaberam>{{cite book | title =Sri Venkateshwara| date = 7 January 2014| publisher = Shantha Nair| isbn = 9788184954456| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=CY9eAAAAQBAJ&q=pancha+beram&pg=PT219}}</ref> The five deities are Dhruva Beram (Moolavar), Kautuka Beram, Snapana Beram, Utsava Beram, and Bali Beram. All the pancha berams are placed in the Garbha griha under [[Ananda Nilayam]].<ref name=panchaberam />

#'''Moolavirat ('''Chief deity) or '''[[Tirumala Dhruva Bera|Dhruva Beram]]''': In the centre of the [[Garbha griha]], under the Ananda Nilayam Vimana, the Moolavirat of Venkateswara is seen in a standing posture on a lotus base, with four arms, two holding shanka and chakra, one in the Varada posture, and the other in the Kati posture. This deity is considered the main source of energy for the temple, and is adorned with the Vaishnavite nama and jewels, including vajra kiritam (diamond crown), Makarakundalas, Nagabharana, Makara Kanti, [[Saligrama]] haram, Lakshmi haram.<ref name=panchaberam /> Venkateswara's consort, [[Lakshmi]], stays on the chest of the Moolavirat as Vyuha Lakshmi.
#'''[[Bhoga Srinivasa]]''' or '''Kautuka Beram''': This is a small one-foot (0.3 m) silver deity that was given to the temple in 614 AD by the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] queen, Samavai, for conducting festivals. Bhoga Srinivasa is always placed near the left foot of Moolavirat, and is believed to always be connected to the main deity by the holy ''Sambandha Kroocha''. This deity receives many daily sevas (pleasures) on behalf of Moolavar, and is hence known as Bhoga Srinivasa (Bhoga: pleasure).  This deity receives Ekanthaseva daily<ref name=bhoga1>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Tiruppavai-to-replace-Suprabhata-Seva/articleshow/55865340.cms| title=Tiruppavai to replace Suprabhata Seva | work=times of india | date=8 December 2016 | access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref> (the last ritual of the day), and Sahasra Kalasabhisheka (a special [[abhisheka]]m (ablution) with [[sacred waters]] in 1008 [[kalasha]]s (pots)) on Wednesdays.
#'''[[Ugra Srinivasa]]''' or '''Snapana Beram''': This deity represents the fearsome (Ugra: terrible) aspect of Venkateswara.<ref name=ugra2>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Much-awaited-Kaisika-Dwadasi-falls-on-November-11/articleshow/55271593.cms| title=Much awaited Kaisika Dwadasi falls on November 11 | work=times of india | date=6 November 2016 | access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=ugra1>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Fervour-marks-%E2%80%98Kaisika-Dwadasi%E2%80%99-at-Tirumala/article16443338.ece| title=Fervour marks 'Kaisika Dwadasi' at Tirumala | work=The Hindu | date=2 December 2016 | access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref> This deity was the main processional deity until 1330 CE, when it was replaced by the Malayappa Swami deity.<ref name=panchaberam /> Ugra Srinivasa remains inside the sanctum sanctorum, and is carried out on a procession only one day in a year, on ''Kaishika Dwadasi,'' before the sunrise.<ref name=ugra1 /><ref name=ugra2 /> This deity receives daily ''[[abhishekam]]'' on behalf of Moolavirat, offering it the name Snapana Beram (Snapana: cleansing)
#'''[[Malayappa swami|Malayappa Swami]]''' or '''Utsava Beram''': Malayappa is the processional deity (Utsava beram) of the temple, and is always flanked by the idols of his consorts, [[Lakshmi|Sridevi]] and [[Bhūmi|Bhudevi]]. This deity receives veneration on all festivals, like [[Srivari Brahmotsavam|Brahmotsavams]], Kalyanotsavam, Dolotsavam, Vasanthotsavam, Sahasra deepalankarana seva, Padmavati parinyotsavams, pushpapallaki, Anivara asthanam, Ugadi asthanam, etc.
#'''[[Koluvu Srinivasa]]''' or '''Bali Beram''': Koluvu Srinivasa represents the Bali Beram. Koluvu Srinivasa is regarded as the guardian deity of the temple, that presides over its financial and economic affairs. Daily Koluvu seva (Koluvu: engaged in) is held in the morning, during which the previous day's offerings, income, expenditures. are notified to this deity, with a presentation of accounts. Panchanga sravanam is also held at the same time, during which that particular day's [[tithi]], sunrise and sunset time, and nakshatra. are notified to Venkateshwara.

===Festivals===
In the Venkateswara Temple over 433 festivals are being observed in 365 days of a year suiting the title "Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Toranam" where every day is a festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tirumala- The Paradise of Festivals|url=http://news.tirumala.org/tirumala-the-paradise-of-festivals/|access-date=7 June 2015}}</ref>

====Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams====
[[File:Lord Venkateswara on Gaja Vahanam..JPG|thumb|[[Venkateswara Temple]] in Brahmotsavams]]

[[Srivari Brahmotsavam|Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams]], a nine-day event, which is celebrated every year during month of October, is the major event of Venkateswara Temple. During brahmotsavams the processional deity [[Malayappa swami|Malayappa]] along with his consorts SriDevi and BhuDevi, is taken in a procession in four mada streets around the temple on different vahanams.<ref>{{cite book | title = Srivari Brahmotsavam| publisher = The Hindu | year = 1975  | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=FXZMAgAAQBAJ&q=tirupati+brahmotsavams+the+hindu&pg=PA26 |page=26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=8th Day of Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavam-Aswa Vahanam on Oct 12|date=12 October 2013|newspaper=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams News|url=http://news.ttdevasthanams.com/8th-day-of-srivari-salakatla-brahmotsavam-aswa-vahanam-on-oct-12/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318182257/http://news.ttdevasthanams.com/8th-day-of-srivari-salakatla-brahmotsavam-aswa-vahanam-on-oct-12/|archive-date=18 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Vaikuntha Ekadashi====
[[Vaikuntha Ekadashi]], the day on which it is believed that Vaikunta Dwarams will be opened. The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple will be flooded with devotees, to have a darshan of Venkateswara through special entrance which encircles inner sanctum called "Vaikunta Dwaram".<ref>{{cite news|title=Pilgrims throng Tirumala |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/tirumala-reels-under-pilgrim-rush/article6742380.ece|access-date=21 June 2015|newspaper=The Hindu|date=January 2015|last1=Shukla|first1=G. P.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pilgrims throng Tirumala |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/450956/15-lakh-converge-tirumala-vaikuntha.html|publisher=Deccan Herald|access-date=21 June 2015|date=January 2015}}</ref> 

====Rathasapthami====
[[Ratha Saptami]], is another festival, celebrated during February, when Venkateswara's processional deity (Malayappa) is taken in a procession around the temple on seven different [[vahana]]ms starting from early morning to late night.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.geocities.com/suman_malepati/rathasaptami.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091027133227/http://www.geocities.com/suman_malepati/rathasaptami.html | archive-date = 27 October 2009 | title = Rathasapthami photos}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Narayan|first=K.K.V|title= Flipside of Hindu Symbolism: Sociological and Scientific Linkages in Hinduism|page=26|accessdate=2009-11-26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ewRfp4qpvt4C&q=Ratha+Sapthami&pg=PT26|publisher= Fultus Corporation|year= 2007|isbn=978-1-59682-117-0}}</ref>