Author: The Editor

The following are some of the common offerings by devotees visiting Tirupati Balaji temple at Tirumalai. Tonsuring (shaving one’s head) The objective behind tonsuring (shaving one’s head for the Lord) is to demonstrate that he/she completely surrenders his/her ego at the feet of the Lord. Pilgrims can have their heads tonsured at the Kalyanakatta (opposite the Annanadanam Complex). There are seventeen sub-centers for tonsuring. Pilgrims can also request to be tonsured at the cottages where they are staying. Walking up the Hills Many pilgrims walk up the hills to fulfill vows they have taken, for which Tirumala – Tirupati...

The following list explains some of the various pujas and rituals conducted at the Tirupati Balaji Venkateswara temple located on the Tirumalai hill. Suprabhatam Every morning the Suprabhatam, Prapatti and Mangalasasanam slokas are recited, and a descendant of Tallapaka Annamacharya sings a few of Annamacharya’s sankeertanas. Devotees present at the time of Suprabhatam can have the Lord’s Suprabhata Darsanam, also called Viswarupa Sarvadarsanam. Kalyanotsavam Kalyanotsavam is also known as Vaivahikotsavam or Pendli Tirunal. It is conducted in the Kalyana Mandapam and its rituals are similar to those followed in Hindu marriages. The utsava murti of the Lord (Malayappaswami) is...