Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Mandapams (Halls)

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Mandapams (Halls)

The temple complex has many mandapas (pillared-halls) built by kings and wealthy patrons over the centuries. Some of these mandapas include:

Sahasra Deepalankarana Mandapam:

Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva is performed every day in the evening at 5:30 PM at this Mandapam. This Mandapam is also called as Unjal Mandapam (meaning Swing Mandapam or Uyyala Mandapam in Telugu). It is situated to the extreme left of the Temple entrance, and to be more precise at the South-Eastern corner of the Temple where the East and South Mada streets intersect. Sri Malayappa swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken out in procession where one thousand wick lamps are lit. The lord is seated in an Unjal in the midst of the lamps and Anamaya Sankeerthanas and Vedic hymns are sung to the newly wed God and Goddesses.

On occasions, group dance (typically from Karnataka, though not restricted) is also held. As a recent practice, after the Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva, the Lord and his consorts are taken on a procession on the 4 streets surrounding the temple, before he is taken inside the temple complex. The ticket holders are given vastra bahumanam and 5 small laddus for this Seva. At the conclusion of the Seva, the ticket holders are also sent for the darshan of the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum. The duration of the Seva is 30 minutes.

Vyasaraja Ahnika Mandapam:

Vyasaraja Ahnika Mandapam is situated on the banks of Swami Pushkarini of Thirumala Venkateswara Temple.

Golla Mandapam:

Golla Mandapam is located in front of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. It is situated exactly opposite to Mahadwaram, main entrance of the temple of Lord Venkateswara. It consists of four tall ornate pillars.

Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam:

Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam, also called as Pratima Mandapam is an open Mandapam is situated immediately after passing through the Padi Kavali Maha Dwara. This mandapam gets its name from the pratimas or bronze portrait icons of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya and his two consorts, Tirumaladevi to his left, and Chinnadevi to his right. All three icons face the main shrine, with their hands joined in supplication. In the southern wing of the Mandapam, is a statue of Venkatapathi Raya of the Aravidu dynasty, who ruled over Chandragiri around 1570 AD. To its side are stone statues of Achyutha Raya, who succeeded Krishna Deva Raya to the throne, and his wife Varadajiamma.

This Mandapam is believed to be built in later Vijayanagara times (early half of the 16th century). This Mandapam is full of exquisitely beautiful pictures of the Vijayanagara period like, Rama breaking the bow, Rama Pattabhishekam and Krishna Leela. Sri Vaishnava symbols or the Urdhvapundras flanked by a conch and disc are carved at the top of the two main pillars of the Mandapam.

Dwajasthamba Mandapam:

The Dhwajastambha Mandapam houses the Dhwajastambha (a wooden flagpole encased in gold) and the Bali Peetha (seat for food offering). A peculiar feature of the Mandapam is that it is covered (unlike in other temples) to facilitate the conduct of rituals in all weather conditions. The relative positions of the Dhwajastambha and the Bali Peetha are in accordance with Vaikhanasa Agamic traditions. Sculptures of Yoga Narasimha, Matsya, Hanuman, Krishna killing Bakasura, Srinivasa Kalyanam scenes etc. can be found in the pillars of this Mandapam. There are intricate carvings of Krishna fighting Kaliya serpent can be found on the Dwajasthambam itself.

Aina Mahal:

The Aina Mahal or the Mirror hall is on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam spread over 42 square feet each two chambers. 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 beauty and fiery of the idols infinitely from all angles when the Unjal Seva is performed. There is an Unjal in the middle of the room in which the Lord is seated and festivals conducted. The Arjitha Seva which is performed in the middle of the room every day with Lord and His consorts seated on the golden Unjal is called Dolotsavam.

Jana Mandapam:

Jana Mandapam or Jana Hall consists of two divisions, situated on the northern side of Tirumalarayan mandapam. There are six rows of six pillars in each row totaling 36 pillars. There is a swing (oonjal) in the central portion of this mandapam. The oonjal Uthsavam of Malayappa swami is held in this swing.

Kalyana Mandapam:

Kalyanothsavam or marriage festival is celebrated in the Kalyana Mandapam. The Kalyana Mandapam is architecturally similar to the Tirumala Raya Mandapam. At its western end, is a small mandapam carried on slender cut-stone pillars and surmounted by a vimana. On the South of the Mandapam is a raised portion called the Yagasala where homams are performed in connection with Brahmotsavam and other festivals. This mandapam is regularly used for conducting daily Kalyanothsavam and comprises of richly decorated pillars, architecture of the Chola and he Vijayanagara periods.

Ranga Mandapam:

Ranga Mandapam, also called as Ranganayakula Mandapam or Ranganayaka Mandapam, is located in the south-eastern corner of the Sampangi Pradakshinam. The shrine within it is believed to be the place where the Utsava Murti of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam was kept during the 14^th century, when Srirangam was occupied by Muslim rulers. The idols of Namperumal and his Consort were kept and worshipped in the dense forest first and later in the Ranga Mandapam. It is said to have been constructed between 1320 and 1360 AD by the Yadava ruler Sri Ranganatha Yadava Raya. It is constructed according to the Vijayanagara style of architecture. Now the mandapam is used for holding Snapana Tirumanjanams during Brahmotsavam period and other festivals.

Tirumala Raya Mandapam:

Tirumala Raya Mandapam, also called as Anna Unjal Mandapam, is a spacious complex of pavilions, situated adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western side and facing the Dhwajastambha Mandapam. It consists of two different levels, the front at a lower level and the rear at a higher. The southern or inner portion of this Mandapam was constructed by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 AD to celebrate a festival for Sri Venkateswara called Anna Unjal Thirunal.

This structure was extended to its present size by Aravidu Bukkaraya Ramaraja, Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja. It is in this Mandapam, that the Utsava murthi Malayappan, holds his annual durbar or Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garuda Dhwaja on Dhwajastambha to mark the commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally, the prasadam distributed on this occasion is still called Tirumalarayan Pongal.

The Mandapam has a typical complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara style, with a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars, some of which emit musical notes when struck with a stone. The main pillars have rearing horses with warriors mounted on them. Some of the best sculptures of the temple are found in bold relief in the Mandapam. The bronze statues of Todermal, his mother Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi, are kept in a corner of the Mandapam. Aina Mahal is situated on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam.

Snapana Mandapam:

Snapana Mandapam is also called as Tiruvilankovil. It has four central pillars, which bear sculptures like those of Bala Krishna, Yoga Narasimha and Kaliayamardhana. A particularly impressive sculpture in bas relief is that of Sri Maha Vishnu in the seated pose. He is shown with four arms; the upper arms holding the chakra and the sankha. The Lord’s consorts are also shown seated in Sukhasana on either side of him. Snapana Mandapam is located after crossing the Bangaru Vakili before the Sanctum of Lord Venkateswara.

Mukha Mandapam:

Mukha Mandapam is also called as Tirumamani Mandapam. The first view of the Lord can be obtained from the Tirumamani Mandapam. It was built by Mallanna or Madhavadasa, who was the Chief of Chandragiri in the fifteenth century. The Mandapam is supported by sixteen carved pillars, which introduce a natural division of the area into three aisles. The Mandapam serves as an Asthana Mandapam, where Koluvu Srinivasa holds court after the Thomala Seva in the sanctum, listens to the reading of the almanac, and presides over the giving of daily rations of rice.

The recitation of Suprapatham also takes place here. There are two massive, inscribed bells, which are known as Tirumani or Tirumahamani, which give the Mandapam its name. It is said that these bells were used during the Neivedhyam in the sanctum. On the eastern side of the Mandapam is a small shrine dedicated to Garuda. On the northern side is a Gangala or large brass vessel covered with a sacred fabric, for depositing all votive offerings.

Sayana Mandapam:

The Sayana Mandapam, also called the Ardha Mandapam, is directly in front of the sanctum (in accordance with the Agamas). This is as close to the sanctum that the pilgrims can get. The Mandapam is connected to the sanctum by the threshold called Kulasekhara-Padi, after an Alwar who wished to be reborn as the threshold to the Lord's shrine. The main function of this Mandapam is to facilitate the performance of rituals that cannot be accommodated in the sanctum. The Mandapam is so called because it is here that the representative icon of the Lord (Bhoga Srinivasa) is ceremoniously put to bed as the last sequence (Sayanotsavam or Ekantha Seva) of daily worship. The 18x6 feet room is the final resting place of the Lord Venkateswara every day after the daily Ekantha Seva ritual.