Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Swami Pushkarani

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Swami Pushkarani

Swami Pushkarani is the temple pond located on the northern side of the Main temple. It is located within the premises of Thirumala Temple. This Theertham is considered as main Theertham of the Temple.

Legends

Legends say that the Swami Pushkarani was originally based in Vaikuntam-the dwelling of Lord Vishnu, but was transported by Garuda to earth for use of his Master who came to earth in search of his consort Mahalakshmi and settle here as Venkateswara Swamy in Kaliyuga. Bathing at Swami Pushkarini is considered very holy equal to bathing in the holy River Ganga.

Theertham

The pond spreads over an area of 1.5 acres and considered most sacred. The tank had a mandapam called as Neerata Mandapam, at its centre which was constructed by Saluva King Narasimha Raya in 1468. Later the saint-poet Tallapaka Annamacharya got the steps built up to the mid of the mandapam. The water of Swamy Pushkarini is scientifically treated by a state-of-the-art recycling facility. TTD has set up filters and state of the art drains in the Pushkarini since 1972. Pushkarini water is drained at regular intervals and refilled with fresh water that emerged from its springs.

Pushkarini has a pivotal role in the traditions and rituals of Tirumala as per Vaikhanasa Agama practices. The Harathi or puja of the Pushkarini has its roots in the inscriptions of 12^th century and also that the practice commenced from the days of Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara kingdom on his special directions. As part of the revival of the traditions the TTD has taken up the practice of offering Harathi to the Pushkarini every day in the evening.

Festivals

A Harathi will be given to the Pushkarani daily during evening by Temple priests. Every year Sri Venkateswara Annual Theppotsavam (Float festival) is conducted in this pond, where the processional deities of the temple are taken float over the pond. Chakrasnana, a celestial bath to Chakkarathalwar, Malayappa and his concerts, is conducted at this pond during the last day of Srivari Brahmotsavams.

Other festivals conducted in Theertham are;

·        Kumaradhara - Magha Pournami

·        Ramakrishna - Pushya Pournami

·        Tumbhuru - Phalguna Pournami

·        Chakra Karthika Masa - Ksheerapti Dwadasi

Rituals & Prayers

It is said that all devotees have to take a bath in this holy pond before visiting the temple. A single dip in the sacred waters of is said to wash away the sins of an individual. Each day, numerous devotees flock to this holy pond and wash away their sins. The Mukkoti of Swami Pushkarini (the merging of over three crore teerthas in Swami Pushkarini) occurs on Mukkoti Dwadasi (the twelfth day of the fortnight of Dhanur Masa). Therefore, it is believed that bathing in the Swami Pushkarini on this day, is equivalent to bathing in the holy river, Ganges.

Connectivity

Swami Pushkarani is the temple pond located on the northern side of the Main temple. It is located within the premises of Thirumala Temple.

Location