MANTAPAMS OF SRIVARI TEMPLE

The hoary Lord Venkateswara Temple in the hill shrine of Tirumala is an amazing complex of history, culture and traditions. Almost every brick speaks volumes of the cultural journey of the temple from the past several centuries.

MANDAPAMS ACTED AS SHELTERS FOR DEVOTEES

According to saint poet Sri Tallapaka Annamayya, the various Mandapams and constructions inside the Srivari temple served as shelters to the devotees at times of heavy rains and scorching summer besides being served as platforms for temple rituals.

PRATIMA MANTAPAM OR KRISHNADEVARAYA

The 16 pillared granite stone Mandapam built by Vijayanaraga emperor Sri Krishnadeva Raya reflects the temple architecture of the period. The life size copper statues of Sri Krishnadevaraya and his consorts Tirumala Devi and Chinna Devi adorned the portico of the Mandapam.

ADDALA MANTAPAM OR AINA MAHAL

Located to the north of the Pratima mandapam is the Ayina mantapam where chains are installed for Dolotsavam event. This 42 sq.ft mandapam with the glass surface on walls and ceiling reflects the image of Lord on all sides during the Unjal seva giving an amazing feel to devotees.

RANGA MANTAPAM

In the South-East corner of the court yard lays the Ranga mandapam or Ranganayakula Mandapam, is believed to have been built in1320-60 by Sri Ranganatha Yadavaraya. The Utsava Murthy of Lord Sri Rangatha was supposed to have brought and hidden here when Malik Khafur attacked Sri Rangam in 14th Century.

The snapana tirumanjanam to deities during annual brahmotsavams is performed here.

TIRUMALARAYA MANTAPAM

Twelve feet away from Ranga mandapam, this mandapam was constructed by Saluva King Narasimha Raya and is also known as Anna Unjal Mandapam. The ritual of Hamsatulika vahana was performed in this mantapam for the Malayappaswamy and his consorts. Later the mantapam was further extended by Saluva king Tirumala raya and was used for Vasantotsavam . Presently the Utsava idols are placed here when the Dwajarohanam event is conducted during Brashmotsavams .

DWAJASTHAMBHA MANTAPAM

Built in15th century, this platform is eye of every Brahmotsavam as it is the venue for Dhwajarohanam ceremony (the commencement of nine day festival) as well Dhwajavarohanam. The hoisting of Garudalwar Flag is the key event during brahmotsavams which takes place in Dhwaja Sthambha Mandapam.

NALUGU KALLA MANTAPAM

This mantapam is located to the west Tirumalaraya mandapam in the north east corner of the Sampangi mandapam. Built in 1470 by the saluva king Narasimha Raya, it was a favoured platform used for resting by the deity. Now during the Utla panduga during Gokulastami, this platform is used.

KALYANA MANTAPAM

To the southern end of the Sampangi prakaram is the Kalyana mandapam where daily kalyanotsavam is performed by arjita seva devotees. It also acts as the venue for Pavitrotsavam, Pushpayagam and Jyestabhisekham etc.for performing rituals.

MAHAMANI MANTAPAM

The huge hall between the Garuda temple and the Bangaru vakili in the Ananda Nilayam is called the Mahamani mantapam or the Ganta mantapam. I t has 16 pillars in four rows. It was built by the Vijayanagara minister Mallana in1417 and have images of Narasimha, Varaha ,Maha vishnu, Varadaraja and Venkateswara. This is the venue for all major events like Suprabtha pathanam,Koluvu, Panchanga sravanam,adaya-vyaya nivedana .The major events like Sahasra Kalashabisekam and Tiruppavadai are held here and also titled as Asthana mantapam, as several traditional temple courts during Ugadi, Deepavali, Rama Navami, Sri Krishnasthami, Anivara Asthanam etc.are rendered here.

There were two bells on the southern side of the bangaru vakili which are struck at the hour of nivedana. Hence it is also called Ganta Mandapam and also Tirumamani mandapam.

SNAPANA MANTAPAM

The square shaped mandapam inside the bangaru vakili is the Snapana mantapam also titled as Thiruvilasa Koil with images of Balakrishna, Kali Mardana scene and Yoga Narasimha. It was built by the Pallava queen Samavai (Perundevi) in 614 AD who also presented a silver idol of Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy. This platform is not used for any event now.

SAYANA MANTAPAM

The sayana mantapam is just across the Ramulavari Meda( next to Snapana mantapam) where daily the Ekanta seva is performed for the Bhoga Srinivasa idol at night before closing the temple. The deity’s idol is put to rest on a gold platform hung with gold chain where a descendant of saint –poet Sri Annamacharya sings for the Lord and during Tomala seva Divya prabhanda is chanted. Sahasra nama pathanam and chanting of Vedas are also performed at this venue.

Besides these mantapam, there were Ankurarpanam mantapam, Parakamani mantapam and after Vimana Venkateswara, there is Yoga Narasimha mantapam. Other prominent mantapams at Tirumala located outside the Srivari temple includes Paruveta mantapam, Golla Mantapam, Asthana Mantapam, Sahastradeepalankarana koluvu mantapam,Vasantotsava mantapam and Vahana mantapam.

ISSUED BY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TTD, TIRUPATI