TTD Set to Begin New Accounting Year with Anivara Asthanam
As part of the ritual, TTD’s principal officers will formally present the accounts of the previous year to Lord Venkateswara, symbolising their continued eligibility to serve in their official capacities. The practice signifies divine approval for their roles in temple administration.
Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will mark the commencement of a new financial year for the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara with the observance of the annual Anivara Asthanam on July 16. Celebrated as the ‘festival of commencement of new accounts,’ this traditional ritual symbolises the formal initiation of hill temple’s administrative and accounting cycle in the presence of Lord Venkateswara.
As part of the ritual, TTD’s principal officers will formally present the accounts of the previous year to Lord Venkateswara, symbolising their continued eligibility to serve in their official capacities. The practice signifies divine approval for their roles in temple administration.
Historically, this ritual dates back to the time when the temple was under the administration of the Mahants. The budgeting process traditionally began on the last day of the Tamil month Ani, giving the event its name “Anivara Asthanam” a term especially significant to Tamil devotees.
On this day, new account books are also issued for the financial year ahead. In accordance with Agamic traditions, the ceremony, which is referred to as Asthanam, will be held inside the sanctum sanctorum near Bangaru Vakili, in the presence of the processional deities Lord Malayappa Swamy along with consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi seated on Sarvabhoopala Vahanam, and Viswaksena on a separate platform.
The Jeeyangar Swamijis of Tirumala will offer new clothes to the presiding deity and processional idols. The temple’s key bunch of coffers, known as Lachana, will be ceremoniously placed at the feet of the deity seeking divine blessings. This will be followed by the Rupayi Harati ritual, where participating staff members contribute one rupee each into the coffers in the presence of the TTD executive officer. The offerings will then be carefully counted.
In the evening, the Pushpa Pallaki procession will be held, enhancing the grandeur of the occasion. In preparation for the festival, Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam will be performed on Tuesday morning. Beginning at 6am, the sanctum and sub-temples will be cleaned using a traditional mixture called Parimalam. Devotees will be allowed for darshan after 12 noon. Due to the ritual, VIP Break Darshan and select Arjitha Sevas will remain cancelled.
Meanwhile, the hill temple has been witnessing a heavy influx of pilgrims over the last three days. On Monday, queues extended up to the outer ring road near Silathoranam and it is taking around 20 to 24 hours for devotees to have darshan. As of 8pm on Monday, over 55,000 pilgrims had completed darshan of Lord Venkateswara.
