Kaka Bali – Tirumala’s Traditional Event

The Kaka Bali ceremony is a unique and fascinating ritual that is performed annually during the Kanuma festival in Tirumala. The ceremony involves the offering of cooked rice, mixed with turmeric and vermilion, to Sri Vimana Venkateswara in the Ananda Nilaya Gopuram, the inner sanctum of the temple. The offering is made to honor and seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara’s messenger, the divine crow.

Tirumala, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, is one of the most sacred and revered pilgrimage sites in the country. The town is famous for its ancient and magnificent Sri Venkateswara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple attracts millions of devotees from all over the world every year who come to pay their respects and seek blessings from the deity. One of the most significant events that take place in the temple is the Kaka Bali ceremony, which is an age-old tradition that has been followed for centuries.

The Kaka Bali ceremony has its roots in Hindu mythology. According to legend, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a crow and visited a devotee named Tondaman. Tondaman, unaware of Lord Vishnu’s disguise, offered food to the crow, which pleased the lord. As a reward for his devotion, Lord Vishnu granted Tondaman a boon. Since then, the Kaka Bali ceremony has been performed in the temple to honor the divine crow.

The Kaka Bali ceremony is performed in the early hours of the morning, between the Tomala Seva and Koluvu, in the presence of temple officials. The ceremony begins with the preparation of the food offering, which is cooked separately and mixed with turmeric and vermilion. The offering is then taken to the Ananda Nilaya Gopuram and placed before Sri Vimana Venkateswara. The temple priests recite mantras and invoke the blessings of Lord Venkateswara, seeking his protection and guidance.

After the invocation of the blessings, the priests place the food offering on the ground, and the crows, believed to be the messengers of Lord Vishnu, come to partake in the offering. The priests recite more mantras as the crows eat the food. Once the crows have finished, the remains of the food offering are collected and disposed of in a designated area. The ceremony is concluded with the priests offering their prayers to Lord Venkateswara, thanking him for his blessings and seeking his continued protection.

The Kaka Bali ceremony is not just a religious ritual; it also has cultural significance. In many parts of India, crows are considered to be symbols of good luck and prosperity. The ceremony is believed to bring good fortune and blessings to the people who perform it. It is also a way of showing respect and gratitude to nature and its creatures.

Tirumala traditional Kaka Bali Event:

The Kaka Bali is In accordance with Vaikhanasa Agama rules, an interesting and distinctive rite called “Kaka Bali” would be performed inside the Srivari temple in the early hours.

Ananda Nilaya Vimana Venkateswara Swamy, who is housed in the inner prakaram of Tirumala temple, shall receive this unique food offering on Kanuma Day each year. As part of this celebration, the archakas will combine separately cooked rice with turmeric and vermilion and scatter it over Ananda Nilayam. Between Thomala seva and Koluvu, this ceremony will be performed around 4:15 AM.

What is Kaka Bali at Tirumala?

• The Gold Vakshastala Lakshmi Thayar on the right bosom of the Mulavirat receives a sacred bath on the day of the Kakapudi festival, immediately following the Pratahkala Aradhana Thomala Seva.
• The goddess of the temple kitchen, Vakula Malika Ammavaru, is then honored with a Special Thirumanjanam by Archakas. “Paka Lakshmi” is another name for her.
• Following the Thirumanjanam, a Harati and a dish of plain or spiced rice balls (sindhoor) are carried in a procession around Vimana Prakaram before being set in front of the Golden Well.
• The Archakas offer these colored rice balls to Jeeyangar Swami, a member of the Devasthanam staff, after the worship, and he then throws them onto the Ananda Nilaya Vimanam that surrounds Vimana Pradakshina.

The Kaka Bali ceremony is an essential part of the annual Kanuma festival in Tirumala. It is a unique and fascinating ritual that has been performed for centuries and continues to attract devotees from all over the world. The ceremony is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of India and serves as a way of connecting with the divine and seeking blessings for a better future.