Koluvu is a traditional ritual performed at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, India. The temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for devotees of Lord Vishnu, and is considered to be one of the eight sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu. The Koluvu is performed every day, and is considered to be a special privilege for devotees.
The Koluvu is a ritual of arranging and decorating the Lord’s deity with different types of ornaments, clothes, and other articles. The Koluvu is performed after the Abhishekam, which is the ritual bathing of the deity with various liquids such as milk, curd, honey, and sandalwood paste. The idol is then adorned with different types of ornaments, clothes, and other articles. The ornaments are made of gold, silver and other precious metals. The clothes are made of silk and other fine fabrics.
The Koluvu is performed by the priests of the temple, who are trained in the proper methods of arranging and decorating the Lord’s deity. They use a special technique to place each ornament and clothing on the deity. They also use special tools to ensure that the ornaments and clothes are placed correctly and securely on the deity.
Following the morning Thomala Seva or Abhishekam (on Fridays), the previous day’s accounts are closed and submitted to the Lord. This ritual is known as Koluvu and is also known as Durbar. The Maharajah of Mysore brings Koluvu Srinivasa to the Tirumamani mandapam (inside the sanctum sanctorum) and seats him on a silver-plated chair with a gilt umbrella canopy. Only priests and TTD officials are present for this ritual, which takes place in Ekantam.
Rituals held during Koluvu
- The Lord is presented with fried gingelly seeds and jaggery.
- The Vedas, Vishnu Suktam, and Tamil Divya Prabandhams are read aloud.
- When the priest says, “PanchAngam AgamyatAm,” the Lord is asked to listen to the Panchangam (almanac). The Panchangam (day’s calendar) is read to the Lord, detailing the activities for the day as well as those for the following day. Details of festivals and observances at Tirumala temple, Govindaraja Swami and Kodandarama Swami temples in Tirupati, Padmavathi Devi temple in Tiruchanur, Sri Kalahastiswara temple in Sri Kalahasti, and several other nearby temples are read out.
- A TTD official then reads out the previous day’s hundi collection details, including the date, morning and afternoon collections, and the amount of loose change collected. These figures exclude donations, Arjitham, and other sources of income. Finally, the total amount is declared to have been credited to Srivari’s Bhandara.
- Matradana: Rice, ginger, and rations are given to the archakas (priests) who recited the slokas and Prabandhams.
Every day in the Koluvu, Srinivasa gives rice, betel leaves, and honorarium (Dakshina) to the priests in charity (Tandula Daanam). Every day, the priests bless Lord Srinivasa with wealth (Nityaishvaryo bhava). This occurs in complete solitude.
Koluvu Srinivasa Murthy is installed on the throne in Tirumala’s Snapana Mandapa of the Golden Entrance. The tithi (the number of days in a month), vaara (weekday), and nakshatra (the presiding star) of the day are read to this deity from the Hindu Calendar (Panchanga Shravanam), along with the income and expenditure statement for the previous day. Later, the Lord is served naivedyam, a jaggery and sesamum flour mixture. However, on the first day of Dhvajaarohan (Garuda Flag Hoisting), the Koluvu takes place before the Golden Entrance.
