Tirumala Dolotsavam (Unjala Seva) – Timings | Booking

Tirumala Unjala Seva (Dolotsavam), Evening Swing Ritual Booking

Unjala Seva (also called Dolotsavam, the “Swing Festival”) is a daily evening Arjitha Seva at Tirumala where Sri Malayappa Swamy, the processional bronze idol of Lord Venkateswara, is gently swung on a decorated unjal (swing) in the Unjala Mandapam. The seva runs approximately 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily (varies seasonally by 30 minutes either way), with the deity seated alongside Sridevi and Bhudevi. Booking is through the TTD online portal as an Arjitha Seva, typical ticket cost Rs. 200 per person, released as part of the first-Friday monthly quota.

What the ritual involves

Unjala literally means “swing”. The ritual:

1. Around 6:30 PM, Sri Malayappa Swamy and the two consort idols (Sridevi and Bhudevi) are brought from the main temple to the Unjala Mandapam in a small procession
2. The deities are placed on a decorated swing, typically silver, with flower garlands
3. The swing is gently moved back and forth by TTD attendants, ceremonial motion, not full oscillation
4. Vedic mantras and Annamacharya keertanas (specifically Unjala-themed compositions) are sung throughout
5. The ritual lasts approximately 60 minutes
6. At conclusion, the idols are returned to the main temple in procession

Devotees sponsoring the seva sit in the Unjala Mandapam viewing area, with clear line of sight to the swing.

Booking

1. Log in to ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in with the registered mobile number.
2. Under Pilgrim Services, choose Arjitha Sevas, then select Unjala Seva (or Dolotsavam Seva).
3. Pick an available date. Quota is released on the first Friday of each month at 10:00 AM IST for the next month.
4. Enter every pilgrim’s name and ID. One ticket per person, children must have their own.
5. Pay Rs. 200 per ticket. Save the booking confirmation PDF.

Unjala Seva is moderately in-demand. Tickets are usually available for several days after the monthly release, not as competitive as Suprabhata or Ekantha. For weekend dates, book on release day to secure preferred dates.

Reporting and dress code

Pilgrims report at the Supadam Q entry gate by approximately 6:00 PM (one hour before the seva). Late arrivals are not admitted, the seva commences on time.

Dress code:

• Men: dhoti / pyjama with kurta. Traditional attire only.
• Women: saree, half-saree, or chudidar with dupatta.

Carry: two printouts of the booking confirmation, original photo ID, and booking ID written separately.

What you receive

• Witness the Unjala Seva from the Unjala Mandapam viewing area for the full 60 minutes
• One Special Entry Darshan after the seva, Supadam route, no separate ticket needed
• Two laddu prasadam coupons
• Sandalwood / kumkum prasadam packets

Total time commitment from reporting to leaving the temple: 3 to 4 hours (1 hour reporting + 1 hour seva + 1-2 hours Special Entry darshan).

The Annamacharya connection

Annamacharya, the 15th-century saint-composer who wrote thousands of Sanskrit and Telugu songs in praise of Lord Venkateswara, composed several Unjala keertanas (swing songs). During Unjala Seva, TTD musicians sing these compositions live. The songs describe the deities being gently rocked on the swing, with elaborate poetic imagery of the divine couple.

For devotees familiar with Annamacharya’s compositions, the live rendition during Unjala Seva is one of the most moving musical experiences at the temple. Even for those unfamiliar with the lyrics, the melodic tradition is distinctive.

How Unjala Seva differs from other evening sevas

• vs Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva (5:30 PM), Sahasra Deepa is the “thousand lamps” seva at Unjala Mandapam; the deity is also on a swing, but the focus is the 1,000 oil lamps. Unjala Seva is later (7:00 PM), focused purely on the swing ritual without the lamp setup.
• vs Ekantha Seva (midnight), Ekantha is the closing ritual where the deity is put to sleep on the golden cot. Different timing, different mantapam, different theme.
• vs Kalyanotsavam (11:00 AM), Kalyanotsavam is the wedding ritual; Unjala Seva is the swing ritual. Different times, different rituals.

Cancellation

Per TTD policy, all Arjitha Seva bookings are final. No refund, no postponement, no advancement.

Combining with other sevas

Pilgrims often combine Unjala Seva with:

• Kalyanotsavam (11 AM same day), sponsor both, gives a morning + evening at the temple
• Sahasra Deepalankarana (5:30 PM same day), see the lamps, then Unjala Seva at 7 PM. Two consecutive sevas at the same mandapam area.
• Suprabhata Seva (3 AM next day), Unjala Seva evening + Suprabhata pre-dawn covers the full daily cycle

Each seva requires its own ticket, TTD does not bundle sevas.

Common questions

What’s the difference between Unjala Seva and Dolotsavam? They are the same. “Unjala” is Telugu for swing; “Dolotsavam” is Sanskrit for swing festival. TTD’s portal uses both names interchangeably.

Is photography allowed? No. Photography and phones are not permitted during any seva. Cloak rooms at the Supadam gate.

Can children attend? Yes, with their own ticket. No free-child rule for sevas.

Is the seva performed daily? Yes, daily at approximately 7:00 PM. Timing varies seasonally by 30 minutes either way, sunset-influenced.

What about Friday, does Unjala Seva move to Kolimi Mandapam like Sahasra Deepa? No. Unjala Seva is at the Unjala Mandapam on all days including Friday. Only Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva moves to Kolimi on Friday.

Is current booking available? Yes, TTD’s CRO seva counter has limited same-day inventory. Walk up by mid-afternoon to check.

For current Unjala Seva monthly quota release dates and any procedural updates, only use ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in.

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