Special Sevas (worship) for Tirumala Brahmanda Nayaka

Om Namo Venkatesaya Namah: As per the Vikhasana Agamam -- one to the four main Vaishnava Agamams --  Nitya, Vaara, Paksha, Masam and Varshika Sevas are performed for Lord Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala. As per Vikhasana Agamam, Seva has to be done six times a day, to Tirumala Lord.  The Agamam has stated that Seva has to be done at Pratyusha Kaalam and Pratha Kaalam for a healthy population; afternoon for a kingdom; mid-afternoon for preventing bad omens, evening for good agricultural yield and Nishi Aaaradhana for production of cattle.

However, as it is not possible to perform Sevas six times a day, they are being performed only three times a day. Thomaala Seva is performed early in the morning and the devotees are permitted to witness this. This is an Aarjitha Seva. Two more Sevas are performed in the afternoon and at night. Only the priests, Paricharikas and chief gurus are present at the Pavalimpu Seva that is performed at night to Tirumala Lord.

Nitya Sevas

A variety of Aarjitha Sevas are performed for the Lord. The devotees can pay for these Sevas and participate in the performance. Suprabhatham is performed after 3 am. The deity is awakened with recitation of Suprabhatam.  Thomaala Seva is performed after that. Archana is performed later and no devotees are allowed at Ekantha Seva that is performed towards the end.

Suprabhatam

The very first Seva that is performed for Tirumala Lord is Suprabhatam. It is performed in an ante-chamber inside Sanctum Sanctorum. The deity is woken up. Spiritual Gurus chant 'Kausalya Supraja Rama, Purva Sandhya Pravarthathe...' at 'Bangaru Vakili' (Golden Threshold). At the same time Annamaiah Sankeerthanas are rendered by a descendant of Thallapaaka Annamaacharya. Suprabhatam is Good Morning in Sanskrit.

The Seva is wound up with recitation of Suprabhatam, Stothram, Prapathi and Mangalasnanam. There are 29 slokas in Suprabhatam, 11 in Stothram, 16 verses in Prapathi and 14 in Mangalasnanam. After the Seva, the deity, now Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy is taken into Sanctum Sanctorum. The whole process takes about half-an-hour. Immediately after this, the 'Golden Threshold'  is opened. Suprabhatam tickets may be bought online thorough Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) website. Suprabhatam is performed on all days throughout the year, except during Dhanurmasam (December).  During that time Tiruppavai is performed.

Sahasranamarchana

Archana is performed to the deity at 4.30 am daily, three days in a week, i.e., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These tickets are not available on Mondays and  in the months of May, June and July.  This is also called Sahasranamaarchana.  This archana that is performed exclusively for Tirumala Lord, has been mentioned in some canons dating back to earlier than 1518.

Thomaala Seva

This is performed after Suprabhatam that is to wake up the deity.  Thomaala means a garland. The deity is adorned with a garland made out of a variety of flowers and Tulasi leaves. A spiritual head called Periya Jeer gets the flowers from Yamunadurai.  The Seva is performed with these flowers. This too takes about half-an-hour. This Seva is performed only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Ekantha Seva

Ekantha Seva is the last one of the daily Sevas that is performed. The deity, Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, is put to sleep on a golden cot, in the ante-chamber.  Annamacharya descendants sing keertans, as lullabys to the deity. Ekantha Seva is also called Paanpu Seva. Tharigonda Vengamamba Haarati is also given. The deity is referred to as Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy for 11 months in a year. But during Dhanurmasam he is referred to as Sri Krishna.

Vaarapu (weekly) Sevas

Special Sevas are done for the deity daily, throughout the week. Vishesha (special) Puja on Monday; Ashtadala Paadapadmaaraadhana on Tuesday, Sahasra Kalasaabhiseka, on Wednesday; Thirupavada Seva on Thursday; and Abhisekham,  Vasthraalankara Seva and Nijapaada Darsanam on Friday,  are performed.

Visesha Puja

The 'Utsava Vigrahas' (idols used during festivities), are brought to a 'Mandapam', for performing Chaturdasa Kalasavisesha Puja, every Monday after the second hour.  Puja is performed to the deity with water from 14 Kalasams (pots of water). Ankurarpanam and Punyavachanam are performed to the deity after taking his permission, in the form of Sri Mallayappa Swamy.

Panchasukthalu, called Sridevi, Bhudevi, Neeladevi, Purusha and Narayana, are recited. Thirumanjanam is done to these idols. Seven out of the 14 pots contain water (Sudhodhakam). The remaining seven Kalasams contain, til oil, milk, curd, rice grains with turmeric (Akshathalu), Dharba (grass) and Panchagavyas. Abhisekham is performed with them. Purnahuti is performed after Abhisekha Haarati. Naivedyam (food offering) is made at the end. Visesha Puja is being performed since April 8th, 1991, by TTD. Later, it became Aarjitha Seva.

Ashtadala Paadapadmaaradhana (Tuesday)

This Seva too is done after second hour. It was started for the deity in 1984. It began with a Muslim devotee offering 108 golden lotuses as donation to the temple. The Seva is performed with these. This puja is performed in Sanctum Sanctorum to the main deity. The puja is done by reciting Ashtotharam. Each lotus is placed at the deity's feet, for every 'Namam' (name) that is recited. The Seva is completed with Ratha Haarati and Sadharana Haarati.

Sahasrakalasaabhisekam

The Abhiseka Seva is performed for Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, another name for the main deity, which is Venkateswara Swamy. It is performed in Bangaru Vakili, after the second hour of the day.  It is done in the presence of all the deities like Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Mallayappaswamy and Vishvaksena.  Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy is placed on Golden Threshold. One end of a silk  thread is tied around the deity's feet and the other is tied around the main idol. That is both the idols are together. The significance of this is, whatever Seva is being performed to Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, is understood to be performed to the main deity.

At the outset, 1,008 Kalasams with the water are kept at Golden Threshold. Also eight Parivara Kalasams are kept ready. Water is kept ready in a golden 'kalasam.'  This water that is mixed with sandalwood paste is called Parimala Theertham.  Pancha Sukthulu and Pancha Shanti Manthras are recited amidst Thirumanjana Abhisekham. Similarly, Abhisekham is done for Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Mallayappa Swamy, with water from 108 Kalasams and eight parivara kalasams. As a conclusion to Thirumanjanam, the priests perambulate around Ananda Vimana Prakaaram and Dhwajastambham, carrying the golden Kalasam and reciting Vedic hymns, with beating of drums and music. The water is then used to wash the feet of the main deity in Sanctum Sanctorum. Later, Sahasrakalasaabhisekam is performed.  This is performed behind the screen to the main deity.

Thirupavada Seva (Thursdays)

The main deity is made to wear just a dhoti and Angavasthram, after removing all ornaments and garlands. Even the 'Namam' (mark on forehead) is removed and a thin one is made freshly. Usually, the eyes of the deity are only half-visible. But during Thirupavada Seva, as the forehead mark is removed, both the eyes of the deity are clearly visible. Thirupavada Seva is done in the hall opposite Golden Threshold. Pulihora, Payasam, Appam, laddu, jilebi and other items are offered as Naivedyam to the deity.

Abhisekham, Vastralankaranam, Nijapaada Darsanam (Fridays)

Every Friday, after Suprabhatam, Thomaala and Archana Sevas are performed.  Water brought from Akasha Ganga is used to perform Abhisekam for the deity. Later, Abhisekam (anointing) is done with milk, Suddodhakam, sandalwood paste, Pachcha Karpooram, Saffron and oil extracted from Civet. All these are kept ready in silver kalasams, and at the time of performing Abhisekam, they are used one by one, while reciting Purusha Suktham, Narayana Sukhtham, Sri Suktham, Bhu Shuktham and Neela Suktham. Pasurams from Divya Prabhandam are also recited.

After this, the deity is adorned with an image of Goddess Lakshmi, on the chest, which is worshipped with turmeric, before Abhhisekam is performed. Every devotee who takes part in Aarjitha Seva will be offered one silver kalasam, containing water mixed with Pachcha Karpooram, Saffron, Civet extract oil and sandalwood paste. The devotees carry this and reach Golden Threshold, amidst traditional music and drum beats. There the kalasams are taken by the priests and abhisekham is performed.

As per the temple canons, the present silver idol of Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy was offered by a queen during Chola dynasty in 966 B.C. It resembles the main deity in form. The queen had offered the idol to the temple on a Friday, which had been the birthday of Tirumala Lord as per Hindu calendar (Sravanam Nakshatram, Jyeshta thritiya).

Vastraalankarana Seva (Mel Datu Vastram)

This Seva is performed immediately after Abhisekam, every Friday. Only two couples are allowed to enter. The deity is adorned in silk dhoti and Uttareyam as part of this Seva.

Nijapaada Darsanam

Normally the deity's feet are covered with Tulasi leaves. During Nijapaada Darsanam, the leaves are removed and devotees can view the feet. They are allowed to worship the feet uptil Kulesekhara Padi.
Sevas and festivals performed frequently. Some Sevas and festivals are performed during certain festivals and special days, in Tirumala.

Thepotsavam

This is organised for five days, during Chitra month of Telugu calendar (March). The deity is made to go boating in Pushkarini lake daily in the evening. The idols are placed in a boat and rowed around Pushkarini, amidst Nadaswaram and recitation of manthras. On the first day, the deity is rowed about, as Sri Rama, with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman in toe. On the second day, the deity is taken around in the boat as Sri Krishna, accompanied by Rukmini Devi. On the last three days, from triyodasi to Purnima, he becomes Mallayappa Swamy (Lord Balaji) with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

Every year, during first fortnight of Chitra month, for three days from Triyodasi to Paurnami, annual Vasanthotsavam, is organised. The festivities are marked with spraying of perfumed waters, to give some relief to the deity from the hot summer months. This begins from the day on which Uttarabhadra Nakshatram is in ascendant. Punyavachanam, Vaasthu Shanti and Samprokshana programmes are performed. The idols of Mallayappa Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi  are brought into a colourfully decorated hall. On the first two days, Swapana Thirumananam (abhisekam with perfumed waters) is performed. On the third day, a number of other deities like Sri Rama, Seethadevi, Lakshmana and Anjaneya Swamy, Srikrishna, Rukmini and Satyabhama are also included in the festivities. Devotees take part in the annual Vasanthotsavam, by purchasing Rs. 300 per head tickets.

Padmavati Parinayam

This event takes place every year in the month of Vaisakha (May). A venue is set up in Narayanagiri Gardens, for this. The wedding of Srinivasa, with Padmavathi is performed. The event is held for three days, i.e., Navami, Dasami and Ekadasi, in moonlight. Lord Mallayappa Swamy comes daily riding an elephant, horse and Eagle (Garuda), to the Gardens. His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi also arrive each day in palanquins. After the wedding rituals, daily, there is a get-together. The deities are sent back to the temple, after chanting of Vedic hymns and singing of devotional songs. All the events in a normal Hindu wedding  ceremony like Edurukolu, Banthaata and wearing of new clothes, take place. Even firecrackers are burnt at the end of the wedding.

Abhidyeka Abhisekam

This is done for three days in Jyesta month of Telugu calendar. It is also called Jyestabhisekam. It is done to protect the idols of Mallyappa Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi from damage due to overuse. Daily the deities are brought into Kalyanotsavam Mandapam (marriage hall) after the second hour.  Swapana Thirumanjanam is conducted, with milk, turmeric, sandalwood paste and curd. Three kinds of armours are put on to the idols on three days. On the first day, the deities are adorned with diamond armour , second with pearls armour and third day with golden armour. The idols wear the golden armour throughout the year, until the next Abhideyeka Abhisekam is conducted.

Pushpapallaki

TTD accounts open during Dakshinayam (second phase in a year). Anivara Aasthanam and Durbar Festival are performed on a day in July. The previous accounts of TTD are surrendered to Tirumala Lord. New year begins with new books. Temple priests leave their batches, IDs at the feet of the deity, before taking it back. Later, the deities: Lord Mallayappa Swamy and his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi are taken out in a procession in flower bedecked palanquin, in Mada streets.

Pushpa Yaagam

This event is performed after the annual Brahmotsavams, every year. It is performed on the day of Sravana Nakshatram, in Karthika month.  Ankurarpanam is performed before the Yaagam. On that particular day, Lord Mallayappa Swamy is made to sit on Golden stage with his consorts, Sridevi and Bhoodevi, in Sampangi Hall, after the daily pujas are completed.  Swapana Tirumanjanam is done, before performing the Yaagam, with thousands of tonnes of flowers. It is performed with a plea to the deity to ward off ill effects of earthquakes, cyclones and contagious diseases. This Yaagam that was performed in 15th century, was revived by TTD in 1980.

Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam

Koil means sacred pilgrim centre. Alwar means devotee. Thirumanjanam means purifying with medicinal herbs. The main deity and temple environs are cleaned by the devotees in this programme. All the ornaments are removed from the idol and it is cleaned after putting a plastic sheet on it. The idols of smaller deities also are cleaned like this. Also, the floor of Sanctum Sanctorum, walls, the surroundings as also the puja items are cleaned. Water mixed with camphor, sandalwood paste, saffron, turmeric and a cleaning herb is used to perform Thirumanjanam. After this, all items are returned back to their place, the deities are re-adorned with ornaments and after special pujas, offering is made. The whole process is done by carefully following the canons in Aagama Sastrams. The process is done four times a year:  before Ugadi, at the time of Anivara Aasthanam, Vaikunta Ekadasi and annual Brahmotsavams.

Pavitrotsavam

It is performed annually, in Sraavana month, on Ekadasi, Dwadasi and Thriyodasi festive days. As a part of this, Thirumanjanam and Homam are performed, for the main deity and other deities in the temple. The speciality of this is the asking of forgiveness by the priests, for knowingly or unknowingly making mistakes or blunders in the performance of various pujas and Sevas.

On the first day of Pavitrotsavam, Homam is performed in Yaagashala. Later, Swapan Thirumanjanam is performed for Sri Mallayappa Swamy, Bhoodevi and Sridevi idols. They are taken out in a procession in the evening on the same day in Mada streets. On the second day, after Thiurmanjanam, special pujas are performed for 'Pavitralu,' meaning silk threads. They are tied around the head, neck and back of all the deities, including Bhuvaraha Swamy.  Swapana Thirumanjanam and Homam are performed on the third day. Pavitrotsavam ends with Purnahuti.

Bhramotsavams

Festivities are routine in Tirumala. Around 450 festivals are celebrated in Tirumala, including daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly and yearly festivals. The most sacred among these is Brahmotsavams. The temple history as well as Puranas have it that Brahma himself performed this for the first time, to Lord Venkateswara Swamy, by washing his feet, out of gratitude for protecting living beings that he had created. Annamayya's ''Brahmakadigini Paadamu..." is inspired from this. Brahmotsavams are performed every year for nine days in Aswayuja month. They are performed on a grand scale. Lakhs of devotees visit Tirumala during Brahmotsavams.

The celebrations begin with Ankurarpanam. The deities, Lord Mallayappa Swamy, along with Sridevi and Bhudevi, are taken out in a procession in Mada streets, daily in the morning as well as night. Dwajarohana is performed early in the morning, on day one. The deity is taken out in a procession that night on Peddasesha Vahanam. The procession is taken out in Chinna Sesha Vahanam in the morning and Hamsa vaahanam at night on the second day. Again the procession is taken out in Hamsa Vaahanam in the morning and Muthyala Pandiri Vaahanam in the night of the third day, Kalpavruksha vaahanam in the morning and Sarvabhupala vaahanam at night on the fourth day and Pallaki Vaahanam in the morning (Mohini Avataram) and Garuda vaahanam at night of the  fifth day.

On the sixth day, Hanumantha Vaahana Seva and procession in Golden Chariot are taken out. At night, the process is repeated with Gajavaahanam. Suryaprabha and Chandraprabha vaahana Sevas are performed at morning hours and at night on the seventh day. Radhotsavam is performed in the morning and Ashwa Vaahanam Seva in the night are performed on the eighth day. Palliki Utsavam is performed in the morning of ninth day. The festivities end with Chakrasnanam, i.e. , Sudarsana Chakra of Tirumala Lord is washed in Pushkarini waters, at night on the ninth day. Navarathri Brahmotsavams are also performed once in three years, in the wake of Adhikamasam. That is Brahmotsavams are performed twice that year.

Kalyanotsavam

Kalyanotsavam is performed daily at 10.30 a.m., to the functional idols. Tickets are available for viewing this Seva. After the event, devotees are allowed to have a darsan of the deity.

Aarjitha Brahmotsavam

After Kalyantosavam, Arjitha Brahmotsavam is performed for functional deities, in Vaibhavotsavam Hall, that is opposite the main temple. The Lord and his consorts are seated in Pedasesha Vaahanam, Garuda Vaahanam and Hanumantha Vaahanam, before taking them out in a procession.

Dolotsavam

This is performed daily at 10 a.m. It is also called Unjal Seva. The functional idols of the Lord and his consort are placed on a swing, in Addaala Mandapam (Hall of mirrors) and swung to and fro for a while. The programme is accompanied by Nadaswaram and recitation of Vedic hymns. The hall is lit up with lamps, before the Seva is performed.

Aarjita Vasanthotsavam

This is performed in Vaibhava Mandapam, at 3.30 p.m. daily. Abhisekam is performed with milk, honey and sacred waters, to the idols of the deity and his consort . Turmeric and Sandalwood are rubbed. Meanwhile, priests recite Purusha Suktham, Sri Suktham and Vedic hymns.

Sahasradeepalankarana Seva

This is part of Unjal Seva. That is a 1,000 lamps are lit (Sahasra) in the mirrored hall, where a swing is arranged.  The sight is pleasant and pleasing to watch. Annamacharya Keertans are sung.
Online booking of Seva tickets
Tickets can be booked online for various Aarjitha Sevas, at TTD Seva online.com. Tickets are available two months in advance, for Suprabhatam, Nijapaada Darsanam, Thomaala Seva, Archana, Visesha Puja, Ashtadala Paadapadmaardhana, Kalyanotsavam, Vasanthosavam, Unjal Seva, Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva and  Arjitha Brahmotsavam.

Those who fail to purchase online, can buy the tickets for Sevas for the next day, at Tirumala. A small quota of tickets are kept aside for this purpose. Some 100 tickets are available for Suprabhatam, like this. Similarly, there is a current booking counter, where tickets for Kalyanotsavam, Aarjitha Brahmotsavam, Unjal Seva, Vasanthotsavam, Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva, Nijapaada Seva, Visesha Puja, Sahasra Kalasaabhisekam and Thirupavada Seva. You can log on to http://www.tirumala.org/Advancebooking.aspx , to learn about the various Sevas, the number of tickets available online, current quota and fares for the various Sevas.

Kinds of dharsans

A little less than a lakh people visit Tirumala daily. At least 40,000 to 80.000 devotees have dharsan of the deity on a daily basis. It is not an easy task to make arrangements for darshan for such huge crowds. Pilgrims to Tirumala can have darshan without spending a penny, in Sarvadarshan. As a majority of the pilgrims prefer Sarvadarshan, it takes a lot of time.

On ordinary days, 18 hours a day is allotted for Sarvadarshan. But on festival and other special days, the time is reduced. The devotees have to wait in Vaikuntam queue complex. They are kept in compartments and one compartment of devotees are released at a time. Free milk, tea, coffee and meals are distributed in queue complex for every three hours. There are toilets also in between.

Special Entry

This had been introduced since September 21st, 2009. This darshan reduces the time for devotees to have darshan and avoids the inconvenience of waiting in the queue. You can book tickets online, in advance for Rs. 300. You have to reach ATC car parking area at least half an hour beforehand. Otherwise you lose the opportunity.  Current booking counters in Tirumala also sell Rs. 300 tickets. However, this quota is limited. It is best to book online and start the journey.

Special Entry darshan tickets can be booked three months in advance. If the required quota is available, tickets can be booked even three hours before the darshan. On ordinary days, tickets are available even one day before. When the crowds are less darshan can be had before one hour. With mild rush, it will take two to three hours time and on crowded days it takes over three hours.

For booking tickets at Tirumala for Special Entry darshan, you have to approach a single window centre, at Central Reservation office. Here along with Rs. 300 tickets, you can get Rs. 100 and Rs. 50 tickets as well.

For those trekking uphill...

TTD has arranged Divya Darshan or immediate darshan for those trekking uphill to Tirumala, via Alipiri or Srivari Metlu. Even these devotees are sent through queue complex, depending on the number of visitors. It takes less time than Sarvadarsanam and more time than Special darshan. These devotees need to deposit their luggage at Alipiri and obtain a receipt. By the time they reach Tirumala, their luggage is brought up so that they can collect it there. This service is free of cost. There is a TTD office in every district. Tickets can be booked from these offices for darshan as well as lodging facilities.

Physically handicapped and senior citizens

There is special darshan facility for physically handicapped and senior citizens. They are permitted to enter via a special gate that is at the southern-most point on the street adjoining the main temple (Mada Veedhi).  These devotees need not go round in the queues and can have darshan within an hour. They are allowed through this gate twice a day, i.e., at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For this facility, the devotees concerned should reach there at least two hours beforehand with the appropriate certificates to prove their disability as well as old age.

Lodging facilities

TTD has arranged about 4.850 cottages, chowltries and guest houses for the lakhs of people, who visit Tirumala. Both free as well as paid lodging facilities are available. For reaching Tirumala, you have to stop at Tirupati, which is downhill. Many, who have come from far off places, like to rest in Tirupati, before beginning the journey uphill, to Tirumala. A number of facilities are available for such pilgrims.  Even those who wish to visit various tourist centres in Tirupati, can do so by staying here. A huge guest house, Srinivasam, is just at half-a-km from the bus station. There are rooms available here within price range of Rs. 200 to Rs 600.  For Rs. 600 you can get an AC room. You can book your room in Srinivasam, 45 days earlier. Bang opposite the railway station, you can see Sri Venkateswara Guest House, where there are 45 rooms, at Rs. 150 each.

Behind the railway station, there are two choultries, within Sri Govindarajaswamy complex and three choultries in Kodandaswamy complex. The stay here is free. There are common kitchens for those who wish to cook. At Alipiri, there is a guest house with 40 rooms, charging Rs. 100 per day. Bhoodevi Pilgrim amenities complex is next to Alipiri Guest House. Free lockers are available here. Pilgrims can leave their luggage here and complete their daily chores. Sri Padmavathi Guest House is close to Sri Venkateswara University. In this there are 35 AC rooms. They are available from Rs. 300 to Rs. 2,000.  On rush days these rooms are allotted only to VIPs. Sri Srinivasa Kalyana Mandapam, at Rs. 5,000 per day and Sri Padmavathi Kalyana Mandapam, at Rs. 6,000 per day are also available. There is a Pilgrims Amenities Complex in Reningunta.

Lodging facilities at Tirumala can be booked in advance online, at district TTD counters or through Demand Drafts. Also you can get accommodation, by waiting in the queue at Central Reception Office, at Tirumala and booking as per availability. Only if the rooms are vacant, you can get accommodation in this manner. At Tirumala, 625 rooms are allotted freely.  Also, if you pay Rs. 200 security deposit at the time of booking, you will get back the accommodation, while leaving. Similarly, there are Pilgrims Amenities Complexes, at three places in Tirumala. Free lockers are available here. You can avail bathroom and toilet facilities.

At least 2,361 rooms are available at Tirumala for Rs. 50 each and 386 rooms at Rs. 300 each. The Rs. 50 rooms are available throughout the year, through online booking.  Some rooms are specially reserved for VIPs and VVIPs. If the pilgrims do not reach Tirumala and take over their reserved accommodation on time, it will not be available later. The charges too will not be returned.

Demand Drafts

One day's charges for a room can be sent through Demand Draft from any nationalised bank, drawn in favour of Executive Officer, TTD, Tirupati. It should be sent to EO (Reception 1) TTD, Tirumala 517504.  The sender will receive a receipt and an allotment coupon. For booking guest houses and Kalyana Mandapams in Tirumala, you can log in at http://tirumala.org.

Services at Tirumala

Anyone who would like to participate in the service activities at Tirumala, are welcome. Healthy individuals, within the age group of 18 to 60 years can register their names online, at TTD Forum. Even Parakamani services, where the innumerable donations to the deity are counted, can be rendered. TTD has employed 40 of its staff members to count Hundi collections. But for counting the huge number of donations and gifts that are offered at Tirumala, any number of workers is not sufficient.  Retired or still employed, bank and insurance employees are usually selected for this task. But no salary or honorarium is paid for these services by TTD.

Tiruchanur

This is a pilgrim centre just 4 km away from Tirupati. It is the temple town of Goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Tirumala Lord. Tiruchanur is also known as Alivelu Mangapuram. The deity here is considered as Goddess Sri Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu.

There is a lake close to the temple, called Padma Saravoram. It is believed that the deity appeared as child in a golden lotus, on the fifth day (panchami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla) of Karthikam (month). In honour of this occasion, annual Brahmotsavams are celebrated for the deity, in the month of Karthikam.  Lakhs of devotees come from far off places, to witness the events during Brahmotsavams. They consider the last day of the festivities as very important, when 'Chakrasnanam' is done in the lake.  
Two other temples that are on the same premises as Padmavathi temple, are Sri Krishna Swamy temple and Sri Sundararaja Swamy temple. Lord Suryanarayana Swamy temple is also opposite Padmavathi temple.

Sevas for Ammavaru

Suprabhatam takes place daily at 5 a.m., and on Fridays at 3.30 a.m. Sahasra Namaarchana is performed daily at 5.30 a.m. and at 4 a.m., on Fridays. A devotee per ticket is allowed to witness this.  Padmavathi Parinayam, is a Kalyanam programme that is performed at 10.30 a.m. A couple can witness this with one ticket.

Unjal Seva is done daily from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Fridays it is performed from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Kumkumarchana is performed daily from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.  It is performed twice, later in the day, from 3 p.m., to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ekantha Seva is performed at 9 p.m. Ashtadala Paadapadmaaradhana is performed on Mondays at 6.45 a.m.

Thirupaavada Seva is performed on Thursdays at 7 a.m. Abhisekham is performed on Fridays at 5.30 a.m. Lakshmi Puja is performed at 9 a.m. on the day Uttarashada star is in ascendant.
The other Sevas that are performed here are: Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva, every Friday at 5 p.m.; Pushpanjali Seva, every Saturday at 6.45 p.m.; Vastralankarana, every Friday at 5.30 a.m.;  Sahasra Kalasabhisekham, first Wednesday of every month, at 6.45 a.m., Vasanthotsavam, every year in May; Varalakshmi Vratam, every year in August, Pavithrotsavam, in September every year; Lakshkumkumarchana in November every year; Gajavaahana and Garudavaahana Sevas during Brahmotsavams and Pushpa Yaagam, next day of Panchamitheertham.

Darshanams

Sarva Darshanam, Pratyeka Darshanam, VIP Darsnam, Abhisekha Anantharam Darsanam (only on Fridays) and Ashirvachanam by Veda Pundits are also available