40 tonnes of flowers used for decorating Lord Venkateswara

Tirumala: Garlands, cut flowers and aromatic (scented) leaves play a significant role and each one of them has a specific identity in the legends and lores of the Tirumala temple. According to ‘Tiruvai Mozhi,’ (Tamil Divyaprabhandam), Lord of the seven hills was known for his love of flowers and flowery decorations.

Temple chief priest Venugopala Dikshitulu says that on any single day the majestic idol of the deity is decorated with nearly 100-feet length of flower garlands. The court yard of Srivari Temple near Ranganayakula Mandapam is a grand spectacle of colourful and bright flowers artistically decorating the entire open area.

Special focus is made to put up flowers and scented leaves in the area to give relief to the devotees, who come out of queue lines, after long hours of wait. The rich decorations prove Lord Balaji is Alankarapriya, one who loved good dress, jewellery and specific garlands for specific occasions and rituals including his public appearance events like Vahana processions and Unjal sevas etc.

Fifteen varieties of flower garlands besides Tulasi, mango and betel leaves and saligramam are used in the Srivari Temple. On Thursdays, flowers and garlands get priority over jewellery in the decoration of the Mula Virat, who blesses devotees in Poolangi (seva) say temple officials.

The chief priest says the garlands were made from specially brought cut flowers of nearly 27 varieties and six types of aromatic leaves from the gardens of the Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala and also from Tiruchengode in Tamil Nadu. “In all, we are using 40 tonnes of flowers during Brahmotsavams including 2 lakh cut flowers and 60,000 seasonal flowers,” says G Srinivasulu, Deputy Director (Gardens).

This include over 15 tonnes of flowers imported from overseas and other locations in India and over 200 women work day and night to prepare almost 2,000 yards of flower malas every day for God, the shrine and also decorations in guest houses, offices and also public locations.

Srinivasulu said the TTD is raising flowers like marigold, jasmine and aromatic plants like Tulasi that are heavy use in the Tirumala temple and also to import flowers from other states and countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia to give a special effect to the festivals like Brahmotsavams, Pushpayagam, Pavitrotsavam and Ratha Saptami etc.

Garlands of Lord
The prominent garlands adorning the deity are–Shikhamani, Saligrama Mala, Vruksha Sthala Lakshmi, Shanku Chakram, Kathasari Saram etc., ranging from three yards to eight yards in length. Each garland has a special purpose and message in Agama texts and was meant for special occasions. Some are also designed for daily use as garlands adorn the deity from toe to head and shoulders and also all over body and hands.

An average of 25 to 50 kilos of marigold flowers and 5 kilos of scented leaves are used in the making of garlands and decoration of the sanctum of Srivari temple. The garlands are kept in air-conditioned chambers in the temple complex for decoration of the deity and also the utsava idols during the festivals and rituals.

TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal says that a team of special grade officers are deployed for upkeep of Lord’s garlands, dresses and jewellery particularly during the Brahmotsavams.