“NAIVEDYAM SAMARPAYAMI”-RITUAL OF OFFERING FOOD TO LORD

As per the Hindu Dharma, the offering of food items forms part of the ‘Upacharas’ or Services offered to a deity who has had the Prana Prathistha ritual performed to it. Therefore the murthi or vigraha is revered as a living entity who is offered food, fruits etc. among others and it is considered as “Naivedyam”. In Sanskrit Naivedyam simply means offering to Lord.

According to legendary when Lord Vishnu decided to descend to Earth in Archa form as Lord Venkateswara, He commissioned Sage Vaikhanasa to prepare ancient religious texts called Agama Shastras.

Sage Vikhanasa forumulated Vaikhanasa Agama and prescribed the tenets which are being followed even today in all the major srivaishnavaite temples which includes types of “Naivedyam” also.

NAIVEDYAM RENDERED TO LORD AS PER AGAMA TENETS

The traditional process of offering Naivedyam to Lord Venkateswara is continued even today as per the tenets of Vaikhanasa Agama without any deviation.

After Mantrasanam(awakening lord by chanting mantras), the Snanasanam (the celestial bath) and Yatrasanam (conducting Durbar) are performed as part of the Archana in Tirumala temple every day. Now it is the time for offering food to the Lord and this ritual is called Bhojyasanam and the offering is called ‘Naivedyam’. The food offering is a process that is guided by strict procedures, preparations and timings.

Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra prescribes the vessels to cook are to be made of gold, silver, copper or earthen pots. The fire for cooking is to be brought from the Yagasala– the place where all the everyday fire rituals are performed within the temple. The fuel for the fire must come from a Mango tree or Ashwatha or Palasa.

DIVINE KITCHEN CLOSES IN THE NIGHT

The kitchen is closed for the night after the preparation of divine dinner and re-opens again early in the morning when the vaikhanasa cooks arrive after the stipulated morning ablutions. Before offering Naivedyam to Lord the next day, the Antaralam-sanctum sanctorum is cleaned and it is called “Suddhi”.

MANTRAS INVOLVED WHILE OFFERING NAIVEDYAM

After cleansing the Sanctum Sanctorum where the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara is present, the Archaka recites Vishnu Gayatri Mantra and offers Naivedyam to Lord which is prepared afresh.

TYPES OF “NAIVEDYAM” OFFERED TO LORD

The three major offerings are Bala Bhogam, Raja Bhogam and Shayana Bhogam. Along with these three regular offerings there are other Naivedyams made for special occasions too.

During Suprabhatha Seva, every morning, raw milk that is fresh and warm (Darshana Go- Ksheeram) and fresh butter (Navaneetam) are the first food offering made to the Lord Venkateswara. Suprabhatam is then followed by Tomala Seva and Sahasra Naamaarchana.

During the ritual of Yatraasanam, Lord is offered with a mixture of jaggery, black sesame seeds and dried ginger, all powdered together. This is followed by Sahasranaamaarchana and Bala Bhogam which completes the rituals of the morning (Praathahkaalaaaraadhana).

After devotees take their darsan during Sarvadarsan, Raja Bhogam along with Ashtottharasatanamarchana are performed.

Later, during the evening rituals or Saayankalaradhana, the sanctum is cleansed again and the deity is decorated with fresh flowers. At the end of the Sayana Bhogam, the midnight food offering known as ‘Tiruveesam’ is offered to Him. It consists of white rice and a sweet flavoured rice made with jaggery and called Guddanannam.

The last ritual of the day, Ekaanta Seva ends with an offering of warm milk, along with seasonal cut fruits and dry fruits roasted in ghee are offered to the Lord.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER MENU OF LORD VENKATESWARA !

Lord of Riches also enjoys various mouthwatering annaprasadams and other delicacies for his breakfast, lunch and dinner.

TYPES OF PRASADAMS

For “Divine Break Fast” after First Bell in the temple, Anna prasadams like Matrannam, Mudgannam (ghee pongal), Tintrinirasannam (tamarind rice-pulihora) Dadhyodhanam (Curd rice), Gudannam (jaggery rice, Chakra Pongal), Sakannam (kadambam rice made of vegetables), Shakkarannam (Ravakesari) are prepared.

Besides these, four other kinds of snacks or Panyaramulu (savory) are also offered to Lord every day. They include Ladukam (Laddu), Mashappam (vada), Gudappam (appam), Chakrappam (dosa).

After second bell, Lunch or Raja Bhogam menu is offered to Lord. The delicacies during this hour includes Suddhannam (plain white rice), Pulihora Gudannam, Dadhyodhanam, Seera or Sakkarabath.

For Dinner or ShayanaBhogam after the third bell, Marichyannam or pepper rice, Chakrappam, Dosa , Ladukam, Mashappam, Sakkarannam are offered.