Alankara Priyo Vishnu - Different Types of Vastrams Adorned to Lord Venkateswara

Tirumala, 15 September 2017: Alankara Priyo Vishnuhu” - Lord Venkateswara who is believed to be one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu is symbol for wealth as His beloved consort is Lakshmi Devi-the Goddess of Wealth. Therefore He likes to wear excellent garments, jewels and flowers and hence known as “Alankara Priya”-admirer of decoration. He adores different clothes on different occasions and costly jewels too.

Several kings and dynasties have contributed a lot to Tirumala temple in the form of lands, precious stones studded gold ornaments, costliest pure silk clothes etc.

The following are list of Vastrams and their names that are being adorned to Lord Venkateswara during various occasions.

(1) Melchat Vastram - This is a typical large size 24 x 4 yards Vastram adorned to the presiding deity on every Friday after abhishekam. Normally the melchat vastrams are donated by devotees during abhishekam to the Lord on Fridays. Apart from Melchat another four yard vastram is used to cover the Head of the Lord. It will be a feast to the eyes to see the Lord of the Universe draped colourfully in Melchat Vastram 

(2) Uttariyam - The Uttariyams (silk) are used on special occasions like, Deepavali, Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam etc. The uttariyams will be brought with all paraphernalia into the sanctum sanctorum amidst vedic recitations. The two yard vastram will be tied to the head of the Lord as Parivattam (tied to the Crown with a knot to the right side). The twelve yard vastram will be adorned as Tomala (around the shoulder till the end of the foot of the Lord on both sides) and another cloth to the Katari or long Sword of the Lord. This uttariyam is also called ‘Adda Tomala Vastram’. 

(3) Gadwal Yeeravada -This cloth is draped as a cushion to the bare head of Mulavarlu (main deity) before putting the kireetam (Crown), to fit the crown properly. This cloth was prepared and presented by Gadwal Samsthanam and the name is remembered even today as 'Gadwal Yeeravada'. 

(4) Tirupati Bari Ulchathu Vastram - This cloth is used as inner cloth to the body of the Lord up to the waist to keep stiffness to the silk cloth.

(5) Kowpeenam A white cloth to be suspended from the centre of the waist as a Langota is Kowpeenam. 

(6) Vakshasthala Thaayaarla Pattu Vastram or Pavada (Silk clothes adorned to Goddess located on the Bosom of the Lord) A Silk or Garment for Vakshasthala Thaayaar will be tied after special Abhishekam located on the right bosom of presiding deity.

(7) Duppata Pattu Vastram: Everyday this new vastram will be adorned to Sri Malayappaswami during Kalyanotsavam and also new silk sarees to Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. 

(8) Pattu Vastram to Bhoga Srinivasamurthi: This silk cloth is adorned to Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, the silver replica idol of Lord during Sahasra Kalasabhishekam ritual on Wednesdays.

(9) Pattu Vastram to other Beras: Koluvu Srinivasamurthi: This silk cloth will be adorned to Koluvu Srinivasamurthi on Sravana star and on Ekadasi days. Ugra Srinivasamurthi: A silk Vastram will be adorned thrice in a month. For other parivara deities pattu (silk) new vastrams will be adorned on their Thirunakshatram days respectively.

(10) Bhatmal Paavada: This sacred cloth is usually adorned to the Goddesses, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on every wednesday. 

(11) Peethambaram: 'Peethaambaram' means golden yellow. In the Tirumala temple of Lord Venkateswara, the main deity is adorned by a shining gold plated Peethaambaram around the waist on special occasions like Ugadi Asthanam, Deepavali Asthanam etc. 

(12) Seshavastram: This cloth is considered very sacred as it is worn by the main deity of Lord Venkateswara. This vastram is given away to local temples and other sub-temples TTD. It is also given as an honorific vastram to the protocol dignitaries, when they visit Tirumala. 

The sacred adornments show the glory of Lord Venkateswara and He is undoubtedly the Lord of Riches.