Venkateswara

How to recognise Venkateswara

1. Standing poseHe stands upright and frontal on a simple lotus pedestal, four-armed and about eight to ten feet tall in the main image (the Dhruva Bera, 'the immovable one'); in this form he is never seated or reclining.
2. Discus and conchThe two raised upper hands carry the Sudarshana Chakra (discus) and the Shankha, the conch called Panchajanya, the classic emblems of Vishnu.
3. Hands of refugeThe lower right hand points down toward his lotus feet, which devotees read as the Lord offering himself as the only refuge, while the lower left rests on his hip.
4. TirunamamA broad white tilaka of refined camphor, with a dark Kasturi mark between its two white patches, rises so high on his forehead that it nearly covers the eyes.
5. Crown and earringsA gold crown (kiritam) set with a large emerald crowns him, with a diamond crown used on special occasions, and golden makara kundalas, crocodile-shaped earrings, hang at his ears.
6. Lakshmi on the chestLakshmi is seated on his right chest and Padmavati on his left, with the Srivatsa mark, the Kaustubha gem and a knee-length Vaijayanti garland, and a sacred thread crosses from the left shoulder.
7. Yellow dhoti, jewels and tulsiHe wears a yellow dhoti with a gold belt hung with small bells, many layered necklaces and snake-shaped armlets, and tulsi leaves are traditionally heaped at his feet.

Names and titles

• Lord of the Seven HillsHe dwells on the seven hills of Tirumala
• Srinivasa, Home of SriOne of his names; Lakshmi (Sri) is carved seated on his chest
• Bridegroom of PadmavatiHis marriage to the princess Padmavati is the founding story of his temple
• Giver of Blessings in the Kali YugaHe is said to reside at Tirumala to bless devotees in the Kali Yuga
• Eyes Beneath the NamamHis broad white tilaka nearly covers his eyes, leaving the gentle smile visible

Feast days

• Chakra Snanam20 October 2026

  The closing rite of the nine-day Brahmotsavam, in which Sudarshana Chakrattalwar, Vishnu's discus in personified form, is bathed in the temple tank. Agama tradition holds that it marks the completion of all the festival's rituals. It closes the same festival as the Garuda Vahana Seva.

  How it's celebrated. Before dawn, Malayappa Swami, his consorts and Chakrattalwar are carried to the Varaha Swamy temple beside Swami Pushkarini. There they receive the Snapana Tirumanjanam bathing rite. Priests then immerse Chakrattalwar in the tank while thousands of devotees bathe at the same moment. Some devotees hold this bath equal to bathing in the Ganga.

  Sources: Deccan Chronicle: Tirumala Brahmotsavams conclude with Chakra Snanam · TTD News: Swami Pushkarini readied for Chakrasnanam · Wikipedia: Swami Pushkarini

• Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadashi20 December 2026

  The Ekadashi of Dhanurmasa, dedicated to Vishnu and known as Mukkoti Ekadashi in Telugu-speaking regions. At Tirumala, devotees believe that passing through the Vaikunta Dwaram, the 'gate of heaven', brings moksha.

  How it's celebrated. The Vaikunta Dwaram, a passage around the sanctum, is opened only for this period. For 2026 it is expected to open in the early hours and stay open ten days, with the first three days by lucky-dip token. Malayappa Swami and his consorts are processed on a golden chariot that morning, and Chakra Snanam follows on Dwadashi. Other Vishnu temples keep similar northern 'gates to Vaikuntha'.

  Sources: Tirupati Tirumala Info: Vaikunta Ekadashi 2026 · Wikipedia: Vaikuntha Ekadashi

• Ratha Saptami13 February 2027

  Kept on Magha Shukla Saptami as Surya Jayanti, the birthday of the Sun god Surya, who is believed to have given light and knowledge to the world. At Tirumala it is called a one-day or mini Brahmotsavam.

  How it's celebrated. At Tirumala, Malayappa Swami is carried around the Mada streets from dawn to night on seven vahanas, beginning with Surya Prabha and ending with Chandra Prabha. Devotees gather before sunrise to see the first rays touch the deity, as Aditya Hridayam and Suryashtakam are chanted. Elsewhere devotees traditionally bathe before dawn and offer water to the rising sun.

  Sources: TTD News: Ratha Saptami to be observed at Tirumala · Deccan Chronicle: Sea of humanity witnesses Ratha Saptami in Tirumala · Tirtha Yatra: How Ratha Sapthami is celebrated in Tirumala