The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in the holy hill town of Tirumala in the state of Andhra Pradesh is one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers across the globe which houses Lord Venkateswara, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Of the hundreds of rituals that are carried out at this old temple, one particular ritual has found itself in the hearts of people, and that is the Unjal Seva or Dolotsavam of the Swing Festival.
This every day spiritual procedure is a very special kind of demonstration available to pilgrims since they have a chance to see the God in an angelic and cozy area. This paper takes a closer look at what Unjal Seva is about, how it started, what the process entails, what it means spiritually, how to reserve and the divine experience that it encapsulates.
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Brief of Unjal Seva
Unjal Seva is another sweet ritual that is done by Sri Venkateswara Temple everyday where processional idols of Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts, The Goddess Sridevi and the Goddess Bhudevi are gently rocked on a painted swing or an unjal in the Aina Mahal, also called the Addala Mandapam or the Mirror Hall. Unjal is the word used to mean swing and Dolotsavam is the word used to mean festival of swing which is an interactive and play like activity between the divine and the followers.
The Oval shaped Mirror Hall, which stands in opposition to Ranganayaka Mandapam in the temple premises, is decorated with mirrors on both the sides of the four walls and the reflective experience of the deities is astounding to observe and to impart an illusion of a spiritual aura.
The ritual generally commences during the afternoon, normally between 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM, but changes slightly according to the time schedule of the temple, in particular the subsequent execution of some other major rituals such as Kalyanotsavam (the divine wedding ceremony).
The Aina Mahal is filled with antique lamps and all surroundings have a warm illumination which gives the presentations a rhythmic chanting of Vedic mantra and soulful melodies of Mangala Vadyam which are the divine musical tools.
Spiritual Significance
Unjal Seva is more than a ritual; it is a symbolic act of devotion that represents the harmonious relationship between the divine and the devotee. The gentle rocking of the swing signifies the rhythmic flow of life, with the Lord’s presence offering stability and grace amidst its oscillations.
The mirrors in the Aina Mahal reflect the divine forms, symbolizing the omnipresence of Lord Venkateswara in every aspect of existence. For devotees, participating in Unjal Seva is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment, as it allows them to witness the Lord in a relaxed and intimate setting, fostering a sense of closeness to the divine.
The ritual also holds mythological significance, as it is said to evoke the playful and loving aspects of Lord Venkateswara’s divine personality. The act of swinging the deities is seen as an offering of love and reverence, a gesture that mirrors the care and devotion of the devotees.
The chanting of Vedic mantras during the seva invokes divine blessings, while the Mangala Vadyam enhances the spiritual vibrancy, making the experience both uplifting and transformative.
The Ritual Process
The Unjal Seva starts by the devotees arriving at the Supadam entrance in the morning of 11:30 approximately one hour before the ceremony. Ticket checking is done and pilgrims guided into Aina Mahal where they are seated to see the ceremony.
The processional idols of Lord Malayappa Swamy (variant of Lord Venkateswara), Sridevi, and Bhudevi are carried to the swing which is exquisitely graced with flowers and silks not to mention elaborate decorations. The ritual is done in the traditional clothes by the priests with total dedication as they chant Vedic hymns and the swing is rocked back and forth.
It takes approximately 30-45 minutes, and in that time, the ceremony participants are taken to the heavenly atmosphere with the help of the music and the chants and the sense of beauty caused by the reflectivity of the Mirror Hall. Men with the tickets are given a chance to have darshan (sacred glimpse) of the main deity, Lord Venkateswara, in the sanctum sanctorum at the end of the seva.
They are combined with the queue lines of other paid services in a smooth darshan experience. Along with this, every ticket holder is given two small laddus also known as Tirupati prasadam, bought to confer divine blessings, and in certain instances a piece of sacred cloth called vastra-bahumanam.
Booking and Participation Details
- Unjal Seva is a sort of volunteer activity which has to be booked quite carefully as the tickets are not available so easily and it is very popular.
- Each ticket costs Rs. 200 per head and the quantity of tickets per day is around 150 tickets but according to other sources 4,600 to 4,800 tickets is issued per month.
- Using the official site of TTD (tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in), the devotees can reserve two tickets each with one login ID.
- Those below the age of 12 can enter without payment of a ticket as long as their parents accompany them.
- The booking process is organized with first come first serve basis and tickets are normally released for sale on the first Friday of every month at 10:00 AM.
- Fans must create enterprise on the TTD site and they should submit authentic identification evidence that will be signed and printed by them to verify at the temple.
- Dress code is strictly traditional: men will have to put on a dhoti or kurta-pajama, whereas women will be expected to wear a saree, half-saree, a churidar, with a dupatta.
Western clothing is forbidden as this makes their ritual sacred.
Devotees ought to:
- Access the web site of TTD and sign in with a registered mobile number and OTP.
- Click on the Pilgrim Services by going to the Nav services where you will find the link to Arjitha Seva.
- When it comes to Unjal Seva, you can select it and select an available time slot and day.
- Add the details of devotees with name, age, gender, ID proof.
- Clear the payment either through net banking, UPI or credit/debit card.
- Download and print the ticket to hand at the entrance of Supadam.
Booking should start early because of the limited quota allocated and devotees must remember to log in a few minutes ahead of time of ticket release to ensure getting their slots.
Here’s the full English translation of your Tamil text with headings added for clarity. I have not changed a single letter, only translated and organized with headings:
About Unjal Seva
Among these we will see in detail about the seva called Unjal Seva, also known as Dolotsavam. For these four Srivari Arjitha Sevas, two types of Darshan tickets are given:
- Srivari Arjitha Seva Tickets
- Virtual Online Participation Arjitha Seva Tickets
If you book Srivari Arjitha Seva Tickets, we can attend the seva directly in Tirumala and after the seva ends, on the same day we can also have darshan of the Moolavar (main deity) Lord Venkateswara.
If you book Virtual Online Participation Arjitha Seva Tickets, we cannot attend the seva in person in Tirumala. Instead, you can watch the seva through SVBC channel on TV or YouTube. Only for darshan of Lord Venkateswara, we need to go to Tirumala on the selected date.
Booking of Tickets
Srivari Arjitha Seva Tickets can be booked through the TTD App or TTD Website. These tickets are released online three months in advance.
- For example, if the booking for August opens, then it will be for darshan in November.
- If the booking opens in September, it will be for December darshan.
So, tickets are always issued three months in advance.
TTD issues Srivari Arjitha Seva tickets online in the third week of every month.
From one mobile number login, a minimum of one Unjal Seva ticket and maximum of two tickets can be booked.
The cost of one Unjal Seva ticket is ₹500.
Accommodation Rules
To book TTD rooms in Tirumala or Tirupati online, it is compulsory to have at least one darshan ticket. With the Unjal Seva ticket, we can book rooms online.
If you have booked two darshan tickets from the same login, only then the “Book Accommodation” link will be enabled below your darshan ticket. If you booked only one ticket, the accommodation link will not be enabled.
Accommodation booking opens on specific days announced by TTD. On that day, you can use the “Book Accommodation” link under your darshan ticket to book rooms.
Important rule: Rooms will not be given to single ticket holders.
Children below 12 years do not require darshan tickets, but proof of age such as Aadhaar card or school ID card must be carried.
Freezing Period (180 Days Rule)
If you book any of the four Srivari Arjitha Sevas or any annual Arjitha Sevas like Teppotsavam, Vasantotsavam, Pavithrotsavam, Pushpayagam, or Jyeshtabhishekam, then the login mobile number, mail ID, and Aadhaar number used will be frozen for 180 days.
This 180 days count starts from the darshan date, not the booking date. Whether you attend or not, it will still be counted.
Once booked, Arjitha Seva tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled. Only after completing 180 days from the darshan date, you can book another Arjitha Seva ticket.
This 180 days rule is not to be compared with the 30 days rule for ₹300 Special Entry Darshan or the 90 days rule for Anga Pradakshinam / Senior Citizen Darshan.
Reporting Time and Place
Unjal Seva ticket holders must report at 11 AM at Supatham Entrance, located at the beginning of the South Mada Street adjoining the Tirumala temple.
- Seva starts at 2:00 PM.
- Venue: Aina Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) inside Tirumala Temple.
- After darshan of the main deity, a small laddu prasadam will be given.
Dress Code
- Men: Shirt & Dhoti or Kurta & Pajama. Pants are not allowed.
- Women: Saree or Chudidar with Dupatta.
- Children: No dress code.
Rules for Belongings
Mobile phones, luggage, smart watches, and electronic gadgets are not allowed. You must leave them in your booked room or deposit them at the Supatham counter before entering. After darshan, you can collect them back.
Security and Checking Process
At Supatham:
- Police officers will first check your darshan ticket.
- Then TTD officials will verify Aadhaar card and ticket, marking it with a tick.
- Next, baggage scanning and personal checking will be done.
- TTD officials will scan your ticket in the system and allow you into the compartment.
After this, you will join the queue along with other darshan ticket holders. Again, there will be scanning and checking before entering the temple.
Sequence of Events
- First, have darshan of the main deity Lord Venkateswara.
- Collect the small laddu prasadam.
- Wait in Aina Mahal for Unjal Seva to begin.
At around 1:45 PM, after the Kalyanotsavam seva, Sri Devi, Bhu Devi, and Malayappa Swami will be brought with mangala vadhyam and umbrellas to Aina Mahal.
Inside the hall, the Utsava Murti will be seated on the swing. Since the hall is small and surrounded by mirrors, devotees can see reflections of the Lord from all sides.
Seva starts exactly at 2:00 PM, with chanting of mantras, and ends by 2:45 PM with Maha Deepa Harathi.
After that, devotees are allowed to go inside the mirror hall and circumambulate once around the swing. Because the hall is small, this darshan is very close.
Finally, prasadam of almonds, cashews, and sugar candy will be distributed.
Important Note
- First, you must have darshan of the main deity.
- After darshan, do not exit the temple immediately.
- You must wait for Unjal Seva in the hall.
- After seva, exit the temple.
After seva, at the Laddu counter, with your darshan ticket you can collect one free laddu worth ₹50. Extra laddus can be purchased: small laddu ₹50, big laddu ₹200.
FAQs
- Can we only have darshan of the main deity without attending the seva?
Yes, seva is not compulsory. But once you exit after darshan, you cannot re-enter to attend the seva. - Why is reporting time at 11 AM though seva starts at 2 PM?
Because on crowded days, darshan itself might take longer. To manage unexpected crowds, reporting time is kept at 11 AM. You must report by 11 AM, not earlier. Latest reporting should be by 12 noon.
If darshan is delayed, you may miss seva. Hence reporting time is strict.