Snapana Tirumanjanam at Tirumala

The protective golden armour that always adorns Malayappa, Sridevi and Bhudevi deities are ceremoniously extracted a fortnight before the actual ritual. During the ceremony , all three deities are brought onto the special dais called the ‘Kalyana Mandapam’, that lies within the Sampangipr Akaram (the second circumambulatory path) of the ancient temple. A holy bath, comprising of 108 silver pots filled with holy contents (Kushodakam, Ratnodakam, Ksheerodakam, etc, 9 sets of 12 different dravyams) are offered amidst divine chantings of the Panchasuktas.

Snapana Tirumanjanam at Tirumala is rightly termed as ‘Ashtottara Sata Kalasha Snapana Tirumanjanam’. In the evening, the deities are adorned with a most exquisite and dazzling armour called ‘Vajra Kavacha‘ covered entirely in priceless diamonds. Thus bedecked in one of His most precious and beautiful jewel, Malayappa along with His divine Consorts are taken out in a procession along the four streets around the temple. Thousands of devotees throng the streets to witness the Lord in His most dazzling attire.

Read about the stroy behind the Vajra Kavacham – https://tirupatitirumalainfo.com/vajra-kavacham-story-diamond-armour/

Similarly, on the evening of the second day, devotees can feast their eyes with the Lord bedecked with a charming “Muthangi” or an armour of pearls. And the third day begins with a special ritual for sanctifying the redone golden armour. It is then adorned to the Lord in an elaborate ceremony. Once the armour is fixated, all holy ablutions are offered only to the feet of the deity. This practice ensures minimal wearing of the divine icons during this event at Tirumala shrine.