This year, the Balaji Jayanti is on December 16, 2022. Preparations start many days in advance for this much-awaited festival. On this day, the temple is cleaned and decorated with various flowers and the idol of Lord Balaji is adorned with new clothes, jewellery and garlands.
The worshippers wake up early on this day to offer prayers to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Before reaching the temple, the devotees take a bath and perform ‘Angapradakshina’ to surrender themselves to the deity and to rid of their sins and ego.
At Tirupati Balaji Temple, also known as Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s divine abode on earth), the evening Maha Aarti is performed and is observed by hundreds of devotees from across the world. After the Aarti, prasad is distributed among all the devotees.
Some devotees also worship Lord Balaji at home by offering the deity turmeric, garlands and other auspicious things. The poojas at home are performed with an idol or image of the deity. The worshippers also chant mantras like ‘Om Namo Narayana’, considered a salient chant to purify one’s soul.
In some communities, a tradition of offering hair to Lord Venkateshwara is observed. The devotees shave their heads and offer their hair to the deity. It is believed, this offering can help the devotees get rid of the negativity in their life.
According to folklore, the donation of hair at Tirupati Balaji is considered very auspicious. The belief is that the Lord multiplies the wealth of those who offer their hair to the deity. According to popular belief, those who worship Lord Balaji wholeheartedly attain salvation and peace in their life.
While visiting Tirupati Tirumala temple, you can pick
Raj Park Hotel, Tirupati, as your stay option. The hotel is at the foothills of the mountain range on which the Tirupati Balaji temple is, making it easier for devotees to reach the temple on time. The spacious and pristine rooms come with a waterfall view and hill view providing a comfortable and memorable experience for guests. The patrons can also enjoy the delectable cuisines at our in-house restaurant offering a fine-dining experience.
