First thing that hits if one visits Tirumala shrine is the is not just the green and rocky surroundings but also the symbols like Shanku, Chakra and the Thirunamam. Thirunamam, the splendor of red sindhur amidst a white patch of camphor is synonymous with Tirumala Tirupati and Lord Venkateswara who is also popular as Lord Balaji.
Thirunama Dharana has become a synonym with the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara as the devotees wish to wear the Tilakam on their fore head while they are entering inside the shrine to have darshan of Lord.
Significance of Tirunamam
The flame shaped red mark represents “Atma”(soul). Some zealous devotees wear the namam even on the exterior of the upper arms, over the chest and below the spinal cord area at the back to showcase their devotion towards Lord. The Thirunamam is also called Tottu Namam and Thiruman. The devotees strongly feel that wearing Tirunamam is a mark of their veneration for Lord Venkateswara from heart and mind.
Tirunamam represents the ‘Sacred name of God’. Namam also gives identification as servants of Lord Venkateswara. TTD has made elaborate arrangements of providing the Tirunamam tools at the Vaikuntham queue complexes, Seeghra Darshan, Diyadarshan, Sarva Darshan complexes, Anna prasadam complex, Laddu counters, Varaha Swamy temple, four-mada streets and the Kalyana katta besides host of sub -temples in and around Tirumala.
The TTD has already bought a sea change of the sartorial taste of the devotees by making desi dress mandatory for all the arjita seva and Rs.300 devotees who come for the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. Now with the drive for wearing Thirunamam, TTD aims to infuse larger devotion and following among the devotees when in Tirumala.
About 130 Srivari Seva volunteers in two shifts are being deputed for this service to pilgrims, office staff by TTD. During his recent visit to Tirumala, the Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri N Chandra Babu Naidu also lauded the efforts of TTD and services of Srivari Sevakulu in promoting Tirunama Dharana to pilgirms in hill town.
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