Ugra Srinivasamurthy Procession in Tirumala on November1

The once in a year procession of Ugra Srinivasamurty will be observed in Tirumala on November 1 on the auspicious occasion of Kaisika Dwadasi.

The idol of ‘Ugra Srinivasamurty’ will be brought out of the sanctum sanctorum of the hill temple only once in a year on this day and taken out in a grand procession around the mada streets encircling the holy shrine before the break of the dawn on a golden palanquin as is the tradition.

Later the priests conducts Asthanam to the deities inside the temple and read out the significance of the festival.

Ugra Srinivasa is one of the idols in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala. “Ugra” means anger and the idol which was originally called Venkatatturaivar is supposed to represent the anger aspect of Lord Venkateswara. He is also known as “Snapana Murti”.

Legend

Legend has it that fire broke out in the village destroying houses during Brahmotsavam at Tirumala in the 14th century A.D. When prayers were offered to the God, a vision appeared to a devotee with a message from Lord Srinivasa himself. With the change in times, the Ugra Srinivasa idol could no longer remain the procession idol and a new idol would be found as utsava murti (Malayappa swami). The Ugra Srinivasa idol is no longer brought out of the temple after sunrise and it is believed that sunrays touching the idol would spark fire in the temple complex.

Apart from Dhruva Bera, the idol of Ugra Srinivasa is the oldest idol in the temple. The date when the idol was consecrated is unknown though records indicate that the idol existed much before the Bhoga Srinivasa was presented in the 10th century AD. Records show that the idol was used as utsava murti till the 14th century when Malayappa swami was found and used as utsava murti.

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