| |
| :: A :: | <Go to top> |
| Aalaya |
| | Temple |
| Abhaya |
| | Fearless; refuge |
| Abhishekam |
| | Ceremonial cleansing of the Lord's idol |
| Acharya |
| | One who shows the right path for others to follow; a preceptor |
| Adisesha |
| | Primeval serpent mythologically conceived to bear the world on his 1000 hoods. Traditionally believed to support Lord Sri Venkateswara upon seven of his hoods, Narasimha on his coiled frame, Mallikarjuna on his twisted tail, and Srikalahastivara at the opening of his mouth. |
| Aditya |
| | Sun God |
| Alankaram |
| | Decoration |
| Alvar |
| | Seer of a specific religious order in the Vaishnavaite Cult |
| Amrit |
| | Nectar which when consumed, grants immortality |
| Angapradakshinam |
| | A vow whereby pilgrims lie prostrate and roll around the temple |
| Ankurarpanam |
| | The start of the Brahmotsavam festival |
| Alipiri |
| | Starting point at the foot of the hills, for pilgrims who wish to reach Tirumala on foot |
| Annadanam |
| | Distribution of free food |
| Annam |
| | Food |
| Annamacharya/Annamayya |
| | (1408-1503 AD); the earliest musician to compose songs in favour of Lord Sri Venkateswara |
| Appams |
| | A sweet dish made of rice flour and offered to the Lord |
| Archaka |
| | Priest |
| Archana |
| | Worship of the Lord |
| Arjita Seva |
| | Any seva for the performance of which pilgrims pay a fee |
| Ashta |
| | Eight |
| Asthanam |
| | Royal Court/Official Chamber of the King |
| Asva |
| | Horse |
| Aushadha |
| | Medicine |
| Avatara |
| | A manifestation of God on Earth, with a specific mission. |
| |
| :: B :: | <Go to top> |
| BIRRD |
| | Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled |
| Bahumanam |
| | Gift |
| Balaji |
| | Another name for Lord Sri Venkateswara |
| Bhagaswamyam |
| | Partnership |
| Bhakti |
| | Devotion |
| Brahma |
| | God of Creation |
| Brahmins |
| | Hindu priests |
| |
| :: C :: | <Go to top> |
| Chakra |
| | The sacred disc (weapon of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu) |
| Chakkera Pongal |
| | Sweet dish made of sugar, milk and rice |
| Chandanam |
| | Sandalwood |
| Chandra |
| | Moon |
| Chaulam |
| | Ear lobe-piercing ceremony |
| Cherupulu |
| | Food offered to the Lord |
| Chinna |
| | Small |
| Chitrannam |
| | A rice preparation, rich in spices |
| Choultry |
| | Guesthouse where accommodation is free of charge. Also called Dharmasala. |
| |
| :: D :: | <Go to top> |
| Daanam |
| | Charitable offering |
| Dadhyodanam |
| | Dish made of spiced rice and curd |
| Daiva |
| | Divine |
| Dakshina |
| | South; Offering money to the Lord |
| Dala |
| | Leaf |
| Darsanam/Darshan |
| | Viewing the idol of the Lord |
| Dasavataram |
| | Ten incarnations of Sri Maha Vishnu |
| Deepam |
| | Lamp |
| Devas |
| | The Gods |
| Devasthanam |
| | Abode of the Gods |
| Dhanya |
| | Cereal |
| Dharma |
| | Set of righteous principles to be followed |
| Dharmasala |
| | Guesthouse where accommodation is free of charge. Also called Choultry. |
| Dhoti |
| | Cloth tied around the waist like a sarong |
| Dhvajasthambham |
| | A sacred pillar in front of the Sri Venkateswara temple |
| Dhyana Yoga |
| | Meditation |
| Divya Ananda Nilaya Vimana |
| | Dome of the abode of divine bliss |
| Divya Vimana |
| | Divine dome |
| Dosa |
| | Pancake made with rice flour, black gram flour and oil |
| Dupatta |
| | Long scarf draped across the shoulders and worn with the salwar kameez. Also see Salwar Kameez. |
| Dvara gopura |
| | Gateway with a sculpted tower above it |
| Dvara/Dvaram/Dwaram |
| | Entrance; gateway |
| Dvarapalakas |
| | Door-keepers |
| |
| :: E :: | <Go to top> |
| Ekangi |
| | Celibate disciple of the Sri Vaishnava Jiyar Matham |
| Ekantam |
| | Private |
| Ekanta Seva |
| | Private service conducted for the Lord, to which pilgrims are not admitted |
| |
| :: G :: | <Go to top> |
| Gadha |
| | Mace which is the sacred weapon of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu |
| Gajam |
| | Elephant |
| Gangala |
| | Brass vessel |
| Garbha griha |
| | The sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Venkateswara Temple which houses the idol of the Lord |
| Garuda |
| | A white-necked Brahmani Kite .He is considered the vehicle of Sri Maha Vishnu |
| Ghat |
| | mountain. Also see Ghats (Eastern) |
| Ghats (Eastern) |
| | Mountain range for a part of these ranges that runs along south-eastern India. Tirumala-Tirupati . |
| Gopuram |
| | The sculpted upper crest of a temple |
| Gotram |
| | The sect to which a devotee belongs |
| Grihastha |
| | Donor |
| Gurkha |
| | Security guard |
| Guru |
| | Teacher |
| |
| :: H :: | <Go to top> |
| Hamsa |
| | Swan |
| Harati |
| | Waving a plate (in which a sacred flame is lit) in front of the Lord's image. Also called Nirajana |
| Harikatha |
| | Musical rendering of divine stories |
| Hiranyakasipu |
| | Demon King who tried to destroy the Earth |
| Hiranyaksa |
| | Younger brother of Hiranyakasipu, who succeeded the latter as Demon King |
| Homam |
| | Sacred fire |
| Hundi |
| | Receptacle for depositing offerings (in cash and kind) for the Lord |
| |
| :: I :: | <Go to top> |
| Ishta Daivam |
| | Favourite deity |
| |
| :: J :: | <Go to top> |
| Janaloka |
| | One of the seven regions above the Earth |
| Japam |
| | Sacred word that is chanted repeatedly |
| Jata |
| | Twisted hair that hangs down in coils at the back of the Lord Sri Venkateswara's idol |
| Jeghanta |
| | Cymbals |
| Jilebi |
| | Spiral-shaped sweet dish made of flour and jaggery jelly |
| Jyeshtha |
| | Name of a month in the Hindu calendar |
| |
| :: K :: | <Go to top> |
| Kainkaryam |
| | Ritualistic offering to God or worship of God |
| Kali Yuga |
| | The Dark Age |
| Kalpa |
| | Age or aeon. Also called Yuga |
| Kalyana Katta |
| | Place where devotees have their hair cut as an offering to the Lord |
| Kalyanam |
| | Marriage |
| Kalyana Mandapam |
| | Marriage Hall |
| Kalyanotsavam |
| | Celebration of the divine marriage between Lord Sri Venkateswara and Sri Padmavathi Devi |
| Kankanam |
| | Metal bracelet worn around the wrist |
| Kapila |
| | Grey-coloured |
| Karma Yoga |
| | deeds |
| Karpooram |
| | Camphor |
| Kasturitilakam |
| | Lineament of musk drawn on the Lord's forehead |
| Katika |
| | Placed on the waist |
| Keertanas |
| | devotional songs |
| Kiritam |
| | Crown |
| Koil |
| | Temple |
| Koluvu |
| | Darbar |
| Kula Daivam |
| | Family Deity |
| |
| :: L :: | <Go to top> |
| Laddu |
| | Spherical-shaped sweet made of flour and jaggery/sugar |
| |
| :: M :: | <Go to top> |
| Madhura bhakti |
| | Deep devotion |
| Maha |
| | Great |
| Mahatmya/Mahatmyam |
| | Greatness |
| Mahatva |
| | Importance |
| Makara Kundalas |
| | ornaments shaped like an alligator, that adorn the ears of the main idol of the Lord |
| Mandapam |
| | structure or monument with rich sculpture meant for a specific purpose like performing fine arts |
| Mantra |
| | Sacred word(s) to be chanted repeatedly |
| Mantrodaka |
| | Sacred water |
| Matsya Avatara |
| | Manifestation of Lord Vishnu as a fish |
| Muhurtam |
| | Auspicious time |
| Mukhadvaram |
| | Main entrance (door) at the front of the temple |
| Mukkoti |
| | Three crore (merging of three crore teerthams in the Swami Pushkarini). |
| Mukti/Moksha |
| | Liberation of the soul |
| Mulaberam |
| | The central idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara |
| Murthi |
| | Statue |
| Mutyam |
| | Pearl |
| |
| :: N :: | <Go to top> |
| Nacchimars |
| | The Lord's two consorts |
| | Sridevi and Bhudevi |
| Naivedyam |
| | Food offering |
| Namakarana |
| | Naming ceremony |
| Namam |
| | White caste-mark on the Lord's forehead |
| Narada |
| | The supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu; a connoisseur of all arts; a devarishi (according to the Bhagavad Gita 10:26) |
| Narasimha |
| | Lord Vishnu's manifestation, with the face of a lion and the body of a human |
| Narayana |
| | Lord Sri Maha Vishnu |
| Nava |
| | Nine |
| Nayaka |
| | Leader |
| Nija |
| | Real, Original |
| Niluvudopidi |
| | Offering to the Lord, the clothes/ornaments that one is wearing when one visits the temple |
| Nirajana |
| | See harati |
| Nivedana |
| | Offer/present |
| |
| :: O :: | <Go to top> |
| Om |
| | The sacred syllable |
| Om Sri Venkatesaya Namah |
| | Saluting the Lord by reciting His name |
| |
| :: P :: | <Go to top> |
| Padmam |
| | Lotus |
| Padmavathi |
| | Consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara |
| Pallaki |
| | Palanquin |
| Panchangam |
| | Indian almanac |
| Panchanga Sravanam |
| | Listening to the forecast as directed by the Sastras |
| Pandal |
| | Canopy |
| Panyarams |
| | Laddus. See Laddus. |
| Papam |
| | Sin |
| Parinayam |
| | Marriage |
| Parishad |
| | Union of Scholars |
| Pataloka |
| | The nether world |
| Pati |
| | Husband |
| Patrika |
| | Letter |
| Pavithra |
| | Sacred |
| Payasam |
| | Watery sweet made with milk, sugar, cardamom and cashewnuts |
| Periya Jiyar |
| | Saint of the Sri Vaishnava Jiyar Matham |
| Periyatirdadi |
| | The first devotee |
| Pinda Prasadam |
| | Ceremony conducted in memory of the departed |
| Pitambaram |
| | Yellow silk cloth |
| Pongal |
| | Rice dish cooked with cereals and spices |
| Puja/Pooja |
| | Ritualistic worship of God |
| Poojari |
| | One who performs rituals, chants prayers and worships God as a representative of the devotee |
| Poolangi |
| | Of flowers |
| Poorna |
| | Complete, full |
| Pracharam |
| | Spreading |
| Pradakshinam |
| | Path for circumambulating the temple |
| Pradhana acharya purusha |
| | Chief priest |
| Prahlada |
| | Son of the Demon King Hiranyakasipu and a staunch devotee of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu |
| Prakaram |
| | Wall surrounding the temple |
| Pralaya Kalpa |
| | The Great Deluge |
| Prarthana |
| | Prayer |
| Prasadam |
| | Food offered first to the Lord and then distributed (as sacred) among devotees |
| Prasanna |
| | Pleased |
| Pratima |
| | Bronze icon |
| Pratyeka |
| | Special |
| Pravachanam |
| | Hymn sung in praise of the Lord |
| Prayoga |
| | Ready for release |
| Pulihora |
| | A rice dish made with tamarind/lime and spices. |
| Puranas |
| | Ancient Hindu scriptures |
| Purohit |
| | Priest |
| Purohit Sangam |
| | An association of priests |
| Pushkarini |
| | Sacred water tank |
| Pushpa Yagam |
| | Vedic ritual involving offering of flowers to God. |
| Pushpam |
| | Flower |
| |
| :: R :: | <Go to top> |
| Rakshasa |
| | Demon |
| Rama Pattabhishekam |
| | The coronation of Lord Rama |
| Ranganayaka |
| | One of the manifestations of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. Also refers to the Deity at Sri Rangam. |
| Ratham |
| | Chariot |
| Rishi |
| | Sage |
| |
| :: S :: | <Go to top> |
| Sabha |
| | Meeting;Group |
| Sadas |
| | Meeting of intellectuals |
| Sahasra |
| | Thousand |
| Sahasra Deepa |
| | Thousand earthen lamps |
| Sakarabath |
| | Sweetened rice |
| Salwar Kameez |
| | Traditional Indian dress consisting of a loose knee-length top and a loose pant gathered at the ankles. |
| Samarpana |
| | Offering |
| Samrakshana |
| | Protection |
| Samsara Sagara |
| | The ocean of Life |
| Sangam |
| | Union |
| Sankalpam |
| | Desire |
| Sankeertanas |
| | Songs written in praise of the Lord |
| Sanku |
| | The sacred conch of the Lord |
| Saranagati |
| | To fall at a person's feet |
| Sari |
| | traditional dress of Indian women |
| Sarovaram |
| | Lake |
| Sarva |
| | All |
| Sarvadarsanam |
| | Viewing of the Deity for all; the time allotted for it. |
| Sastanga Danda Pramanam |
| | prostrating before the Lord |
| Sastras |
| | Various texts of ethical science dealing with code of conduct, morality, rituals etc. |
| Seera |
| | Sweet dish |
| Seshachala |
| | One of the famous seven hills of Tirupati believed to be the manifestation of the Snake God, Adisesha |
| Seshavahanam |
| | Vehicle of the Lord (shaped like the Snake God Adisesha) |
| Seva |
| | Service/Worship unto the Lord |
| Seven Hills |
| | The seven hills of Lord Venkateswara's abode. They are Vrishabhadri, Garudadri, Seshadri, Anjanadri, Vedadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri; from Tirupati, the seven hills have to be crossed to reach Tirumala |
| Sikharam |
| | Pinnacle |
| Simha |
| | Lion |
| Sishya |
| | Disciple |
| Sloka |
| | Stanza |
| Smaraka |
| | in memory of . |
| Soma |
| | Moon |
| Somalatha |
| | A plant whose juice intoxicates if drunk; plant offered to the sacred fire in Somayaga |
| Somayaji |
| | The person who performs somayaga |
| Sopanamarga |
| | Stairway (Stone footpath leading to Tirumala) |
| Sravanam |
| | Season of rainfall (according to the Hindu calendar), usually in August |
| Sri Bhu Devi |
| | Also called Sri Padmavathi Devi; one of the two consorts of Lord Sri Venkateswara, the other being Sri Lakshmi Devi |
| Sri Lakshmi Devi |
| | Also called Sri Devi; one of the two consorts of Lord Sri Venkateswara, the other being Sri Bhu Devi |
| Sri Maha Vishnu |
| | 'The Preserver' who is believed to have manifested Himself on Tirumala as Lord Sri Venkateswara, to save mankind in the Kali Yuga |
| Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya |
| | The sacred text which extols the glory of Lord Venkaterswara and His abode. |
| Srinivasa |
| | Lord Venkateswara |
| Srivaru |
| | Lord Venkateswara |
| Sthala Mahathmya |
| | The greatness of a place |
| Sudarsana |
| | The sacred disc weapon of Lord Vishnu |
| Suddhi |
| | Cleansing |
| Sukhasana |
| | A Yogic pose |
| Suprabhatam |
| | Auspicious time at dawn, when the Lord is woken and prayers chanted |
| Surya |
| | Sun |
| Sveta |
| | White |
| Sveta Varaha |
| | The incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu as a fearsome white boar, to restore the Earth after the Great Deluge |
| Swami |
| | God |
| |
| :: T :: | <Go to top> |
| Takeed |
| | Receipt |
| Tatva |
| | Substance |
| Tene |
| | Honey |
| Thiru/Tiru |
| | Respected, holy |
| Thirumanjanam |
| | Fragrant powder prepared out of sandalwood and turmeric |
| Thomala Seva |
| | Worship with garlands |
| Teertham |
| | Holy water |
| Tirumala |
| | Meaning 'the holy hill'; abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated atop the seven hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Tirumala Raya |
| | a chieftain of the Araviti family, who renovated the Tirumala Raya Mandapam in the Sri Venkateswara temple |
| Tirupati |
| | The sacred town of Lord Venkateswara at the foot of the seven hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in India |
| Trimurthi |
| | The holy trinity, comprising Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu |
| Tulabharam |
| | Offering one's weight in coins to the Lord |
| |
| :: U :: | <Go to top> |
| Ubhaya Nacchiyars |
| | The two consorts (Sri Devi and Bhu Devi) of the utsava murthi of Lord Sri Venkateswara. |
| Unjal |
| | Cradle |
| Upanayanam |
| | The ceremony of the investiture with the sacred thread |
| Utsava Murthi |
| | Processional image of the Lord |
| Utsavam |
| | Festival |
| Uttariyam |
| | Garment for covering the shoulders or upper half of the body |
| Uyala Mandapam |
| | Place where the Lord's idol is placed in a cradle and worshipped |
| |
| :: V :: | <Go to top> |
| Vada |
| | Food item made of cereals and spices |
| Vaggeyakara |
| | Composer |
| Vahana |
| | The Lord's vehicle |
| Vaikuntam |
| | Celestial abode of Sri Maha Vishnu |
| Vanabhivruddhi |
| | Improvising gardens |
| Vanam |
| | Garden; forest |
| Varada |
| | boon |
| Varaha Kshetra |
| | Place belonging to Varaha |
| Varahavatara/Varahaswami/Sveta Varaha |
| | Incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu as a boar with a human body |
| Vasantam |
| | The Spring season |
| Vasanthotsavam |
| | A festival held in Spring |
| Vastram |
| | Clothes |
| Vayu Deva |
| | The God of Wind |
| Veda |
| | That knowledge which is worth knowing |
| Vedic Mantras |
| | Sacred hymns |
| Venkateswara |
| | He who cleanses the sins of His devotees |
| Vigraham |
| | Statue |
| Vimana/Vimanam |
| | Dome |
| Vinjamara |
| | Whisk |
| Visesha |
| | Important |
| Vishnu |
| | (Vyapana Seelanath Vishnuhu) That which is all-pervading; the Supreme Being who is the saviour of the universe; also see Sri Maha Vishnu |
| Vishvaksena |
| | Chief commander of the Lord's army |
| |
| :: Y :: | <Go to top> |
| Yaga/Yagna |
| | Vedic ritual in which various items are offered to God through a sacred fire |
| Yajnopavita |
| | sacred thread worn by males of certain Hindu castes |
| Yuga |
| | Aeon |
![[Advertisement] Click to now more...](img/adBanner.jpg)
