Thomala Seva is one of the Archana services performed for the Lord on the holy hills of Tirumala. These Archana services are also called First Entrance Darshan tickets. The reason for this is that devotees get to go up to the second door and witness the services of the Lord, and also wealth comes. I will show an explanation in this video on how to book these Archana services. Come, let’s see. Tirumala is the Sakshat Kalyuga Vaikuntam. Here, in the Ananda Nilayam, many kainkaryas and many special archanas are performed daily for Sri Vari. The Archana services performed for Tirumala Sri Vari are very important.
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Understanding Thomala SevaDuring Brahmotsavams
During the holy period of Brahmotsavams, let’s learn about one of those services, Thomala Seva. After waking the Lord from sleep through the Suprabhata Seva, this service is performed for the Lord. Tomala means a garland of flowers. Garlands made from various flowers and Tulasi leaves are used to adorn the Lord. The garlands are brought from Yamunadhurai to the temple by the Periya Jiyar belonging to the temple. The service is conducted with them. The duration of this service is 30 minutes. This service takes place only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The adornment with many flower garlands and Tulasi garlands for Srinivasa, who is fond of floral decorations, is the Thomala Seva.
The Rituals and Timings of Thomala Seva
It starts at 3:00 AM in the morning after Suprabhata. The Archaka Swamis take the garlands brought by the Jiyar, sprinkle water and purify them. After the Abhishekam for Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, Abhishekam is also performed to the golden coverings on the holy feet of Sri Venkateswara. Only Akasa Ganga water is used for this Abhishekam.
Afterwards, as if performing Abhishekam to the Moola Murthy, Vakshasthala Lakshmi, Sridevi, Bhudevi together, Malayappa Swami, and Ugra Srinivasa Murthy – thus to the Panchaberam present in the sanctum, the Akasa Ganga theertham is sanctified. After the Abhishekam, for the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy, vestments and adornment, tilaka application are done, and while offering the Shodashopacharas to the other Utsava Murthys, the Tiruppalli Ezhuchi, which are 60 pasurams, are recited.
The Specific Garlands and Their Names
The Archaka Swamis adorn the Lord with the flower garlands offered with devotion and faith by the Jiyar and devotees. This floral adornment starts with the Lord’s feet. These flower garlands used to adorn from the feet to the head have some fixed names. The two flower garlands of one span each adorned on the Lord’s feet are called Tiruvadi Dandalu. The eight-span flower garlands adorned from the Lord’s crown down to the two shoulders are called Shikamani. The long garlands adorned to hang from the Lord’s shoulders on both sides down to the feet are called Salagrama Mala. The three-and-a-half-span flower garland adorned in two layers around the Lord’s neck and onto the shoulders is called Kanthamsari.
One-and-a-half-span flower garlands are adorned for Sridevi and Bhudevi who are on the Lord’s chest. Two garlands, each of one span, are adorned for the Sankha and Chakra. The two-span flower garland adorned for the Lord’s Nandaka sword is called Katarisaram. The three flower garlands hung in a chain from below the two elbows down to the feet are called Tavalamulu.
Conclusion of the Service and Asthana Seva
After the floral adornment is complete, the Veda pundits offer Mantra Pushpa. Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya, and Karpura Harati are given. All this program takes over half an hour to complete. The room inside, leaning against the golden door, is called the Snapana Mandapam. There, every day, the Asthana for Sri Vari takes place. This service is completely private, conducted by the temple authorities and archakas. It starts at 4:30 in the morning. After performing Shodashopacharas to the Lord, the Asthana Siddhanti performs Panchanga Sravanam to Srinivasa, announcing the Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana.
The Nitya Anna Prasadam and Bhandara
The names of the donors who gave special contributions in the Nitya Anna Prasadam scheme are announced to Sri Vari. Bhandara means accounts. The Gummastha presents to Sri Vari the previous day’s income details, the income from Archana services, the sales of prasadam, the gold, silver, copper and other metal vessels and jewellery received as gifts through the Hundi, and the net income received, calculated down to the paise, in detail to Srinivasa, and with devotion, offers a Sashthanga Namaskara and takes leave. Devotees wish to have darshan of Tirumala Sri Vari, the Kalyuga Pratyaksha Devalayam, at least once.
Booking Archana Services Through Lucky Dip
They wait eagerly for the fortune of participating in such Sri Vari’s services. Among them, TTD provides an opportunity to participate in special pujas like Suprabhata Seva, Thomala Seva, which are the Lord’s Archana services. Devotees can book Archana service tickets through the TTD website. Suprabhata, Tomala, Archana, Ashtadala Padapadmaradhana tickets are allotted to devotees through the online electronic dip method. Every month, TTD releases tickets for Tirumala Sri Vari darshan, two months in advance, from the 18th to the 24th.
The Registration Process for Thomala Seva
After releasing them like this, we must go to the ttd.gov.in website and register for the Lucky Dip for this Thomala Seva. Two days are given for registering for Archana services. You have the opportunity to register for Thomala Seva Lucky Dip for up to two people on one mobile number login ID. The proofs required for Thomala Seva Lucky Dip registration are your phone number, email ID, address, and Aadhaar details. Afterwards, you must select the date you want, select Thomala Seva, and press submit. Then the registration will be complete. Similarly, if you want, you can also select the other Archana services and participate in the Lucky Dip.
Results and Ticket Confirmation
The results for the Lucky Dip, for the selected Sri Vari devotees’ details, will come after the registration period is complete, i.e., on the 20th at 12:00 PM noon. You must log in to the TTD website with the mobile number you gave and check the results. And only the devotees selected for these services will receive an SMS to their mobile numbers.
Even so, one must go to the TTD website and the selected Sri Vari devotees for these Archana services must pay ₹220 for Thomala Seva and upload their passport-size photos online within the stipulated deadline. Only those who pay the money like this will have the opportunity to fully participate in these services. For these Sri Vari Archana services, devotees are selected through the electronic dip method, i.e., Lucky Dip.
Alternate Booking Methods and Important Guidelines
You can also get this ticket in another way. Through the VIP quota, with a letter given by TTD Board numbers, MLA, MP, MLC, Minister, etc., one can also perform these Sri Vari services. For those who do this, the price of the Sri Vari service ticket will be higher. You must perform this service wearing fully traditional clothes. Those who have booked Thomala Seva tickets must report at 3:00 AM in the morning. Those who go through Thomala Seva can go up to the first door and have darshan of Srinivasa.
That is why these are also called First Entrance Darshan tickets. One laddu as prasadam is also given to the Sri Vari devotees who perform this Archana service. Devotees going for this service must definitely wear only traditional attire. Men: Dhoti and shirt. Women: Saree, half-saree with dupatta, or Churidar attire.
Final Instructions for Devotees
You must take the ID proof you provided during ticket booking and go. You can take your children below 12 years of age with you. One laddu as prasadam is also given to the Sri Vari devotees who perform this Archana service. Gathering Point: Devotees should gather at VQC I. Only one person per ticket will be allowed. Thomala Seva Details For Grihasthas Reporting Time: 3:00 am Service Time: 3:30 am Price Per Ticket: 220
Overview Table: Thomala Seva at Tirumala
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Service Name | Thomala Seva (Flower Garland Adornment Service) |
| Significance | A special Archana service; also grants First Entrance Darshan. |
| Days Performed | Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. |
| Service Duration | Approximately 30 minutes. |
| Reporting Time | 3:00 AM |
| Service Time | 3:30 AM |
| Ticket Cost | ₹220 per person (via Lucky Dip) |
| Booking Method | Online via TTD website’s “Lucky Dip” (Electronic Dip) system. |
| Dress Code | Strictly Traditional (Men: Dhoti; Women: Saree/Churidar). |
| Prasadam | One Laddu is provided. |
Frequently Asked Questions Thomala Seva (FAQs)
What is the benefit of booking Thomala Seva?
Thomala Seva allows you to witness a unique, private morning ritual where the Lord is adorned with specific flower garlands. It also grants you the privilege of “First Entrance Darshan,” letting you get closer to the sanctum sanctorum.
On which days is Thomala Seva performed?
Thomala Seva is performed only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at the Tirumala temple.
What is the process to get a Thomala Seva ticket?
Tickets are allocated via an online “Lucky Dip” system on the TTD website. You must register during the specified window (typically from the 18th to the 24th of each month for services two months ahead). Selection results are declared on the 20th, and selected devotees must then pay online to confirm their tickets.
Can I wear normal pants and a shirt for the Thomala Seva?
No. The dress code is strictly traditional. Men must wear a dhoti and shirt, and women must wear a saree, half-saree, or churidar with a dupatta. Devotees not in traditional attire will not be allowed.
Is there any other way to book Thomala Seva besides the Lucky Dip?
Yes, it is possible to book through the VIP quota by obtaining a recommendation letter from a TTD Board member, MLA, MP, MLC, or Minister. However, the ticket cost through this method is significantly higher than the standard ₹220.