An annual food offering thrown over the temple gopuram to mark a special day in the harvest festival.
The Kakapudi or Kaka Bali is a distinctive annual ritual performed at the Srivari Temple in Tirumala. Unlike many other sevas performed for individual devotees, this is an institutional ceremony performed by the temple priests (archakas) themselves on a specific day.
📅 When and Where is it Performed?
- Occasion: The ritual is held annually on Kanuma, the third day of the Sankranti/Pongal harvest festival.
- Time: It is performed in the very early morning hours, historically around 4:15 AM, between the Thomala Seva and Koluvu rituals.
- Location: The offering is made to Sri Vimana Venkateswara Swamy (the deity atop the Ananda Nilayam, the inner sanctum’s tower).
⚱️ The Ritual Process
The ritual is simple yet powerful. The archakas prepare boiled rice mixed separately with turmeric (pasupu) and vermillion (kumkuma). This specially prepared food offering is then thrown over the Ananda Nilayam (the golden tower above the sanctum sanctorum). The act is performed as per the sacred norms of the Vaikhanasa Agama tradition followed at the temple.
🕉️ Significance and How it Differs
It is important to understand that this Kaka Bali is not the same as the Kakapudi ritual sometimes performed by individual devotees to seek relief from inauspicious omens. The event described here is:
- A fixed, annual temple ceremony.
- Not bookable or accessible to the public for participation. It is performed solely by the temple priests.
- Part of the temple’s traditional festival calendar linked to the agricultural cycle of Sankranti.
📋 A Quick Comparison: Annual Ritual vs. Individual Ritual
To avoid confusion, here is a brief comparison of the two distinct practices that share a similar name:
| Feature | Annual Kaka Bali (on Kanuma) | Individual Kakapudi Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Annual temple festival observance | Personal remedy for inauspicious omens |
| Who Performs | Temple Archakas (Priests) | Priest for an individual/family |
| Can Devotees Participate? | No, it is a closed ritual | Yes, it can be arranged |
| Frequency | Once a year (fixed date) | Performed as needed |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: As a devotee, can I witness the annual Kaka Bali ritual?
A: No. This particular ritual is performed by the priests inside the temple complex in the early morning hours before the temple opens for general darshan. It is not a public event.
Q2: If I need to perform a Kakapudi for personal reasons, how do I do it at Tirumala?
A: The individual Kakapudi ritual for devotees is a different procedure. You would need to inquire at the temple’s information or seva counter upon arrival to understand the current process, required materials, and associated costs, as arrangements can change.
Q3: Why is it called “Kaka Bali”?
A: “Kaka” means crow, and “Bali” means offering. Symbolically, the food offering thrown over the gopuram is considered an offering to all beings, including crows, which are often associated with ancestors in Hindu tradition.
Q4: Where can I find the exact date for the next Kaka Bali?
A: Since it is tied to the Sankranti festival, the date for Kanuma changes each year based on the lunar calendar. You can check the official TTD Calendar closer to the Sankranti season for the exact schedule of all festival rituals.
For information on other sevas that devotees can book and participate in, such as the Thomala Seva or Suprabhatam Seva, you can visit our detailed guides at intirupati.in.
I hope this clarifies the unique nature of this annual temple ritual. Would you like to know about the general visitor’s guide for attending the Sankranti festival at Tirumala?
