On the first Sunday of every month, the presiding deity (mula vigraha) of Sri Venkateswara Swami is given an elaborate ritual bath (abhishekam). Celebrated since the foundation of the Temple, this festival is the most popular event in the religious calendar. Many devotees organize their lives in such a way that they can always be present at the Temple on the first Sunday of every month. The Abhishekam Mahotsavam for Sri Balaji is commonly referred to as Tirumanjanam or Snapanam (spiritual holy bath). The Temple conducts the Abhishekam Mahotsavam in an authentic style following the six steps outlined below.

        The Abhishekam Mahotsavam has several kinds of sponsors. Vastram sponsors are devotees who offer special clothing (vastra) that Sri Venkateswara Swami will be decorated with. Other sponsors give donations for the abhishekam services. The priests perform the sankalpam (vow to do the ritual) for the families of vastram sponsors and the other abhishekam sponsors and place kalsams filled with milk in their hands. A procession is started with the priests carrying the sacred offerings (turmeric paste, saffron, etc) on their heads. They are followed by the vastram sponsors carrying the new vastrams on plates over their heads, the Temple trustees, other abhishekam sponsors carrying the kalasams in their hands, and all other devotees. The entire procession circumambulates (pradakshinam) the Temple premises accompanied by the chanting of Sri Sukta Veda Mantras by the priests and Parayana Goshti (devotees who recite Sanskrit verses and Tamil Prabandhams). The procession then enters the sanctum (ardha mandapam). Due to space limitations in the sanctum, only sponsors and family members can sit in the ardha mandapam during this part of the service.

        Priests do puja to Vishvaksena, the leader of Narayana’s divine retinue, who removes all impediments to the successful completion of the abhishekam. The vigraha of Vishvaksena was consecrated in 2003 and is kept in the Bhudevi shrine. The abhishekam materials are sanctified with Punyaham, a religious procedure for purification with the recital of Vedic mantras.

        The services that are offered to Sri Balaji are based on traditional protocols of respectful etiquette that were followed when receiving a royal guest. Certain cordial services (upacharam) and offerings are made, such as asanam (a seat for Sri Balaji), padyam (water for washing his feet), etc. The lead priest offers these upacharams and other preparatory rites to Sri Balaji mula vigraha according to procedures in the Agama. The priest stands on a tall ladder and starts the abhishekam by pouring water very gently over the mula vigraha of Sri Balaji using a silver conch plated with gold. The abhishekam continues by bathing the vigraha with other sanctified ingredients like milk, ghee, honey, saffron, sugar, and juice. While the lead priest bathes Sri Balaji, the other priests and the Parayana Gosthi chant Vedic verses and Prabandhams (compositions by Alwars and Acharyas). At the conclusion, turmeric paste is gently placed on the chest of Sri Balaji as an offering to Sri Vakshasthala Lakshmi who resides there. This is followed by a grand pouring of sacred water from the silver kalasam. Devotees enter the sanctum in an orderly line and have the rare sight (darsanam) of Sri Balaji freshly bathed, without any ornaments and gently smiling. The fortunate devotees get to see and enjoy the divine power and beauty of the Lord and have an opportunity to get a glimpse of his sacred lotus feet, without the coverings (kavacha).

        After the darsanam of Sri Balaji, the doors of the sanctum are closed. Inside the sanctum, the priests do a wonderful job of decorating the vigraha with the new vastrams, flower garlands, and jewelry. Outside of the sanctum, the Bhajan Group sits in the four-pillared main hall and sings in praise of the Lord. This is followed by the recital of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam.

        After completing the alankarams, naivedyam (divine food) offering, and other rituals requiring privacy for Sri Balaji, the priests open the doors so the assembled devotees can have darsanam of Sri Balaji adorned with beautiful clothes, colorful flowers, and sparkling jewelry. The beauty of the newly bathed and decorated vigraha is so overwhelming that words cannot describe it. The priests chant Vedic mantras and worship the Lord with his 108 names (asthottara archana). This is followed by Maha Mangala Arati and Sathumurai recital by the Parayana Gosthi. Devotees receive Tirtha Prasadam and Satari from the priests.

        All priests join and chant the mantras to invoke Sri Balaji and Sri Maha Lakshmi to bestow and shower blessings for long life, prosperity, and happiness to all devotees. Sponsors are honored with prasadam in the form of fruits that were offered to Sri Balaji. Finally, after having another darsanam of Sri Balaji in the sanctum, the devotees go downstairs to enjoy prasadam offered by the Temple.