Tirumala Tirupati temple is a world famous with in the Hindu region. The world’s richest temple is also famous for the different way of worshiping lord Venkateshwara. Lord in Tirumala is mysterious with different rituals followed in sevas.
Here Is All About Punugu Perfume
The traditional cultures of Tirupati is most famous in its own way. Usually in different vaishnav temples has an ancient scripture on the mode of conducting rituals of Any puja or ritual conducted without using the aromatic substances like javvadi, kasturi and punugu bears. As the same way Tirumala has a special perfume to worship god is called Punugu.
The three aromatic substances are used at the Tirumala temple from time immemorial, but the continued use of the substances may be in doubt in the distant future, if not now. Leaving aside ‘kasturi’ and ‘javvadi’, take the case of `punugu' (civet), which gives a long-lasting and refreshing fragrance. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is rearing the animal`civet also called `civet cat as it has striking feline features in its Sri Venkateshwara Dairy Farm to obtain the gel secreted from one of its glands to be used in the temple rituals. Nine such animals are being taken care of in the dairy.
This aromatic secretion comes from Punugu cat is used to anoint the idol of Lord Venkateshwara along with other perfumes during special prayers on Fridays. Civet cat, the nocturnal animal that lives normally in bushy woods, has found a new environment in the dairy farm's cages, with fans to cool it and meat to feast on. The nine animals put together secrete 10 gm. of civet a week, that will be purified by the dairy staff before the offering. This animal belongs to the ‘viverridae’ family and six of the 15 varieties are found in India. Of them, the Small Indian Civet (vivericula indica) and Common Palm Civet or Toddy Civet/Malabar Civet (parabouxus hermaphroditus) are the two varieties found south of the Vindhyas.
All other temples buy Punugu Thailam in bulk from the market. But it is only in Tirumala, where its use is more than 5 to 10 kgs per annum, that breeding is attempted. Agama pundits and temple priests say that the sweet fragrance of civet oil was a favorite of the Vaishnavi deity, according to folklore. “The use of Punugu Thailam also enhances the divine charm of the deity and attracted the devotees in large numbers daily. It also gave a glamour and shine to the majestic idol of Srinivasa.
A problem in the long run to the TTD is about the availability of the animal. At present, it is dependent on tribals or the native inhabitants of the jungle for procuring it. They capture new-borns and hand them over to the dairy,apparently for a price. By that TTD is saving the Thailam has been using the animal for the civet, it naturally has every responsibility to ensure its survival.
Also Read: 15 Lesser Known Facts About Tirumala Which Every Devotee Needs To Know
