Every day, when the Thirupathi temple opens for devotees, the temple servants play a recorded version of Shri Venkatesa Suprabhatham. The Dharshan during this time is called “Suprabhaath Dharshan” or “Vishwaroop Dharsan”. Around 200 to 250 devotees are allowed to have this Dharshan for which pre-booking can be done online or in person.

This Dharsan lasts only for half an hour. After completion of this Dharsan, the golden doors in front of the sanctum sanctorum will be opened. Ramanuja Jeeyar of Thirumala Shri Mutt, lights camphor and gives it to the main priest who offers it to Shri Venkataachalapathy while singing the names of Shrimad Narayana in rhyming song with raga.

During the Tamil month of Marghazhi (December-January), the Thirupaavai sung by Aandaal (Alvar poet) replaces the Suprabhaatham being played here.

Prathivaathi Bhayankaram Annangarachariyar

This Venkatesa Suprabhatam was written by PB Annangarachariyar (Prathivaathi Bhayankaram Annangarachariyar). He wrote the verses taking into consideration the 500 year old verses of the root Shloka (hymn) and ideas from Alvaar hymns.

Not only was he the proud composer of the hymn but also had rendered his voice to it, which was being broadcast in the Thirupathi temple for a long time.

Every day, during “Suprabhaath Dharshan” the Suprabhaatham sung by Annangarachariyar used to be heard in different parts of the temple, which were recorded by the temple servants and kept for this purpose. In those days, devotees who bought tickets for “Suprabhaath Dharshan” and waiting in line used to sing along with Annangarachariyar’s voice.

The Vaishavite genius, who used to perform countless services to Vaishavism, lived in Kanchipuram. He appeared like a terror to those who used to argue with him, which earned him the nickname “Prathivaathi Bhayankaram” (Opposite defendant is a terror). He reached heavenly abode on 21^st July, 1983.

He had proficiency in four languages. He was seen as almost an Alvaar by the Vaishnavites. He wrote 1,207 books during his time. Another astonishing fact is that he can write in Tamil using the right hand and in Sanskrit using the left hand at the same time, which was his unique feature.

Only from 1975 was the Suprabhaatham heard in M S Subbulakshmi’s voice in Thirumala which was heard in Prathivaathi Bhayankaram Swamy’s voice until then.