The 'Tiru kalyanotsavam' is the major festival that is observed in Sri Venkateswara Swami Vari Devasthanam or the Dwaraka Tirumala Temple. The festival for the self-manifested idol (small idol) is celebrated in the month of 'Vaisakha', while for the installed idol it is celebrated in the month of 'Aswayuja' which could be in the month of April–May and September–October respectively every year.
Giripradakshina (January), Swamy Vari Vysakha Kalyanam and Radhotsavam (Car festival) (April–May), Pavithrotsavams (September), Swamy Vari Aswayuja Kalyanam and Radhotsavam (Car festival) (September–October), Teppotsavam/ Boat Festival in Nrusimha Sagar Tank (November) are the other major festivals celebrated in the temple.
Temple practices
Main Raja Gopuram
Prasadam
"Laddu" is given at Dwaraka Tirumala Temple as prasadam. In this temple Daddojanam, Kattupongali, Sarkarapongali, Pulihora, Kadhambam, Gaarimukkalu, Appalu are being distributed daily to the devotees after Nivedana to the deity.
Hair tonsuring
Many devotees have their head tonsured as "Mokku", an offering to God. When Lord Balaji was hit on his head by a shepherd, a small portion of his scalp became bald. This was noticed by Neela Devi, a Gandharva princess. She felt "such an attractive face should not have a flaw". Immediately, she cut a portion of her hair and, with her magical power, implanted it on his scalp. Lord Balaji noticed her sacrifice. As hair is a beautiful asset of the female form, he promised her that all his devotees who come to his abode would offer their hair to him, and she would be the recipient of all the hair received. Hence, it is believed that hair offered by the devotees is accepted by Neela Devi. The place where pilgrims fulfill their vow of tonsure is called Kalyana Katta, which is to the west of the Main temple. Over 95 barbers, operating in two batches, are available at KalyanaKatta, to perform tonsure.
Sri VenkateswaraSwamy Vari Saswatha Annadhana Trust
The Devasthanam is maintaining Annadanam Trust from 08 to 12-1994. All the donations received from the donors are being deposited in National Banks and the interest derived thereon is being spent towards distribution of Annaprasadam. Exemption U/Sec.80(G) of Income Tax Act is covered under this scheme.
The interest derived thereon is being spent towards Anna prasadam..Providing free meals (annaprasadam) to 2000 pilgrims in normal days from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
In Saturdays, Sundays and other auspicious days providing nearly 4000 to 5000 pilgrims and also providing for the entire pilgrims who are interested to take annaprasadam from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00p.m.
The annaprasadam is also provided every Friday from 8.00 p.m. to 11 p.m. to the visiting pilgrims who came by walk from various places to Dwaraka tirumala.
At present 3 halls are provided for conducting Annadanam with a capacity of 364 seating.
The Devasthanam is constructing new Annaprasada Building at uphill with all facilities, 4 spacious halls with a total capacity of 1440 seating to facilitate the donors and pilgrim public with the estimated cost of Rs.14.00 crores and the said work is in progress.
Gosala
This Devasthanam is maintaining a Gosala at uphill with more than 300 cows, calves in Eight Sheds. Yielding more than 200 litres of Milk per day. One Veterinary Assistant is working in the gosala and also the cows are well treating and under regular treatment by Veterinary Doctors of Dwaraka Tirumala.. Gokulam with 7 Cows named as Saptha Gokulam. Gopujas are being performed every day in Sri Gokulam from 6.30 am to 12.00 noon and 12.30 P.M. to 6.00 A.M. by the devotees.