Tirupati is a most famous temple town in India. It is
dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is
located in Chittoor district in the extreme south of the state Andhra Pradesh.
The Tirumala temple rests at the seventh peak hill called Venkatdri of the
Tirumala. It is in the Eastern Ghats. It is 20km from the Thirupati town. The
seven hills in the Tirumala represents the seven heads of a huge serpent called
Sesha saye (snake), on that the Lord Vishnu resides. The built date of the
temple records date to 300BC (propably).
It is a pleasant journey for the people who admire the
tropical greenery in these hills. Even today many pilgrims reach the temple by
taking a foot path, it is an 11km trek. Moreover, the temple is visited by
50,000 to 1,00,000 devotees per day and even more number of lakhs during festivals. The working staffs
alone amounts to 18,000.
The Tirupati temple is supposed to be a richest temple in
the country along with strinkingly effective environment. According to the
people’s view the financial offerings and collections at this temple are second
after the Vatican City Church among the world.
The Temple exposes the Dravidian art and style and wood
carving is the famous one in this temple. The temple is also famous for its
Prasadam Laddu. The temple of Lakshmi is in the form of Princess Padmavati and
it is located in the foot of the seven hills, and the god Balaji is also
located there. Sthala Purana, the legend of Venkateshwara Avatara is the
particular legend associated with the ancient Hindu temple.
Description about the Lord Venkateshwara:
The temple’s vimanam is the highlight of the temple; it is
the monumental tower having a golden roof. The Vimanam houses the main deity of
Thirumala and it is the place for Lord Venkateshwara. The god stands directly
beneath the Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana, a gilt dome.
The lord Venkateshwara wears a gold crown embedded with a
large emerald in the front. During special occasions, the Lord is decorated
with diamond crown. On his forehead, a thick double tilaka is drawn, which
screens his eyes. The god’s ears are adorned with golden earings. The Lord
wears the dress with a gold string and a gold belt with gold bells. Sri Lakshmi
is bear by the god on his right chest and Sri Padmavathi Devi on his left chest.
The foot of the god are covered with gold frames and decked with gold anklets.
A curved gold belt encircles his legs.
The Tirumala temple wall bears the historical, cultural and
linguistic importance. More than 1000 inscriptions are furnished the walls of
the Hill temple, Tiruchanur and Lower Tirupati temples. The temple also holds
the unique collection of about 3000 copper plates. Some of the dynasties like
Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandiyas, and more number of dynasties left their
marks in the walls of the Temples of Tirupati and Tirumala.
Lords to Workship in the Tirupati Temple:
- Moolavirat or Dhruva Beram is the main stone of Lord Venkateshwara
- Kautuka Beram or Bhoga Srinivasa is a tiny one-foot silver deity
- Snapana Beram or Ugra Srinivasa is the idol representing the anger of Lord Venkateshwara
- Utsava Beram is the form of the Lord to visit his devotees
- Bali Beram or Koluvu Srinivasha is the idol representing the presiding officer for all activities and rituals of the temple
Activities of the Tirupati Temple:
- Prasadam - The temple’s famous Tirupati Laddu
- Hair tonsuring
- Hundi
- Thulabhram
- Arjitha seva (paid servives)
Festivals in Tirupati Temple:
- Vaishnava festivals like Vaiknuda Ekadasi, Janmashtamia and Rama Navami.
- Brahmotsavam (most important festival of tirumala) - It is celebrated every year during the month of September.
- Vasanthotsavam - Spring festival during March to April.
- Rathasapthami, celebrated during the month of February.
- There is also a Govindaraya Vishnu temple in the town of Tirupati, down below the hills of Tirupati accompanied with Vishnu in Yoga Nidra with sridevi and Bhoodevi next to him. We can also see the live programs of Tirumala Temple in the temple’s live channel TTD.
Temples to Visit in Tirumala:
- Sri Venkateswara Temple
- Sri Varahaswami Temple
- Sri Anjaneyawami Temple
- Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswami Temple
- Teerthams
Places to Visit in the Tirupati temple:
- Pushkarini
- Varahaswamy Temple
- Bedi Anjaneya Temple
- Sri Hathiramji Mutt
- Sila Thoranam
- Srivari Sikhara Darshanam
- Dharmagiri
- Narayangiri
- Papavinasanam
- Akasaganga
- Temple Museum
Also, you Can Visit these Places,
- Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tirupati
- Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Tirupati
- Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple, Tirupati
- Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Srinivasa Mangapuram
- Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Narayanavanam
