Tirupati Balaji

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is situated on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) from the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.It truly is with the Lord's presidency more than Venkatachala, that He has obtained the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord from the Venkata Hill). He's also referred to as the Lord of the Seven Hills.

The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired distinctive sanctity in Indian spiritual lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, within the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.

The advantages acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are pointed out inside the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described because the great bestowed of boons. You can find numerous legends related to the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.

Background

There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity with the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara. All the excellent dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara on this historic shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century Advert), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, as well as the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century Ad) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with 1 one more in endowing the temple with wealthy offerings and contributions.

It was for the duration of the rule with the Vijayanagar dynasty the contributions to the temple elevated. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed in the portals with the temple, and these statues can be noticed to this day. There's also a statue of Venkatapati Raya inside the primary temple.

Temple Legends

Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in numerous Puranas, of which essentially the most crucial would be the Varaha Purana as well as the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed work consists of extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Aditya Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. The majority of these extracts explain the sanctity and antiquity in the hills about Tirumala and the several teerthams situated on them.

The legends taken from your Venkatachala Mahatmya as well as the Varaha Purana, pertaining for the manifestation from the Lord at Tirumala, are of specific curiosity.

Based on the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself around the western financial institution of the Swami Pushkarini, although Vishnu within the form of Venkateswara came to reside around the southern financial institution in the Swami Pushkarini.

Pilgrimage Points of interest at Tirupati Tirumala

Padi Kavali Maha Dwara
The Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands on a quadrangular foundation. Its architecture is the fact that with the later on Chola period. The inscriptions around the gopuram belong to 13th century. You will find quite a few stucco figures of Vaishnava gods like Hanuman, Kevale Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha on the gopuram.

Sampangi Pradakshinam
The route for circumnavigating the temple is named a pradakshinam. The main temple has three prakarams. In between the outermost and center prakarams will be the 2nd pathway for circumambulation called the Sampangi Pradakshinam. Presently, this pathway is closed to pilgrims. The Sampangi Pradakshinam consists of numerous interesting mandapams just like the Pratima Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam, Tirumala Raya Mandapam, Saluva Narasimha Mandapam, Aina Mahal and Dhvajasthambha Mandapam.

Ranga Mandapam
Ranga Mandapam, also named the Ranganayakula Mandapam, is situated inside the south-eastern corner of the Sampangi Pradakshinam. The shrine inside it is considered to be the location where the utsava murti of Lord Ranganadha of Srirangam was stored for the duration of the 14th century, when Srirangam was occupied by Muslim rulers. It's stated to are made between 1320 and 1360 Ad through the Yadava ruler Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya. It's constructed in accordance with the Vijayanagara type of architecture.

Tirumala Raya Mandapam
Adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western aspect, and dealing with the Dhvajasthambha Mandapam can be a spacious complex of pavilions called the Tirumala Raya Mandapam or Anna Unjal Mandapam.

It consists of two various ranges, the front at a decrease degree and also the rear at a higher. The southern or inner portion of this Mandapam was made by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 Advert to celebrate a festival for Sri Venkateswara known as Anna Unjal Tirunal. This construction was prolonged to its existing measurement by Araviti Bukkaraya Ramaraja, Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja.

It truly is in this Mandapam, which the utsava murthi Malayappan, retains His yearly darbar or Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja on Dhwajastambham to mark the commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally, the prasadam distributed on this situation is nonetheless called Tirumalarayan Pongal.

Tirumala Raya Mandapam
The Mandapam includes a normal complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara design, using a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars, a number of which emit musical notes when struck with a stone. The primary pillars have rearing horses with warriors mounted on them. Some of the very best sculptures with the temple are identified in bold relief in the Mandapam. The bronze statues of Todermallu, his mom Matha Mohana Devi and spouse Pitha Bibi, are held inside a corner from the Mandapam.

The Aina Mahal
The Aina Mahal is around the northern side in the Tirumala Raya Mandapam. It includes two elements - an open mandapam within the front consisting of six rows comprising six pillars every, as well as a shrine behind it consisting of an Antarala and Garbhagriha. It's big mirrors which mirror photos in an infinite series. There's an unjal within the middle of the area during which the Lord is seated and festivals performed.

The Everyday Routines - Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple

The every day program starts with 'Suprabhatam' (awakening the Lord) at three within the morning and finish with the 'Ekanta Seva' (putting the Lord to rest) at 1 inside the evening. Day-to-day, Weekly and Periodical 'Sevas' and 'Utsavams' are carried out for the Lord. Intrigued pilgrims can choose in the listing and pay to obtain the Sevas or Utsavams carried out on their title. Devotees offer their presents and donations in the "Hundi", which will be the primary supply of income.

Festivals of Tirupati

Everyday is actually a day of festivity at Tirumala. Essentially the most well-known is the yearly festival named 'Brahmotsavam', that is celebrated on grand scale for nine days in September, attracting pilgrims and vacationers from all elements with the nation. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are especially substantial in as considerably as Garudostavam and Rathotavam will take location on those days.