Tirupati Balaji Temple Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala (Tirupati) is one of the most famous temples in India. Being an Indian, you would have surely heard about Tirupati. It’s a fascinating ancient city renowned for the prominent Hindu temples. The city with lots of vigour and charm and an amazing religious presence is always a delightful location to reach out to even if it is for a one day trip in and around Tirupati. And if you think that you require that bliss and blessings in your life with a touch of divinity, then a road trip here is strongly recommended.
Not that we need to promote this place for a tour. Indians and International Travellers alike throng this place all the year round. You wouldn’t believe it, but there are at least 50,000 to 1,00,000 devotees reaching out to this town on a daily basis. Yes, when the numbers are so huge, obviously the place must have some lure to attract attention year after year since times immemorial Tirupati Balaji Temple.
History
The history of the city has been almost always associated with that of Lord Venkateshwara Temple but their origin is obscured by the layers of antiquity. Constant devotion of the rulers of various Southern dynasties in different centuries has kept the revered destination intact, as pilgrims witness it today.
Pallavas, Pandayas, Cholas and Kings of Vijaynagar Empire were the main contributors who added to the wealth and value of the temple. The biggest addition was made by Krishnadevaraya who also got gold statues of himself and his wives installed in the temple. Tirupati Balaji Temple The enhancement of wealth was continued by the other Hindu rulers like Ragoji Bhosle. The treasure of the temple is growing since then as pilgrims give away a part of their riches in devotion to the Lord Venkateswara.
Deities of Temple include Dhruva Beram, Kautuka Beram, Sanapana Beram, Utsava Beram and Bali Beram. Each one of them are worshipped through vastly different rituals which is also something of interest to the tourists and pilgrims, making the temple the most visited worship place of the world. Its riches and treasures are second only to Sree Padamanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
Architecture
Built in accordance with the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple has three entrances, which lead to the sanctum sanctorum. The first entrance is called as ‘Mahadwaram.’ A towering gateway (Gopuram), measuring 50 feet high, is placed right in front of the first entrance. The temple has two circumambulation paths. While the first path houses many pillared halls, flagstaffs and a dedicated area to distribute the offertories, the second path has many sub-shrines, main kitchen, main hundi and many other important edifices. Guest houses and various food counters have been recently constructed for the benefit of the pilgrims.
A gold-plated tower inside the main shrine is called ‘Ananda Nilayam’ and is the most important part of the temple. The inner temple of ‘Ananda Nilayam’ houses the main deity and was constructed around the 12th Century A.D. It was later reconstructed throughout late the 1950s to 1960s. The temple also has a holy pond called Swami Pushkarni, located towards the northern side. Pushkarni, which covers a huge area of 1.5 acres, is one of the most sacred places of the temple. A legend has it that the pond was carried to the hills all the way from Vaikuntham (Lord Vishnu’s abode) by Garuda. Saluva King Narasimha Raya constructed a pillared hall at the center of the pond in 1468.
Attractions
Famed as the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Venkateswara temple is dedicated to Lord … A visit to a natural attraction like that surely is a must.
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple: Tirumala Venkateswara Temple The temple has striking architecture with gold plated Vimanam, the tower housing the main deity, Bangaru Vakili, Padi Kavali and the Vendi Vakili and Garbh Gruha. Numerous Vaishnava festivals are celebrated here which draws even more crowd of pilgrims to the place. The presiding deity, Lord Venkateshwara is believed to be staying here until the end of Kaliyuga as per a legend. So, everyone can enjoy company of Lord till the end of the eternity, availing special Seva by purchasing tickets or free Dharma Darshana.
Silathoranam: Resembling conch, discus and a serpent with hood much like Adishesha who is often depicted supporting nether of Lord Visnu, this natural rock formation is given immense importance for it antiquity. Tirupati Balaji Temple Different theorists have unique suggestions pertaining to existence of these formations.
Kapilateertham: Among all the temples in Tirupati, this one is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located at the foothills of Tirumala, the temple has a tank in which pilgrim take a holy dip before proceeding to visit Lord Venkateshwara temple.
Govindaraja Sway Temple: With a prominently visible Gaali Gopuram, the temple is located near to the Railway Station of Tirupati Balaji Temple. The temple complexes houses idols of many deities in addition to Swamy Govindaraja. Duration of May and June attracts pilgrims from all over India to witness the festival of Brahmotsavam.
Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple: Dedicated to Lord Rama, a highly revered incarnation of Lord Vishnu and his wife Sita, the temple marks the return of the divine couple from Sri Lanka. They were believed to have stayed here for few days after their return, making the place sacred for their devotees.
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple: The temple is believed to be marking the mythological event of wedding of Lord Venkateshwara and Padamavathi Devi. Narayanavanam, the location of the temple, is thus visited by the pilgrims who strongly believe in the legend.
How to Reach Tirupati
By Air : Reniguta is the nearest domestic airport where as Chennai is the nearest International airport to reach Tirupati. Taxi services could be availed to reach the holy destination only 138 Km away, thereafter.
By Train : Connected to all the metropolitans like Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Madurai by rail, Tirupati is also reached by Reniguta a major railhead just 15 Km away.
By Road : Services of the buses plying on different routes reaching Tirupati Balaji Temple could be taken in addition to hiring taxies or renting cars.