LORD VENKATESHWARA
TIRUMALA TIRUPATI
DEVASTHANAM
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is the most popular temple in the world. It is located in Tirumala in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity, Lord Venkateshwara, is Lord Vishnu. He is believed to have appeared to save humankind from Kaliyuga effects.
This temple is located at the peak of Tirumala hill, also known as Venkatadri. The Venkatadri is one of the seven hills (Saptagiri) . These seven hills are – Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri.
The venkateswara swamy is also known by and other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is under control of Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by Andhra Pradesh Governme
Tirumala Hills are part of Seshachalam Hills range. The hills are 853 metres (2,799 ft) above sea level and comprise seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha. The temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. Hence the temple is also referred to as “Temple of Seven Hills”.[4] Tirumala town covers an area of about 10.33 sq mi (26.75 km2).
tirumala tirupati
bramothsavalu
Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams,
a nine-day event, which is celebrated every year during month of October, is the major event of Venkateswara Temple. During brahmotsavams the processional deity Malayappa along with his consorts SriDevi and BhuDevi, is taken in a procession in four mada streets around the temple on different vahanams.
DAILY sevas
SUPRABATHAM
Suprabhatam – This Seva is done at 2:30 AM in the morning to wake the Lord from his sleep. So After that, the priests carry the idol from Sayana Mandapam (sleeping place) to the Ananda Nilayam (main shrine). The ticket costs Rs. 200 per person.
EKANTHA SEVA
Ekantha Seva – It is the last Seva of the day and starts at 1:30 AM. But The priests lay down the silver image on a golden cot in a sleeping position.
VENKATESHWARA SAHASRANAMA ARCHANA
Venkateshwara Sahasranama Archana – This Archana starts at 4:15 AM. In this Pooja, devotees recite the 1008 names of Lord Vishnu.And Priests also call the blessings in the names and Gothra of the pilgrims taking part in the pooja. Pilgrims can perform the Seva on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The ticket price is Rs. 220 per person.
WEEKLY SEVAS
VISHESHA POOJA
Vishesha Pooja is on Mondays – This Pooja starts from 7:30 AM to 9 AM. Priests recite several stotras and perform Abhisheka. Then, they place 14 Kalash in front of the deities. They consist of oil, milk, curd, rice, and holy water in them.
SAHASRA KALABHISHEKAM
Sahasra Kalabhishekam on Wednesdays – The ritual starts from 6:30 AM till 8:30 AM. In this unique ritual, priests fill 1008 silver vessels, 8 Parivara vessels, and one gold vessel with various things.So Devotees also recite various Pancha Suktas and Shanti Mantras. The ticket costs Rs. 5000 for 6 persons.
TIRUPPUVADA SEVA
Tiruppuvada Seva on Thursdays – This Seva begins at 6:30 AM. Priests remove all the ornaments and flowers from the deity. Then, they dress the idol only in a Dhoti and an Uttareeyam. The cost is Rs. 5000 for 6 persons.
Tirumala Temple Dress Code
Men are required to wear traditional dhoti and pajama with a shirt or kurta. Women are required to wear either a saree or a Churidar pajama with a kurta.
TOTAL VIEW POINT IN TIRUPATI
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Architecture
- It follows the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple has three entrances leading to the main shrine (Ananda Nilayam).
- First entrance – Mahadwara Gopuram with a brass door.
- Second entrance – Nadimipadi Kavali with the silver entrance.
- Third entrance – Bangaru Vakili with a golden door.
- The main idol of the Lord is in a standing position on a platform called “Brahmasthana.” Goddess Lakshmi is present on the right and Goddess Padmavathi on the left. The Gopuram (the entrance tower) over the main sanctum is covered with a golden vase. An idol of Vimana Venkateshwara is also present on the top of it.
- Priests can never displace the main idol of the Lord. Hence, small idols of several Gods are present in the sanctum to worship. They are Bhoga Srinivasa, Ugra Srinivasa, Koluvu Srinivasa, Sri Malayappan, and Sri Chakrathalvar. Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Mata Sita, Lakshmana, Sugreeva are also present.
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Significance
- The common belief is that the Lord appeared on the Venkatadri hill to save humankind from the ill effects of Kaliyuga. The idol here is worshipped since the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Therefore, people call this place as Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.
- Most-Visited Place of Worship – Around 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually) visits this temple. On the day of the Brahmotsavam festival, the count increases to 500,000 pilgrims daily.
- The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras. The word Swayambhu means that Lord Vishnu himself has turned into a statue here rather than installed by someone.
- Tirupati Balaji is also listed as 106th Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. It is the last earthly Desam of Lord Vishnu before he left earth for Vaikuntha.
- It is believed that one can hear the sound of an ocean by pressing an ear at the idol of the Lord. Also, the temperature of the idol always remains too high even after bathing it with water and Chandan.
History of Tirumala Temple
- Tirupati Balaji Temple is believed to have been built by King Thondaiman at the end of 8th century AD. He was the ruler of the Tamil ancient kingdom called Thondaimandala.
- The temple also received patronage from several dynasties like the Pallavas (9th century), the Cholas (10th century) and highly from the Vijayanagara kingdom in the 14th century.
- Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara kingdom donated abundantly and renovated the temple periodically by adding new structures to it.
Legends of Tirumala Temple
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple and its legends are mentioned in various historical manuscripts and also in various Puranas.
Legend of Lord Varaha Swamy
The legend says that Venkateshwara took the land of Tirumala hill from Varaha Swami. In return, Venkateshwara gave him a promise that he would be paid the first darshan.
Legend of Adishesha
Lord Vishnu gave a boon to Adisesha. The boon was that he would join the Venkatadri hills and become an abode of Lord Vishnu. Adisesha accepted and became Venkatadri.
Legend of Lakshmi and Padmavati
Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Srinivasa, met Padmavati in the forests during a hunt. They fell in love with each other. Later, they married each other after Akasa Raja’s approval. After six months of the marriage, Lakshmi returned to Vishnu in disbelief.
Festivals celebrated at Tirumala
- Tirumala Brahmotsavam – This festival is celebrated for 9 days every year during the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sep/Oct). This festival attracts millions of pilgrims for nine days.
- The deity is taken out in procession on different Vahanam every day like Shesha Vahanam and Singha Vahanam. By watching the parade, one gets the protection of Lord and Punya in life.
- The last day is the Birth Star day of Lord Venkateshwara. The celebration ends with Dhvajavarohanam, lowering of the Garuda flag.
- Teppotsavam – This festival is celebrated for five days in the month of Chaitra (March). The deities of Tirumala temple are taken for a ride in the Swami Pushkarini Tank.
- Vasanthotsavam – This festival is celebrated for three days in March/April. King Achyutaraya introduced this festival to mark the beginning of the spring season.
- Pavithrotsavam – The festival is celebrated for three days in the month of Shravan (July/August). The priests seek forgiveness from Lord Venkateshwara for all the mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly while performing the daily rituals.
- Jyesthabhshekam – The festival is celebrated in the month of Jyestha (June). Lord Venkateshwara appeared with a protective armor to fight against evil in Kaliyuga. On this day, people do Abhisheka and Poojas to that armor.