The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on
the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill,
and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.It is by
the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the
appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also
called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique
sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala
Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali
Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka
or Sri Venkateswara.
The benefits acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned
in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara
is described as the great bestowed of boons. There are several
legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.
History
There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity
of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara. All the great dynasties
of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri
Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram
(9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the
Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar
(14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed
with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and
contributions.
It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions
to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself
and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these
statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati
Raya in the main temple.
Temple Legends
 Sri
Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which
the most important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara
Purana. The printed work contains 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. Most of these
extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills around
Tirumala and the numerous teerthams situated on them.
The legends taken from the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha
Purana, pertaining to the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala,
are of particular interest.
According to the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself
on the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the
form of Venkateswara came to reside on the southern bank of the
Swami Pushkarini.
Attractions at Tirupati Tirumala
Padi Kavali Maha Dwara
The Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands on a quadrangular
base. Its architecture is that of the later Chola period. The
inscriptions on the gopuram belong to 13th century. There are
a number of stucco figures of Vaishnava gods like Hanuman, Kevale
Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha on the gopuram.
Sampangi Pradakshinam
The path for circumnavigating the temple is called a pradakshinam.
The main temple has three prakarams. Between the outermost and
middle prakarams is the second pathway for circumambulation known
as the Sampangi Pradakshinam. Currently, this pathway is closed
to pilgrims. The Sampangi Pradakshinam contains several interesting
mandapams like the Pratima Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam, Tirumala
Raya Mandapam, Saluva Narasimha Mandapam, Aina Mahal and Dhvajasthambha
Mandapam.
Ranga Mandapam
Ranga Mandapam, also called the Ranganayakula Mandapam, is located
in the south-eastern corner of the Sampangi Pradakshinam. The
shrine within it is believed to be the place where the utsava
murti of Lord Ranganadha of Srirangam was kept during the 14th
century, when Srirangam was occupied by Muslim rulers. It is said
to have been constructed between 1320 and 1360 AD by the Yadava
ruler Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya. It is constructed according
to the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
Tirumala Raya Mandapam
Adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western side, and facing the
Dhvajasthambha Mandapam is a spacious complex of pavilions known
as the Tirumala Raya Mandapam or Anna Unjal Mandapam.
It consists of two different levels, the front at a lower level
and the rear at a higher. The southern or inner portion of this
Mandapam was constructed by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 AD to celebrate
a festival for Sri Venkateswara called Anna Unjal Tirunal. This
structure was extended to its present size by Araviti Bukkaraya
Ramaraja, Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja.
It is in this Mandapam, that the utsava murthi Malayappan, holds
His annual darbar or Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja
on Dhwajastambham to mark the commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally,
the prasadam distributed on this occasion is still called Tirumalarayan
Pongal.
Tirumala Raya Mandapam
The Mandapam has a typical complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara
style, with a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars, some
of which emit musical notes when struck with a stone. The main
pillars have rearing horses with warriors mounted on them. Some
of the best sculptures of the temple are found in bold relief
in the Mandapam. The bronze statues of Todermallu, his mother
Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi, are kept in a corner of
the Mandapam.
The Aina Mahal
The Aina Mahal is on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam.
It consists of two parts - an open mandapam in the front consisting
of six rows comprising six pillars each, and a shrine behind it
consisting of an Antarala and Garbhagriha. It has large mirrors
which reflect images in an infinite series. There is an unjal
in the middle of the room in which the Lord is seated and festivals
conducted.
The Daily Routines - Tirupati Tirumala
Balaji Temple
The daily program starts with 'Suprabhatam' (awakening the Lord)
at three in the morning and end with the 'Ekanta Seva' (putting
the Lord to sleep) at one in the night. Daily, Weekly and Periodical
'Sevas' and 'Utsavams' are performed to the Lord. Interested pilgrims
can choose from the list and pay to get the Sevas or Utsavams
done on their name. Devotees offer their gifts and donations in
the "Hundi", which is the main source of income.
Festivals of Tirupati
Everyday is a day of festivity at Tirumala. The most famous is
the annual festival called 'Brahmotsavam', which is celebrated
on grand scale for nine days in September, attracting pilgrims
and tourists from all parts of the country. The fifth and ninth
days of the festival are especially significant in as much as
Garudostavam and Rathotavam takes place on those days.
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