History
The Lord Sri Venkateswaraswamy is the all-pervading Lord of the Universe.
Tirumala’s Balaji shrine is among the more famous temples of
The history of the temple dates back to as far as 9th Century A.D, when Pallavas, the rulers of Kancheepuram, patronized this shrine. But it was not until the time of Vijayanagara dynasty in 15th Century AD that the temple got recognition, and the contributions started pouring in.
In 1933, the
Wedding of lord venkateswara
Tirupati, the Home of Lord Venkateswara has long been the destination of many a newly wed couple. The temple is believed to have a particular signification for newly weds as it is believed to be place where Lord Venkateswara married Padmavathy.
An interesting tale forms the backdrop to the temple. Quarrels are not unknown between happily wed couples and the divine ones are no different. Following a spat with Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi left her heavenly abode and came down to the earth. Here she stayed in a hermitage on the banks of the
Missing his beloved, Lord Vishnu went to search of her and this search brought him to earth. Ultimately his quest brought him to the Seshadri hills where he stopped to rest in an anthill. Upset by the separation between Vishnu and Lakshmi, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva decided to intervene. Taking the guise of a cow and a calf they went to live at the place of a Chola king.
The cowherd took them everyday to graze in the Seshadri hills where the cow would secretly visit the anthill where Vishnu was living without sustenance. Emptying her milk, the cow would then return to the palace.
The cowherd was angry as the cow never yielded any milk to him. He watched movements carefully and his explorations brought him to the anthill. In trying to ascertain what lay beneath the anthill, he struck it with an axe thus injuring Vishnu on the forehead.
In search of herbs to heal the wound, Lord Vishnu wandered far and wide. His wanderings brought him to the Shrine of Sri Varahaswamy - the third incarnation of Vishnu as a boar. Here, he sought permission to stay, but Varahaswamy wanted a rental to be paid; Vishnu pleaded that he was poor now and needed rent free accommodation. To reciprocate this gesture of goodwill, he said he would tell his devotees to worship Varahaswamy before they worshipped him. The contract sealed, Vishnu built a hermitage and lived there waited on by a devotee, Vakuladevi who looked after him like a mother. In a nearby kingdom ruled King Akasha Rajan. Childless for many years, he had one day found a beautiful baby girl sleeping on a golden lotus in a golden box while ploughing the fields. He had named her Padmavathy. A beautiful and accomplished girl, Padmavathy had been granted a boon in her earlier birth that she would be married to Lord Vishnu. One day, Vishnu, who had been renamed Srinivasan by his devotee and foster mother Vakuladevi, went hunting in the forest. His wandering led him to a garden with a pond. Srinivasan was thirsty and tired. After drinking from the pond, he rested in the shade of a tree. Soon the soft singing of Padmavathy who was dancing in the garden with her companions roused him. He was stunned by her beauty and drawn to her. She too seemed to be drawn to him, but the angry attendants thinking him a mere hunter drove him away.
Depressed and unhappy he poured his troubles out to Vakuladevi. Now for the first time, he revealed to her who he really was and also told her the story of Padmavathy.
In the meanwhile, Padmavathy was dreaming of Srinivasa. She had no idea who he really was and knew that her parents would never let her be married to a hunter.
Srinivasa urged Vakuladevi to approach Padmavathy's father, Akasha Raja, with the marriage proposal. In the meanwhile he disguised himself as a soothsayer and went to the court of Akasha Raja. There, he assured Padmavathy that the hunter she had fallen in love with was no ordinary man but the Lord and told her that the worries would soon be over. Padmavathy too poured out her heart to her parents. At about the same time, Vakuladevi arrived with the marriage proposal. After consulting with the sages Akasha Raja accepted the proposal and invited Srinivasa to attend the wedding on Friday, the 10th day of Vaikasi.
Srinivasa now had arrangements to make. He sought a loan of one crore and 14 lakh coins of gold from Kubera and had Viswakarma, the divine architect create heavenly surroundings in the Seshadri hills.
The day of the wedding arrived, Lord Srinivasa was bathed in holy waters and dressed in jeweled ornaments befitting a royal bride groom. Then he set off in a procession for the court of Akasha Raja. There Padmavathy waited radiant in her beauty. Srinivasa was hailed with an arthi and led to the marriage hall. There the queen and King washed his feet while sage Vasishta chanted the Vedic mantras. Soon the wedding was over and it was time for Padmavathy to take leave of her parents.
Together, they lived for all eternity while Goddess Lakshmi, understanding the commitments of Lord Vishnu, chose to live in his heart forever.
Tirupati, today, stands as a special place, commemorating the marriage between the two. Everyday, a kalyana utsavam celebrates the divine union in a celebration that stretches to eternity. Even today, during the Brahmotsavam at the temple, turmeric, kumkum and a sari are sent from the temple to Tiruchanur, the abode of Padmavathy. In fact Tirupati is rarely visited without paying a visit to Tiruchanur.
In the light of this background, it has become the favored destination of many newly wed couples who pray for a happy wedding - a wedding like that of Srinivasa and Padmavathy.
History of 7 hills
Vayu (God of Wind) and Seshu (the snake on whom Lord Vishnu resides in Vaikuntham) fights with each other on the issue of 'who is the strongest?'. Seshu says that he is the greatest and strongest because he has Lord Vishnu on him taking rest! He bears the great God, so he is greatest. Then Narada enters the scene. To decide who is the strongest, Narada asks Vayu first to lift a large mountain and throw it away. Then comes the turn of Seshu who has to lift the mountain and throw it away. Even on exerting great force, Seshu could not lift it but he himself becomes a victim, of the great weight of mountain which falls on him. Seshu, who is hitherto living under the mirage of ego of himself being the strongest, prays Lord Vishnu and asks Him to regain him from the mighty mountain. Lord Vishnu thereby saves Seshu, who now prays the Lord to be seated on him again, as usual. Lord Vishnu asks him to wait until He reincarnates on the Earth as Srinivasa.
Seshadri, one of the seven sacred hills, is the mountain on which Lord Venkateswara stands now in Tirumala.
Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam is recited during the early hours (Brahma Muhurta) every morning to wake up the Lord from his sleep. It is believed that Lord Venkateswara will bestow prosperity in abundance to devotees who recite this prarthana every morning.
"uthishtothishta! govinda! uthishta garudadhvaja! uthishta kamalakantha! thrilokyam mangalam kuru"
" matas samsastajagatam : madhukaitabhareh vakshoviharini ! manohara-divyamurte : sri swamini srithajana priya danaseele ! sri Venkatesadayithe thava suprabhatham "
"thava suprabhatham aravindalochane ! bhavathu prasanna mukhachandra mandale vidhisankarendra vanithabhirarchithe ! vrishasaila nathadavithel dayanidhe "
| athriyadhi saptharushays samupasya sandhyam aakasa sindhu kamalani manoharani aadaya padhayuga marchayithum prapanna: seshadrisekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham" | |
 " panchananabja bhava shanmukha vasavadhya: tryvikramadhi charitham vibhudhasthuvanthi bhashapathipatathi vasara shuddhi marath seshadri-sekhara-vibho! thava subrabhatham " |
About Tirupati
State: Andhra Pradesh
Significance:
Best time to visit : September to February
Legend Behind the
There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala in the Puranas. The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism. Once sage Bhrigu visited the aboard of the gods to settle a dispute among the scholars regarding the supreme power among the trinity. He first visited Siva and Brahma's aboard both of whom ignored him. An enraged Bhrigu then visited Vishnu who was fast asleep. In his anger he kicked Vishu on his chest. But Vishnu put up with the insult considering him as a great sage but Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu did not. Lakshmi quarreled with Vishnu and left him. Feeling lonely in Vaikunta, Vishnu is believed to have come down to earth and settled here in hill Seshachalam, to rest and meditate. In course of time he was buried under an ant hill and later turned to stone. Years after, the cows of a local king which used to come here, milked of their own accord and returned home dry. The king came to know of it, discovered the underground form of Lord Srinivasa and placed the Lord in the now famous shrine at Tirupati.
The 2m high standing idol of Venkateswara or the Lord of the Seven Hills, on a lotus flanked by his consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi, is believed to grant any wish made in front of it. The most striking feature of the awe-inspiring black idol is its fabulous diamond crown, which is said to be the most precious single ornament in the world. The richest temple in
The approach to the temple is through mango groves and sandal wood forest and devotees chanting 'Govinda' or 'Om Namo Venkatesaya' reach the top where the temple is situated. 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. Pilgrims can choose from the list and pay to get the 'Sevas' or 'Utsavams' done on their name. Anointing the idol with camphor, saffron and musk and the offering of their hair by pilgrims are important customs performed. A bath in the 'Swami Pushkarini' tank, adjacent to the temple is believed to cleanse devotees of their sins. A consecrated sweet is distributed as 'prasadam' to about 50,000 pilgrims on festival days. The pilgrims visit and pay homage to Adivaraha idol in the Sri Varaha Swami Temple, situated on the banks of the tank before visiting Sri Venkateswara Temple.
The devotees stand in line for hours together to obtain a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few fleeting seconds. Different darshans are arranged for the convenience of the pilgrims, the 'Sarvadarshan' -'darshan for all', free of cost, timings differ on different week days, Special darshan (paid darshan), 'Sudarshanam' -free or paid darshan's using a token system minimizing the waiting time) and special darshan for the physically disabled and the aged.
Brahmotsavam, the most important of the various festivals of the temple, is conducted usually in Bhadrapada i.e., in September for about 9 days. On account of Adika Masam, which comes in every third year, the Brahmotsavam celebrated then is especially grand and held under the name 'Navarathri Brahmotsavam'. The 'Garudotsavam' and the temple car festival 'Rathotsavam' is particularly popular. These Brahmotsavams attract thousands of pilgrims from various parts of the country.
The main activities carried out during Brahmotsavam:
Aalaya Suddhi
Before the commencement of Brahmotsavam, the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara is cleaned according to the guidelines given in the religious texts. The temple premises and its surroundings are decorated with flowers and mango leaves. This process is called Aalaya Suddhi and Alankaram (decoration).
Mritsangrahanam (the process of collecting earth) is carried out on the day prior to the first day of Brahmotsavam. The temple officials pray to deities like Vishvaksena, Anantha, Sudarshana and Garuda. They also pray to Mother Earth and collect a small quantity of earth, with which the Ankurarpanam ritual is conducted, by which the earth is spread in a room and nine kinds of cereals are sown in it.
Dwajarohanam and Devatavanam
Dwajarohanam (hoisting the flag or garudadhwaja) signals the start of the Brahmotsavam. It is carried out at the Dwajasthambham, near the Nadimi Padi Kavili inside the temple complex. The temple officials hoist the flag (with a picture of Garuda on it) to the chanting of Vedic mantras by the temple priests.
It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam to invite Gods like Brahma, Indra, Yama, Agni, Kubera and Vayudeva and sages like Vasistha and Vishwamitra.
The Lord is taken in a procession around the streets of Tirumala on different vahanas (vehicles). Each vahana has its own significance, and conveys the Lord’s message in its own way.
During Brahmotsavam, the Lord holds court in the main temple, after being taken around in a procession. The temple priests perform Naivedyam during this time.
Snapanam (also called the Utsavananthara Snapanam) is the process of bathing the Lord with herbal water after the procession. It is believed to relieve the strain the Lord has undergone during the procession.
Choornabhishekam
Choornabhishekam involves bathing the lord and his consorts after anointing them with sandalwood powder. This is done on the morning of the ninth day of the Brahmotsavam. The Lord is then taken in a procession around the streets of Tirumala. The temple priests distribute the sandalwood powder used for the Lord to devotees. It is believed that the sandalwood powder has the power of clearing obstacles from one's path.
The Chakrasnanam ritual is akin to the bathing ritual after the performance of a yagna. On the morning of the last day of Brahmotsavam, the Lord, his consorts and Sri Sudarshanachakram are bathed in the Swami Pushkarini.
Devotees can also bathe in the Swami Pushkarini, along with Sri Sudarshanachakram. It is considered to be a very sacred ritual, and devotees participate in this ritual, irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
Devatodwasanam
On the last day of Brahmotsavam, the ritual of seeing off the rishis and Gods to Devalokam is called Devatodwasanam. It is performed after the daily archana. Lord Brahma is praised for organising the utsavam, and He is honoured by the temple priests and officials.
Dwajavarohanam or lowering the flag (hoisted on the first day of Brahmotsavam) is carried out on the evening of the last day of Brahmotsavam.
Day 1: Pedda Seshavahana
The first day of Brahmotsavam is commenced with the hoisting of Garuda Dhwaja (a religious flag with the sign of Eagle on it), followed by a panaromic procession of Lord Venkateswara around the temple. The event starts at 10.00 pm and continues till midnight. The vehicle on which the Lord Venkateswara is carried is called Pedda Seshavahana and is believed to be the manifestation of Adisesha (The thousand-headed serpent, on whom Lord Sri Maha Vishnu rests in his abode). The magnanimous march lasts for the first two day of Brahmotsavam.
Day 2: Chinna Seshavahana
The second day starts with the Lord's procession, this time on Chinna Seshavahana. The day slips away in the worship of the Lord and in the night the deities are taken to the Uyala Mandapam for the Unjal Seva (swinging).
Day 3: Simhavahana
Strength and power remain the area of concentration on the third day. And to denote this the deities are carried on Simhavahana - a vehicle with the Lion's emblem on it, which denotes command and authority. It is considered that the Lord assumed the form of Narasimaha (a mythological character who was half human and half lion) to kill the demon named Hiranyakasipu, and to connote this the Lord Ventakeswara uses lion as his vehicle. After the procession the deities are once again taken to the Unjal Seva followed by an exciting ride on Mutayalapandri Vahana; the symbol of purity.
Day 4: Kalpavriksha Vahana
The fourth day comprises of two processions, one on the Kalpavriksha Vahana in the morning followed by a procession on Sarvabhoopala Vahana in the night. Kalpavriksham is name of a tree that grants boon and fulfils all wishes, and Sarvabhoopala means 'all the kings of Mother Earth' where in it reminds all the king sand rulers to give their people the first priority. The night is reserved for the devotees to go for the Unjal poojaDay 5: Garuda Vahana
Mohini Avatarotsavam is celebrated on the fifth day to commemorate the Lord's incarnation as Mohini and the assistance rendered by him to the Devatas during Ksheerasagaramadhanam. The Lord is dressed like Mohini, and is taken in a procession in a Pallaki with Lord Krishna. After the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord and his consorts are seated on Garuda Vahana. In the Vaishnava Puranas, Garuda is also called periyatiruvadi, meaning the first devotee. Therefore, Lord Venkateswara selected Garuda as his vehicle for the most important day of the Brahmotsavam. Garuda Vahana is the greatest of all the Vahanas. A large number of pilgrims visit the temple on this day.
Day 6: Gaja Vahana
Hanuman, the greatest devotee of Lord Ram, is the special guest on the sixth day of Brahmotsavam. Devotees believe that they are blessed if they catch a glimpse of the Lord on Hanumad Vahana.Unjal Seva is not performed on the sixth day instead; Vasantotsavam (spring festival) is celebrated. In the night, the Lord is mounted on the Gaja Vahana, Gajam (elephant). It can be attributed to the elephant in Gajendramoksham (story from the Mahabhaghavatam), which is saved from a crocodile by Lord Vishnu. Therefore, the Lord is taken in a procession seated on a Gaja Vahana during Brahmotsavam.Day 7: Suryaprabha Vahana
The Lord rides on Suryaprabha Vahana (Sun chariot) on the seventh day of Brahmotsavam. According to Hindu mythology Lord Vishnu is believed to be the centre of the universe. And to symbolise this, Lord Venkateswara uses the Suryaprabha (light of the Sun) Vahana. After the Unjal Seva in the night, the Lord is taken in the Chandraprabha Vahana (moon-shaped vehicle) around the streets of Tirumala. According to Hindu mythology, Chandra is the commander of the mind and the king of aushadha (medicine). It is also said that riding on the Chandraprabha Vahana is a soothing experience for the Lord that brings peace to devotees' minds.
Day 8: Rathotsavam
The Lord is taken on a procession seated on a chariot also known as Rathotsavam on the eighth day of Brahmotsavam. The idols of Daruka (the charioteer of Lord Sri Krishna) and the four horses (Saibyam, Sugreevam, Meghapushpam and Valahakam) are placed before the decorated idols of the Lord and his consorts. The chariot is pulled along by devotees, who chant Govinda!, Govinda! After the Unjal Seva in the night, the deities are taken in the Aswa (horse) Vahana. Aswam, a symbol of energy, means 'one who runs fast'. Lord Venkateswara travels on a horse when he goes for paruveta. It is believed that those who witness Rathotsavam will not be reborn.
Day 9: Chakrasnana Mahotsavam
On the last day, Pallaki Seva and Chakrasnana Mahotsavam in the morning and Dhwajavarohanam are performed in the evening. The processional images are anointed with oil, turmeric powder and other auspicious ingredients and Abhishekam is performed. Sudarsan Chakram is given a bath in the Swami Pushkarini. The Garuda flag is then lowered.
Darshan booking:
The TTD has changed the "Sudarshan Booking" counters from Tirumala to Tirupati.If you have not booked the tickets(Rs.50/-paid or Free)for Darshan from your City outside Tirupati, Now the Sudarshan Tickets can only be booked from Tirupati near Railway station, bus stand also at Srinivasa Complex.
Also There is e-darshan booking facility available at
Garuda Statue on the way to Tirumala
Culture
The people of Tirupati speak mostly Telugu though Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and EnglishDhoti, Lungi and Sari and modern attire. Practices of Tonsure and using Tilak are commonly seen. Songs and prayers of Lord Venkateswara like Annamacharya kirtanas can be heard all over the town. are understood. The residents and visitors can be seen in both traditional attire like
Festivals
The town celebrates most Vaishnava festivals including Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navamijanmashtami with great splendor, while the Brahmotsavam celebrated every year during September is the most important festivals in Tirumala, when it receives millions of devotees over a short span of a week. Rathasapthami (Magha Shuddha Saptami) is another festival, celebrated during February, when Lord Venkateswara idol will be taken procession around the temple chariots.[4] and
Another local festival Gangamma Jathara is also celebrated as a major festival. The Goddess Gangamma is offered animal sacrifices and also pongal and other offerings by the devotees. She is considered as the sister of The Lord Almighty,Govinda.
Religious Attractions:
There are many temples in Tirupati and Tirumala. Some of them are:
- Alamelu - Alamelu Mangamma Shrine
- Srinivasa Mangapuram
- Kapila Theertham (Lord siva shrine, the only Shaiva Shrine in Tirupati): This Temple is Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. There is a beautiful waterfall near the
Akasha Ganga in Tirumala
- On the way to Tirumala, World
Museum in Tirumala
- Museum at Tirumala is one of the tourist attractions.
The water fall on the way down the hill
- Avanakshamma Temple-42 km from Tirupathi,
- Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple-Narayanavanam, 48 km from Tirupathi
- Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple-Appalayagunta, 20 km from Tirupathi
Around Tirupati
One of the most important temples in the heart of Tirupati is
Silathoranam (Rock Arch)
About 1km from
Coordinates: 
13°39′N 79°25′E / 13.65, 79.42 Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Area
• Elevation
• 161 m (528 ft) District(s) Chittoor Population 253,327 (2001) MLA Venkata Ramana Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 517501
• +0877
• AP-03
http://www.atmatattva.com/tirupati-balaji.htm
in this link The History of Sri Tirupati
Venkateswara (Balaji)
How to get there
Air: The nearest airport is at Tirupati.
Rail: Tirupati is the nearest railway station. There are trains that travel via Renigunta or Gudur, but do not touch Tirupati. In such cases, Renigunta (just 10-km from Tirupati) or Gudur (100-km from Tirupati), are convenient points to alight. From Renigunta/Gudur, one can reach Tirupati by train, bus, or taxi.
Buses: APSRTC buses run from all the important places in the state and between Tirupati and Tirumala. TTD also runs buses between Tirupati and Tirumala, free of cost. Taxis are also available over here.
