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The Lord of the Seven Hills, Venkateswara, has his home in Tirupati. In the Sri Venkateshwara Sanctuary and National Park, the holy hill of Tirumala can be found about six miles (10 kilometres) northwest of Tirupati. Non-Hindus were forbidden from ascending the hill until 1870 because it was regarded as holy. An ancient temple sits atop the hill, at a height of approximately 850 metres (2,800 ft). One of India’s most revered temples is surrounded by sacred waterfalls and tanks (reservoirs) and devoted to Lord Venkateshwara.
History of Tirupati Balaji temple
In 966 CE, Pallava queen Samavai made the first documented endowment. She donated two parcels of property (a 10 acre one and a 13 acre one), and she directed that the earnings earned from that land should be used to fund the temple’s major festivals. The Pallavas, the Cholas, and the Vijayanagara pradhans were all devoted to Venkateswara in the ninth century. Diamonds and gold were sent to the temple by the Vijayanagara Empire, which is now the state of Karnataka. Emperor Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara donated and visited the shrine frequently in 1517. In recognition of his generosity, he made gifts of gold and gems to the Ananda Nilayam (inner sanctum). Krishnadevaraya had his statue placed at the shrine on January 2, 1517.
Architecture of Tirupati Balaji
There are three entrances to the sanctum sanctorum in the temple, which was built according to the Dravidian architectural style. ‘Mahadwaram’ is the name of the first gate. There is a 50-foot-tall Gopuram (gateway) in front of the first entrance of the temple. It is possible to go around the temple in two ways. With multiple pillared halls and flagpole locations in the first section of the temple, the second section features a large kitchen, hundi, and several other important buildings. Recently, a number of guesthouses and food stands have been built for pilgrims’ advantage. Ananda Nilayam, a gold-plated tower in the temple’s main shrine, is the most essential part of the temple.
Deities
The structure of the temple has shrines to a number of different deities. The shrine of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman is one of them. Rukmini, his consort, Vishvaksena, Sugriva and Angad are all honoured in the temple’s shrines. Vishvaksena, Lord Vishnu’s personal attendant, is a well-known character from the Hindu epic Ramayanam. In addition to these gods, there are five other major gods:
- Tirumala Dhruva Bera – There is a belief that Dhruva Bera, the major deity, is a source of energy. A Swayambhu idol of Lord Venkateswara has been established. Srinivasa is supposed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu on Earth
- Bhoga Srinivasa – Located at the foot of the main deity, this is a silver idol of the Lord. Queen Samavai of the Pallava dynasty donated this idol to the temple in 614 A.D. A silver cradle is used to rock the idol, and a golden cot is used to put it to bed
- Ugra Srinivasa – Inside the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Ugra Srinivasa is cleaned with holy water, milk and ghee, curd, etc., every day
Festivals celebrated in Tirupati Balaji Temple
The Tirupati Temple celebrates 433 festivals each year, making it feel like a celebration every day. ‘Brahmotsavam’ is Tirupati’s most well-known festival out of the others. Celebrations for ‘Brahmotsavam’ take place over the course of nine days. Pilgrims and tourists alike flock to attend the event from across the country. The festival is known as ‘Brahmotsavam’, which translates to ‘the festival performed by Brahma’ because tradition has it that Lord Brahma descends to Earth each year to perform it. ‘Vaikunta Ekadashi’ is another prominent event observed in the temple. On this specific day, it is said that the gates of heaven (Lord Vishnu’s dwelling) will be open. As a result, the festival has a significant cultural value. The temple also celebrates Rathasapthami, Rama Navami, Janmashtami, Vasanthotsavam, Pushpa yagam, Teppotsavam, among other notable festivals.
Significance of Tirupati Balaji
From a religious standpoint, Tirumala (Tirupati Sri ) Venkateswara Temple is highly revered. Devotees come from all over the world every year to visit the temple. Legend has it that in the Dark Age (Kaliyuga), Sri Venkateswara was a benefactor of boons, and people came here to seek his blessings. According to folklore, the temple’s primary deity has endured epochs (Yugas). Since Lord Vishnu is said to have turned into stone to aid mankind during the Dark Ages, visitors to the temple frequently feel a sense of peace and serenity. Andhra Pradesh’s government and its people both benefit economically from the shrine.
Conclusion
The Temple is built per the Dravidian style of architecture and is believed to have been built around 300 AD. Ananda Nilayam is the Sanctum Sanctorum. In Garbha griha, Venkateswara stands and faces east. The temple worships Vaikhanasa Agama. The temple is the 106th and last terrestrial Divya Desam, and one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras.
