Thiruvengadam Sri Venkateswara Swami Vaari Temple( Tirupati)- Andhra Pradesh

Address

Thiruvengadam Sri Venkateswara Swami Vaari Temple- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, TTD Administrative Building, K.T. Road, Tirupati – 517 501, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Deity

Venkateswara Amman: Padmavathi

Introduction

This is a detailed introduction and description of the Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, which is located in the town of Tirumala in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is renowned for its historical, religious, and architectural significance.

Introduction

Tirupati is located in Andhra Pradesh, with the temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, also known by other names like Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa.
The temple follows Dravidian architecture and is believed to have been constructed over time, starting around 300 AD.
The temple is considered Kaliyuga Vaikuntha, and Venkateswara is seen as the savior of mankind in this era.
Vaikhanasa Agama is the tradition followed for worship.
The temple is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras and is the last earthly Divya Desam.

Puranic Significance

Legends from Hindu mythology describe Lord Venkateswara’s descent to Earth during Kali Yuga to save mankind.
The Venkateswara Murti is believed to stay in the temple throughout Kali Yuga, and several legends surround its manifestation in Tirumala, including the stories involving Bhrigu, Lakshmi, Padmavati, and the Chola king.
Venkateswara’s marriage to Padmavati at Narayanavanam is also a significant event tied to the temple’s lore.

Special Features

The temple has three Dwarams (entrances), namely the Mahadwaram, Vendivakili, and Bangaruvakili, which lead to the sanctum sanctorum.
The Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum), known as Ananda Nilayam, houses the presiding deity in a standing posture, with Lakshmi and Padmavati depicted on the deity’s chest.
Pradakshinams (Circumambulation Paths) are present around the sanctum for pilgrims, with sub-shrines and special areas for offerings.
The Vimana over the sanctum is a three-tiered Gopuram, with a Vimana Venkateswara image believed to be an exact replica of the deity in the Garbhagriha.
The temple also hosts various smaller deities like Garuda, Narasimha, Kubera, Sugriva, and Hanuman.

Festivals

The temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama tradition and hosts numerous festivals, with the Brahmotsavams being the most significant, drawing millions of pilgrims.
Tirupati Laddu, the famous prasadam, is distributed to the pilgrims, contributing to the temple’s widespread fame.
On normal days, 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims visit the temple, while during festivals, the numbers can rise to 500,000, making it one of the most visited religious sites in the world.