VENKATESWARA TEMPLE

LOCATION:

The most famous and the most visited temple of the world, Lord Venkateswara Temple is situated on the Venkatachalam Hill or the Tirupati Hill, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Lord Venkateswara is also known as the Lord of Seven Hills due to the fact that the temple is situated on the Eastern Ghats range, which are also called the Seven Hills.

Lord Venkateswara is the prime deity of south India and has been worshiped by many prominent kings of the southern dynasties that ruled the peninsular region, including the Cholas, the Pallavas, the Pandavas and the Vijay Nagar Empire Kings. It is believed that the temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu and the stunning statue is a self-manifested one. Around one lac devotees visit the temple daily.

HISTORY:

Though the temple got all its recognition and glory only in the 15th century, during the reigns of the flourishing Vijayanagara Dynasty, the inscriptions and literatures substantiate that the temple history dates back to the 9th century, when the Pallava kings worshiped Lord Tirupati or Lord Venkateswara in this shrine.

King Krishnadevaraya started the trend of rich offerings in the temple. Maratha General Rajhoji Bhonsle had set up a permanent fund for the contributions and endowments. Today, the temple is known as the richest temple of India, due to the rich endowments and offerings by the devotees.

The temple came into the hands of the Muslim rulers during the reigns of the Islamic dynasties and was then passed on to the Britishers and the East India Company, till they decided not to keep the native religious institutions under their control, in the 18th century. For about a century, the temple was served by Sri Seva Dossji of Hatiramji Mutt, after which Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Comittee took its controls. At present, after a long journey of changing hands, The Tirupathi Board of Trustees serve this sacred shrine of the south.

ARCHITECTURE:

The temple is representative of the Dravidian and Vijaynagar styles of architecture. The fine detailing on the external walls depicting the Vaishnava Gods. The mandapams, especially the Ranga Mandapam, Tirumala Raya Mandapam, the Dhwajastambha mandapam are beautifully decorated with carvings and sculptures. The towers that surround the pavilion emanate melodious sounds, when striked upon.

The temple is decorated with gopurams or towers with sculptures carved upon them. Ananda Nilayam or the copula just above the Garbhgriham is covered with gold in its entirity. The Garbhgriham consists of three precincts, the outermost being the banner post known as the Dhwajastambha, the statue of the King, Krishnadevaraya and Todarmal, Mughal emperor Akbar's minister.

The special attraction of the temple is the majestic idol of Lord Venkateswara, which is spell bounding with four arms holding a conch, discus, third arm in a posture denoting bestowing of blessings and fourth hand resting on the waist. The full bodied statue of the Lord looks remarkably graceful and heavenly with the drapes, ornaments and tilak. Crowds of devotees throng the temple to get a glimpse of the Lord and offer prayers and rich endowments to Him.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

The major attractions of the temple are the mandapams, copulas, gopurams, Garbhgriham, sculptures, the Dravidian style of architecture and the most graceful statue of Lord Venkateswara. The rich endowments presented by the erstwhile kings of the Peninsular region, preserved in the temple, also form an important attraction in the temple.

The main places inside the temple include the Krishnadevaraya Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam, Aina Mahal, Dhwajastambha Mandapam, Vimana Pradakshinam, Sri Varadarajaswami Shrine Potu, Sankeertana Bandara, Shri Garuda Temple and Sri Vishwaksena Temple apart from the main shrine of Lord Venkateswara.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Akash Ganga:

The scenic waterfall, about 3km to the north of the temple, is considered to be sacred lending to the fact that its waters are used daily for Lord's bath and abhishekam. The smooth ravine goes through the jungles and then flows through the rocky pathways.

Papa Vinasham:

Papa Vinasham literally means 'washing of sins'. The site is located 5 km north of the Tirupati temple.
The belief of the devotees, that the pure waters of the dam will wash away their sins, makes this place a special site of Tirumala. It is a small deep basin nestled between hills, with falling streams of water being collected into it, where worshipers take a dip into the holy waters.

Varahaswami Temple:

Varahaswami, is another incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who emerged in a boar form. It is considered to be a privilege to have the first view of Lord Varaha and his first naivedyam or offering of food to the Lord and then only visit the Venkateswara temple.