History, Importance, Interesting, Unknown Facts and Travel Guide of Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh
Venkateswara Temple is solely dedicated to supreme Lord Vishnu in form of Venkateswara, located in the hill town of Tirumala near Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It is also popular as Tirupati Balaji Temple or Tirupati Temple or Tirumala temple and one of the richest temple of world, managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Trust. Tirupati temple is one of the most visited temple of India. It is believed that Supreme Lord Shri Vishnu had taken the form of Venkateswara to save the mankind from difficulties of Kali Yuga. This sacred place is mentioned over many ancient scriptures like Varaha Puran, Garud Puran, Padma Puran, Harivansh Puran etc. Thus this place is also called as Vaikuntham of Kaliyuga and Lord Vishnu is also called as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The Tirumala hills comprises of seven peaks and the temple is located on the seventh peak called Venkatadri, on the bank of the Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank and temple also famous as Temple of Seven Hills.
This temple is one of the eighth Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras and listed as 106th and the last earthly Divya Desam. It is said to be the one of the richest temple in the world in terms of donations. Everyday around one lakh pilgrims comes here to visit the temple. During the festival like Brahmmotsavam, the pilgrims rise up to 5 lakh and it is the one the most visited holy places in the world.
As per legends, Vishnu while massaging the feet of sage Bhrigu, he squashed the third eye of the sage. The Lakshmi finds it an insult and left onto earth for mediating and after that Vishnu in search of Lakshmi came into earth in form of human called Srinivasa where he got married to Padmavati to keep free from the troubles of Kali Yuga. Goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavati also turn into stone deity expressing their wish to be with Lord Vishnu always.
This temple follows “Vaikhanase Agama” tradition of worship. The world famous Tirupati Laddu is given at the temple as Prasadam. Many devotees of lord Vishnu have their head tonsured (Keshdaan) as “Mokku”, an offering to God.
There is one hill in Tirumala which features natural rock formation which resembles the Garuda, vehicle of Lord Vshinu.
It is said that the idol of Lord Balaji has real hair on it which never entangled and is silky smooth as per temple authority.
If any devotees wants to offer dress for idol of Lord Balaji then currently waiting period is almost 10 years.
As per Vaikhanasa traditions Lord Vishnu is worshiped six times a day and these six Aradhana’s are UshaKala, Prathakala, Madhyanika, Aparahana, SandhyaKala and Ardharatri Aradhana.
Laddu is the main Prasadi in Tirtupati Temple which has a GI Patent. The GI status is granted to identify a product as having a specific provenance, and with a certain quality or reputation associated with that origin.
Another mystery is that the back of Lord Balaji’s idol stays moist all time and idol maintains 110°F temperature even though its surrounding areas stay cool as located at 3000 ft above the sea. When priests perform Abhishekham in morning, the idol appears to sweat and has to wipe off the sweat with silk fabric. Every Thursday, priests find the ornaments are warm when removed from the idol.
If you keep your ear close to the idol’s back, you will hear the sound of enormous seas waves.
Flowers offered to Lord Vishnu are not allowed to throw but should be left in small water fall located behind the idol of the Lord. These flowers could be seen at Yerpedu which lies 20 kms far from Tirupati.
Items used to perform the rituals are brought from a village located at a distance of 22kms from the temple but it is unexplored by anyone except the temple authorities.
Earthen lamps are placed in front of the deity for worshipping. The amazing thing is that these lamps never extinguished and no one knows the time when these were first lit up. It is believed that these were lit up thousands of years ago and will remain the same forever.
The Idol of Balaji is ornamented with ‘Pachai Karpooram’, from Cinnamomum camphora, which is a highly volatile substance and capability to crack big stone but could not impact on idol of Lord Balaji.
Idol of Lord Venkateshwara appears to be standing at the center of the Garba Gudi. In reality Idol of Lord Vishnu placed at the right side corner of the Garba Gudi and which can be observed from standing outside.
How to reach Tirupati Balaji Temple : Tirupati is well connected with roads. You can hire a taxi/cab or even private vehicles to reach the temple. The nearest Railway Station is Tirupati Railway Station at a distance of 26 kms. The nearest Flight connectivity is near Renigunta at a distance of 36 kms.
