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Tirupathi
 The temple town of Tirupathi is located to the extreme
south of Andhra Pradesh in Chittoor district, 740 kms away from
Hyderabad. It is renowned for one of the most venerated shrines in
India that of the ancient temple of Lord Venkateswara on the
Tirumala Hills.
Tirumala
has seven hills, representing the seven heads of a huge serpent
called Sesha Saye on which Lord Vishnu rests resides. The black idol
of Balaji is covered in gold, jewellery and previous ornaments and
is 2 metres high.
Tirupathi
is believed to be the richest temple in the country with picturesque
surroundings. The temple is also a fine example of Dravidian Art
& Style. It is also a famous center for wood carving.
In
this service we arrange to offer an easy darshan & accommodation
for the devotees of any far off places – both out of state and out
of country devotees. Right from the Train Ticket Reservations of
your choice (including return tickets) to the accommodation (cottage
booking) and darshan of the Lord we can arrange things done
precisely. If you wish so, a four-wheeler will also be at your
service. As the need arises we may also arrange a guide to make the
devotees quite acquainted with the place.
We
hope to extend this facility to other pilgrimage places in India
shortly.
TIRUMALA – The
Abode of Lord Venkateswara
Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam, is one of the most
popular Hindu shrine in the country. The temple dedicated to Lord
Venkateshwara at Tirumala is perched at height of 874 metres above
mean sea level and 15 km. North-west of Tirupati, the temple town is
located at the foot of the seven hills of the Eastern Ghats in
Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
The
12th century Vaishnavite shrine is one of the richest
shrine of the world, with annual income of the temple being more
than two billion rupees. Often referred as the ‘Vatican of the
East’, the size of the visiting pilgrims and the wealth the temple
town offers in terms of religious, cultural and natural splendour,
make it an unsurpassed pilgrimage site.
HISTORY:
The
exact period in which the temple was founded is not known, and
tradition has it that the temple is Swayambhustala, meaning, it came
into existence on its own without anyone making it. As per folk
legends there was a huge anthill at Tirupati. A farmer heard a voice
from the heavens asking him to feed the ants. By chance the local
king heard the voice and began supplying milk for the ants, himself.
His compassion resulted in the liquid uncovering a magnificent idol
of Lord Venkateshwara hidden beneath the anthill.
According
to some evidences the history of the temple dates back to almost
2,000 years. In the ancient times a queen called Samavai belonging
to Pallava dynasty (614 AD.) is said to have consecrated the first
silver image here. The temple is also mentioned in the Sangam poetry
(500 BC. – 2000 AD.). Numerous temple inscriptions from the
9th century record details of the temple and
contributions made by both Pallavas and Chola Kings. It is believed
tat originally there was only one shrine at Tirumalai. When the
Vaishnavite saint, Ramanuja, visited Andhra in the 12th
century, the temple at Tirupathi was built. The Chola period saw the
temple complex prospered and expanded. In 1517, Krishnadevaraya, on
one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels
enabling the Vimana (inner shrine) roofing to be gilded. The Maratha
general Raghoji Bhonsle visited the temple and set up a permanent
administration for the conduct of worship in the temple. Among the
later rulers who endowed large benefaction were the rulers who
endowed large benefaction were the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal. In
1843 with the coming of the East India Company, the administration
of the Shri Venkateshwara temple and a number of shrines was
entrusted to Seva Dossji of the Hathiramji Mutt at Tirumala as
Vicaranakarta for nearly a century, till 1933 when the temple was
under the administrative charge of the mahants. The Madras
legislature passed a special act in 1933 whereby the Tirumala
Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) committee was invested with powers of
administration and control through a commissioner appointed by Govt.
of Madras. A Ryot Advisory Council was formulated for the management
of the estates of the TTD, this was assisted by Religious Advisory
Council with regard to religious matters.
The
Tirumala Temple: The
Tirumala temples nestles amidst the peaks of the seven hills of
Tirumala. The temple can be approached from Tirupati by a 15 km.
Road, it is a pleasant drive many pilgrims even today take this path
by foot making a 11 km. trek to the temple. For the devotees, the
deity Venkateshwara symbolizes goodness, with his conch he creates
the cosmic sound that destroys ignorance. Venkateshwara is
considered to be the most powerful Hindu deity, he is believed to be
the fulfiller of every wish made to him by the devotees.
There
are never less then 5,000 pilgrims here at any time. In a single
day. The total number of pilgrims even goes upto 10,000 in a day.
The temple staff alone accounts to a number of 18,000. The
popularity of the temple can be judged by the annual income which is
around two billion rupees per annum. The devotees offer money,
precious articles etc. in the hundi or collection box placed at
various sites in the temple. Silver model of the feet or a silver
heat are also put in the hundi, these models are available outside
the temple. This entire sum is administered by a temple trust, who
plough this bulk of money back into hundreds of choultries and
charities such as schools, colleges, art academies, craft training
centers and in the homes of the poor and orphans.
It
is considered to be very auspicious to have your head shaven when
visiting the temple. People donate their hair to the deity, as an
act symbolic of renouncing the ego, this applies to men, women and
children alike.
The
temple is very large and has a huge courtyard. Te main shrine which
contains the image of Sri Venkateswara is a complex of structure. It
begins with the sanctum at the western end and ends with the
Tirumamanimandapam at the eastern end. The main temple is a
masterpiece of the Dravidian architecture. Its glittering gold
Vimanam, rising protectively over the sanctorum seems to be lit with
some inner fire touched glow. It is called as Ananda Vimanam. The
innermost enclosure ‘Vaikunda Pradakshinam’ is opened only once a
year. Splendid gold covered gates guard the entrance of the main
sanctum sanctorum.
The
‘Swayambhu’ or naturally formed two metres high idol of Sri
Venkateswara depicts the Lord’s standing image on a lotus. It has
four arms and on the chest are the images of Goddesses Lakshmi and
Padmavati. The majestic jet black idol is adorned by a mass of gold
and precious stones. Most striking is the fabulous crown which is
said to be the costliest single ornament ever made in the world. The
darshan of the deity is a heavenly experience. The aura created by
the magnificent jewellery adorning the deity, the powerful
vibrations of the prayers offered day in and day out is
overwhelming, every devotee coming out of the sanctum sanctorumhas
the feeling of being special.
The
prasad cooked in the temple kitchens is also of great value among
the devotees. The prasad is first offered to the deity before
distribution, it is not only of special significance to the pilgrims
but also a great delicacy. The pilgrims enjoy the bracing climate on
the hill. Comfortable and reasonably priced accommodation are
available, alongwith delicious South Indian food and
coffee.
The
Festivals: The
Brahmosavam festival is celebrated here in Sept./Oct. Sacred texts
are recited each day. Every morning and evening images of the
deities are taken in a colourful procession around the temple. The
chariot of Lord Brahma believed to be the instigator of the
festival, leas the procession. On account of Adika-masam which comes
in every third year.
A
second Brahmaotsava is held which is known as Navratri
Brahmaotsavam. These festivals attract thousands of pilgrims from
various parts of the
country. | 
