The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, also known as Tirumala Temple or Tirupati Balaji Temple, is situated in the hills of Tirumala at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. Dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, it is believed to be a sacred site in Hinduism where the deity appeared to save mankind from the trials of Kali Yuga. Managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple is renowned for its association with wealth and receives millions of devotees annually. The temple's architecture reflects South Indian traditions, with the presiding deity enshrined in the Garbhagruha. Legends abound regarding the deity's manifestation in Tirumala, and the temple's assets, including land, cash, and gold offerings, are estimated to be substantial, making it one of the wealthiest religious institutions globally. With its significant cultural and spiritual importance, the temple attracts devotees from all over the world, especially during annual festivals and holidays.

Temple legend:

During different ages of Hindu mythology, various legends surround the Tirumala Temple and its deity, Venkateswara. In Dvapara Yuga, it is believed that Adishesha resided on earth as the Seshachalam Hills, now known as Tirumala, after a contest with Vayu. Another legend states that during Kali Yuga, sage Bhrigu tested the Trimurtis and, feeling slighted by Vishnu, kicked him in the chest. Vishnu, in human form as Srinivasa came to Tirumala and eventually married Padmavati. However, when Goddess Lakshmi discovered this, a quarrel ensued, leading Srinivasa to turn into stone, along with Lakshmi and Padmavati, expressing their desire to remain there for the emancipation of mankind. These legends form the basis of the temple's significance and worship practices.

History of the temple:

Mention in Silappathikaram:

The epic Silappathikaram, commonly dated to the 2nd century CE, mentions the Tirumala Temple in a dialogue between Kovalan and a Brahmin. The Brahmin expresses his desire to witness the glory of Vishnu, who reclines with Lakshmi on his breast in the temple on an island protruding into the widening waves of the Kaveri River, referencing Srirangam. Additionally, he expresses his wish to see the beauty of the Lord at Tirumala, described as holding a discus and conch in his lotus hands, adorned with garlands and situated atop the lofty hill of Venkatam. This poetic description illustrates the reverence and admiration for the deity worshipped at Tirumala during ancient times.

Medieval history:

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple has a rich history of patronage and endowments dating back to ancient times. The first recorded endowment was made by Pallava queen Samavai in 966 CE, who donated jewels and parcels of land for the temple's festivals. Subsequently, dynasties like the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara Empire contributed significantly to the temple's wealth and size. Vijayanagara Emperor Krishnadevaraya, in particular, was a generous donor, even installing his statue in the temple in 1517.

Following the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, rulers from various states continued to support the temple as pilgrims. Notably, the Maratha general Raghoji I Bhonsle established a permanent administration for worship and donated valuable jewels. Additionally, during turbulent times, idols from the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam were temporarily relocated to the Venkateswara Temple for safekeeping, indicating the temple's importance and reputation for safeguarding sacred artifacts.

Ramanujacharya's visits:

During the 11th and 12th centuries, Ramanujacharya, a revered philosopher, made three visits to Tirupati. He spent time learning spiritual insights during his first visit and resolved a dispute between religious sects on his second. On his final visit at 102 years old, he installed the image of Govindaraja and laid the foundations of modern Tirupati. Ramanujacharya also reformed temple rituals, introduced sacred recitations, and established the Tirupati Jeeyar Mutt to oversee temple practices, a tradition that continues to this day.

Modern history:

After the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple passed through various hands, including Golconda, the French, and the Nawab of Carnatic, until it came under the control of the British East India Company in the early 19th century. The British accorded special status to the temple and avoided direct interference in its activities. In 1817, Regulation Seven was passed, transferring the temple's administration to the Board of Revenue through the collector of the North Arcot District.

In 1843, the East India Company transferred the administration of the temple to the Mahants of Hathiramji Muth, who managed it for six generations until 1933. That year, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was established under the TTD Act. Subsequently, the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act of 1951 and the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act of 1966 affected the temple's administration.

In 1979, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Act replaced the previous acts, vesting the administration of the temple in a committee consisting of an executive officer, chairman, and two other members nominated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Today, the temple is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), under the control of the Andhra Pradesh Government, with revenue generated used by the state.

The temple boasts a rich historical record, with 640 inscriptions in various languages such as Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu. Additionally, it houses a unique collection of approximately 3,000 copper plates inscribed with the Telugu Sankirtanas of Tallapaka Annamacharya and his descendants, serving as valuable historical and musical resources.

Temple administration:

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is a trust board responsible for overseeing and managing the operations of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Initially comprised of five trustees in 1951, the board has expanded to eighteen members as of 2015 through the adoption of Acts. The daily operation and management of the TTD are entrusted to an executive officer appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The temple is a major pilgrimage destination, attracting around 75,000 devotees daily. With an annual budget of approximately ₹25,301 million for the financial year 2015–16, the TTD operates charitable trusts funded by its budget and donations from devotees. In 2008, the annual income was estimated at ₹10,000 million, primarily sourced from donations made to the SriVari Hundi. These donations, which amount to millions of rupees, contribute significantly to the temple's welfare initiatives managed by the TTD.

Architecture:

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple features three entrances, known as dvarams, leading to the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) from outside. The Mahadvaram, or padikavali, is the first entrance, adorned with a towering five-storied Gopuram constructed over the Mahaprakaram (outer compound wall). The Vendivakili, or Nadimipadikavali, serves as the second entrance, with a three-storied Gopuram over the Sampangi Prakaram (inner compound wall). Finally, the Bangaruvakili, or golden entrance, leads to the garbhagriha, flanked by copper images of the dvarapalakas Jaya-Vijaya and embellished with a thick wooden door covered in gold gilt plates depicting the Dashavatara of Vishnu.

The temple features two paths for circumambulation, known as pradakshinams. The first path, Sampangipradakshinam, lies between the Mahaprakaram and the sampangiprakaram and includes various Mandapas, a dvajasthambam, a Bali Pitha, and a prasadam distribution area. The Vimanapradakshinam, the second path, encircles the Ananda Nilayam Vimanam, housing sub-shrines, a main kitchen, a golden well, and other facilities.

The garbhagriha houses the presiding deity Venkateswara, depicted in a standing posture with four hands holding symbolic items. The deity is adorned with precious ornaments and accompanied by goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavati. Pilgrims are restricted from entering the garbhagriha beyond a certain point.

The Ananda Nilayam Vimanam, constructed over the garbhagriha, is a three-storied Gopuram adorned with depictions of deities and a deity of Venkateswara known as Vimana Venkateswara, believed to be a replica of the deity inside the garbhagriha.

Deities in the temple:

Pancha berams: According to the Vaikhanasa Agamas, the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple houses five deities, collectively referred to as Pancha beramulu. These include:

1. Moolavirat or Dhruva Beram: The central deity, depicted in a standing posture with four arms, holding symbols like the Shanka and Chakra. Adorned with various Vaishnavite ornaments, this deity is considered the primary source of energy for the temple, with his consort Lakshmi residing on his chest as Vyuha Lakshmi.

2. Bhoga Srinivasa or Kautuka Beram: A small silver deity gifted to the temple in 614 AD, located near the left foot of the Moolavirat. This deity receives daily sevas on behalf of the main deity and is known as Bhoga Srinivasa due to the pleasures it receives.

3. Ugra Srinivasa or Snapana Beram: Representing the fearsome aspect of Venkateswara, this deity remains inside the sanctum sanctorum and is brought out for procession once a year. It receives daily abhishekam on behalf of the Moolavirat.

4. Malayappa Swami or Utsava Beram: The processional deity of the temple, always accompanied by the deities of his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. This deity participates in all temple festivals and processions.

5. Koluvu Srinivasa or Bali Beram: This deity serves as the guardian of the temple's financial affairs. Daily Koluvu seva is conducted, during which the temple's financial transactions and daily Panchanga sravanam are notified to the deity.

Other Deities:

In addition to the Pancha berams, the garbha griha of the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple also accommodates the panchaloha (five-metal alloy) deities of Sita, Rama, Lakshmana, Rukmini, Krishna, and Chakratalvar. The temple further houses various deities in their respective sub-shrines, including Garuda (Vishnu's vehicle), Narasimha, Varadaraja, Kubera, and Hanuman.

Other notable deities within the temple premises include Shesha (Vishnu's serpent), Viswaksena, Sugriva, and Ramanuja. Vimana Venkateswara, situated on the second tier of the Ananda Nilayam Vimanam's northwest corner, is a replica icon of Venkateswara carved within the temple.

Worship

Puja:

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple follows the Vaikhanasa Agama tradition of worship, attributed to Sage Vikhanasa and his disciples. This tradition primarily worships Vishnu as the Supreme God and recommends worship six times a day, with at least one puja being mandatory. Daily rituals include Suprabhata Seva, Thomala Seva, Archana, Kalyanotsavam, Dolotsavam, Arjita Brahmotsavam, and Sahasra Dipalankarana Seva. Weekly rituals include Vishesha Pooja, Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana, Sahasra Kalasabhishekam, and Tiruppavada Seva. Periodical rituals consist of Jyesthabhishekam, Aaniwara Asthanam, Pavithrotsavam, and Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam.

Naivedhyam:

The Tirumala Temple offers Tirupati Laddu as prasadam, which holds a Geographical Indication tag exclusively for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Other prasadams include Anna-prasadams like chakerapongal, Pulihora, miryala pongal, kadambham, and daddojanam, as well as Panyarams such as laddu, vada, dosa, appam, jilebi, muruku, poli, and payasam. Free meals are provided daily to pilgrims, with special offerings like the Tiruppavada seva conducted on Thursdays, featuring a large quantity of pulihora offered to Venkateswara.

Darshan:

To manage the overwhelming number of devotees visiting the temple, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has implemented various measures:

1. Vaikuntam Queue Complexes: Two Vaikuntam Queue Complexes were constructed in 1983 and 2000 respectively. These complexes provide waiting areas for devotees before their turn for darshan. They offer seating arrangements and facilities to ensure comfort during the wait.

2. Separate Queue for Pedestrian Pilgrims: Recently, a separate queue has been introduced for pedestrian pilgrims. Limited biometric tokens are issued for access to this special queue on a first-come, first-served basis. Pilgrims can worship Venkateswara at the allotted time slots indicated in the token. Two entry points, Alipiri Mettu and Srivari Mettu, cater to foot-path pilgrims.

3. Darshan Types: Various darshan options have been established to facilitate an orderly flow of pilgrims:

   - Sarva Darshan (Free Darshan): This is the general queue available to all devotees free of charge. It is the most common and popular type of darshan, but waiting times can be long, sometimes requiring devotees to stand in line for several hours or even overnight.

   - Special Entry Darshan (Seeghra Darshan): Introduced as a paid darshan option to reduce waiting times, devotees can purchase tickets for a quicker darshan experience compared to the free darshan queue. Tickets can be booked online or at designated TTD counters.

 

Additionally, the temple has garnered attention beyond its religious significance, with even endeavors like the Chandrayan-3 mission receiving blessings from Venkateshwara. ISRO scientists visited the temple with a miniature model of Chandrayan-3 to seek the lord's blessings before the successful launch on July 14.

Hair Tonsuring:

Hair tonsuring, known as "Mokku," is a common practice among devotees as an offering to the deity Venkateswara. Legend has it that Neela Devi, a Gandharva princess, noticed a small portion of Venkateswara's scalp becoming bald after he was hit by a cowherd. She sacrificed a portion of her hair and magically implanted it on his scalp. In gratitude, Venkateswara promised that devotees who visit his abode would offer their hair to him, and Neela Devi would receive it. This practice results in over a ton of hair being collected daily, which is then sold internationally by the temple, generating substantial revenue.

Hundi (Donation Pot):

According to legend, Venkateswara sought a loan from Kubera for his marriage with Padmavathi. To repay this loan, devotees donate money in the temple's donation pot, known as the Hundi. The daily collections from the Hundi can reach as high as ₹22.5 million. This act of donation is seen as a way for devotees to contribute to the temple's financial well-being and participate in Venkateswara's divine plan.

Thulabaram:

The Thulabaram ritual involves a devotee sitting on one side of a weighing balance while the other side is filled with materials greater in weight. Devotees typically offer items such as sugar, jaggery, tulsi leaves, bananas, gold, or coins. This ritual is often performed with newborn babies or children and symbolizes the devotee's desire to offer their possessions and merits to the deity.

Festivals:

The Tirumala Temple celebrates numerous festivals throughout the year, each with its significance and rituals. Among these, the Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams stand out as a nine-day event celebrated in October. During this festival, processions of the deities are taken out on various vahanams (vehicles) around the temple, attracting millions of devotees. Vaikunta Ekadasi is another significant festival where devotees flood the temple to have darshan of Venkateswara through a special entrance called "Vaikunta Dwaram." Rathasapthami, celebrated in February, involves processions of Venkateswara's processional deity on seven different vahanams around the temple.

Sub-shrines and Notable Devotees:

The temple complex houses several sub-shrines dedicated to various deities like Varadaraja, Yoga Narasimha, Garuda, and Bhuvaraha Swamy. Additionally, the temple honors notable devotees such as Ramanuja and Tallapaka Annamacharya, who have made significant contributions to the temple's worship and cultural heritage.

The Tirumala Tirupati temple, nestled in the serene town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, holds within its sacred grounds numerous mysteries and secrets, shrouded in the aura of divine mystique:

1. Closed Eyes of Lord Venkateswara: The depiction of Lord Venkateshwara in the temple features eyes covered with a white mask. This covering, adjusted weekly, is believed to mitigate the intensity of the deity's gaze, allowing devotees a glimpse without overwhelming them.

2. Off-Center Placement of the Balaji Idol: Despite the apparent symmetry of the temple's layout, the primary idol of Lord Tirupati Balaji is positioned slightly off-center within the sanctum sanctorum. This deviation from the expected alignment adds to the mystique surrounding the temple's design.

3. Origin of Donated Flowers: Floral offerings presented to the deity originate from a nearby village, the specifics of which are known only to its residents. After their use in worship, these flowers are disposed of behind the deity's statue, where they are carried away by a nearby waterfall.

4. Real Hair of Balaji: Legend has it that the silky hair adorning the idol of Lord Balaji was gifted by a Gandharva princess named Neela Devi. This tradition inspires many devotees to offer their hair as a symbol of devotion.

5. Secret Village: A secluded village, approximately 20 kilometers away from the temple, is believed to be the source of certain offerings like flowers and milk. The identity of this village and its residents remains a mystery to outsiders.

6. Eternal Lamps: Clay lamps placed in front of the deity perpetually burn as a symbol of unwavering devotion. The origins of these lamps and the mechanism behind their continuous burning remain unexplained.

7. Sound of Sea Waves: Rumors suggest that the sound of sea waves can be faintly heard from the wall behind the Balaji deity in the sanctum sanctorum, enhancing the temple's atmosphere with an element of mystery and awe.

8. Moisture on Balaji's Back: Despite efforts to address it, the back of the Balaji idol is consistently moist, defying explanation and adding to the intrigue surrounding the deity.

9. Viraja River: Legend holds that the foot of Lord Balaji rests in a sacred river known as Viraja. This river is believed to provide water for a well within the temple premises, known as the "Bommala Bavi" or the "well of idols."

10. Effect of Camphor on the Idol: Despite being exposed to camphor regularly during worship, the stone idol of Balaji shows no signs of wear or damage. This phenomenon puzzles observers, as it contradicts the expected effects of such exposure on stone surfaces.

Overall, the Tirumala Temple is not only a place of worship but also a center of rich traditions, rituals, and festivals that attract millions of devotees from around the world.

In the hallowed precincts of the Venkateshwara Temple, amidst the chanting of hymns and the fragrance of incense, pilgrims find refuge from the chaos of the world, connecting with something greater than themselves. For in the divine splendor of Lord Venkateshwara, they find not only solace but also the eternal promise of grace and salvation.