Tirupati Balaji Tour

Finally, we got an immense opportunity to visit Tirupati Balaji, we already had booked the ticket for Balaji three month prior to our visit, as it was a booking for special puja which is known as Kalyan Utsav it is very pious solemnisation, so after three months we got the confirmation from the temple that our turn has arrived. It was like we are in seventh heaven. I am glad and fortunate enough to recite the story related to this temple! Also, plan this trip in the month of October to March as this is the best month for the visit although April to May and September to December is the peak season. Also Maximum of three days are enough for the coverage of all the tourist places nearby.

Tirupati Balaji is located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh which is also known as Tirumala, Peak season for the visit is April to May and from September to December. It is 553 km from Hyderabad, Tirupati is one of the most ancient and Divine pilgrimage sites in India. Tirumala, the home of Lord Venkateswara is at a distance of 22 km from Tirupati. However, Tirupati is the town and transport hub to Tirumala at the bottom of the hill. The initial temple at Tirumala was built by the Tamil king Thondaimaan. The Pallavas of Kanchipuram in 9th century, Cholas of Tanjore in 10th century, Pandyas of Mathura in 14th Century and Vijayanagara Kings in 15th centuries, King Krishna Dev Rai of Vijayanagar empire regularly visited the temple and contributed largely to the temple. Now the temple is under the maintenance of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). This temple is spread in the area of 450 sq. km.

Apart from Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Varahaswami temple, Tiruchanur temple of Goddess Padmavati, Govindaraja temple, Srinivasa Mangapuram, Avanakshamma temple, ISKCON Lord Krishna Temple etc. are the important temples in Tirupati. Kapila Theertham, Parasurameswara Temple in Gudimallam, Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple, Chandragiri Fort, Kanipakam, Srikalahasti and Talakona Falls are the famous Tirupati tourist places.

Tirupati is also known for its fairs and festivals. The biggest festival though is Tirumala temple Brahmotsavam, the Vijayanagara Festival held at Chandragiri Fort and the Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival are some other attractions of the temple town. The Gangamma Jatra held for a week in May is another important festival here. It is held at the Tataiah Gunta Gangamma temple in Tirupati and is known for its bizarre rituals.

Tirupati Balaji Temple is situated on Venkata Hill which is a part of the famous Seshachalam Hills, Tirupati Temple is considered as one of the holiest temple of  Hindus. According to a legend, Lord Vishnu/Sri Hari assumed the form of Sri Venkateswara to save mankind from the adversities and sufferings of Kali Yuga.

The diety has emerged by itself that is syumbhu श्यम्भु (self manifested). Many ancient texts, including the Rig Veda mention the existence and prominence of the temple, even the texts written during mauryan and Gupta era also find the name of this temple. In fact, many other texts and theories link the history of Tirupati Temple to Lord Varaha, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. According to a legend, Lord Varaha created the entire Seshachalam Hills so that Adisesha (आदिसेश), the seven-headed snake on which Vishnu rests, could rest on earth. Interestingly, Seshachalam Hills has seven peaks, which are said to be the representation of the heads of Adisesha (आदिसेश).

Temple carries Dravidian style of architecture, the temple has three entrances, which lead to the shrine. The first entrance is called as Mahadwaram. A towering gateway (Gopuram), measuring 50 feet high, is placed right in front of the first entrance. The temple has two circumambulate paths. While the first path houses many pillared halls, flagstaffs and a dedicated area to distribute the offerings, the second path has many sub-shrines, main kitchen, main hundi and many other important monuments. Guest houses and various food counters have been recently constructed for the benefit of the pilgrims. A gold-plated tower inside the main shrine is called ‘Ananda Nilayam’ and is the most important part of the temple. The inner temple of ‘Ananda Nilayam’ houses the main deity and was constructed around the 12th Century A.D. It was later reconstructed throughout late the 1950s to 1960s. The temple also has a holy pond called Swami Pushkarni, located towards the northern side. Pushkarni, which covers a huge area of 1.5 acres, is one of the most sacred places of the temple. A legend has it that the pond was carried to the hills all the way from Vaikuntham (वैकुंठ) (Lord Vishnu’s abode) by Garuda (गरुड़). Saluva King Narasimha Raya constructed a pillared hall at the center of the pond in 1468.

There are shrines of many deities within the complex of the temple. One of them is the shrine of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Lord Krishna, along with his consort Rukmini, Vishvaksena, Sugriva and Angad. While Sugriva and Angad are eye-catching character from the Hindu epic Ramayana, Vishvaksena (विश्वक्सेना) is Lord Vishnu’s attendant who oversees the Lord’s wealth. Apart from these deities, there are five principal deities and they are mentioned below:

Tirumala Dhruva Bera – Dhruva Bera is the main deity and is considered a source of energy. The idol of Lord Venkateswara is fixed and is believed to be a Swayambhu स्वयंभू (self-manifested image). It is said that Lord Vishnu reincarnated on earth and assumed the form of Srinivasa (human form). During his stay on earth, he married princess Padmavati. When Goddess Lakshmi got to know about her husband’s second marriage, she went in search of him. When confronted by both Mahalakshmi and Padmavati, Lord Vishnu, who had assumed the form of Srinivasa, turns into stone.

Bhoga Srinivasa – This is a small silver idol of the Lord which is always placed near the left foot of the main deity. This idol was donated to the temple by Queen Samavai of the Pallava dynasty in 614 A.D. The idol is usually swayed (Swing) in a silver cradle and is made to sleep in a golden cot. Since the idol experiences all the worldly pleasures, it is called as Bhoga Srinivasa.

Ugra Srinivasa – The idol of Ugra Srinivasa is kept inside the sanctum and is cleansed everyday with holy water, milk, ghee, curd, etc. Originally, the idol was used in the processions, but was later replaced by Utsava Beram. It is said that whenever the idol of Ugra Srinivasa was taken out for processions, fire accidents would take place inevitably. Hence, this idol was considered as the fierce from of Lord Venkateswara.

Utsava Beram – When the devotees could no longer use the idol of Ugra Srinivasa for processions, they offered their prayers to the Lord, requesting him to suggest them an alternative. The Lord then appeared in one of his devotees’ dream and told him about another idol that can be used for processions. The devotees then found the idol of Utsava Beram in the hills of Seshachalam. The same idol is being used for processions.

Koluvu Srinivasa – Made from a combination of five metals, Koluvu Srinivasa is considered as the guardian deity who supervises all the activities, including the finances of the temple. The idol closely resembles Dhruva Bera and is also called Bali Beram.

I was really nostalgic while getting the entry in the premises of the temple, I am spellbound as I have no words for explaining that eternal feeling which I had while my visit, Govinda Govinda, just chanting this name is enough to lift up your spirit which will put us to the state of extreame joy and salvation, and throw away all your so called griefs. This was all about Tirupati Balaji, Hari Bol, Jai Govinda!🙏🙂