Tirupati

TIRUPATI– ANDHRA PRADESH TRAVEL GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The name ‘Tirupati’ means the “Lord of Lakshmi,” and should have been applied to the village on the Venkat hill, the dwelling of Lord Venkateswara. However, Tirupati is the town and transport hub at the bottom of the hill. The hill near the temple is called ‘Tirumala’ or the “sacred hill.” The temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca in the number of pilgrims visiting it.

History

All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijaynagar (14th-15th century AD) were devotees of this shrine.

It was during the rule of the Vijaynagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald that is still preserved in a box named after the general. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.

In AD 1843, the administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number of estates were entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, until AD 1933.

In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, which empowered the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Committee to control and administer a fixed group of temples in the Tirumala-Tirupati area, through a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras. In 1951, the Act of 1933 was replaced by an enactment whereby the administration of TTD was entrusted to a Board of Trustees, and the Government appointed an Executive Officer.

How to Reach :

1.By Road :

We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.

2.By Train :

Direct railway services are available from Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore.

3.By Air:

It is possible to visit Tirupati for a daylong trip from Chennai. There are direct flights from Hyderabad and Chennai.

Best Time to Visit :

Home to one of the most popular temples of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati Balaji, Tirupati can be visited all-round the year. Temperatures between the months of March to September may go up to 42°C at certain times but the devotees visit the temple all year round. Due to heat, the tourist crowd is less and one might plan a trip. Especially the September month bustles with a lot of activity because the place becomes the venue of the Brahmotsavam, one of the biggest festivities of the region. The weather between the winter months of October to March is ideal for a temple tour of Tirupati. June, July and September are monsoon months, bring cool rains and bringing down the temperatures.

Places to Visit :

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala of the Tirupati Hills, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. Lord Venkateswara is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. The benefits acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. Here, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala. The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism. The sanctum sanctorum, which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills, is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.

Sri Varahaswami Temple in Tirumala is to the north of the Sri Venkateswara temple, on the banks of Swami Pushkarini. According to legend, Tirumala was originally the Adi Varaha Kshetra or the place belonging to Sri Adi Varahaswami. Lord Sri Venkateswara took up residence here, with the permission of Sri Varahaswami. According to Brahma Purana, naivedyam (food offered to God) should first be offered to Sri Varahaswami. Pilgrims should visit Sri Varahaswami temple before Sri Venkateswara temple. The idol of Sri Varahaswami in Tirumala is that of Adi Varaha.

Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple is located opposite the Sri Varahaswami temple on the northeastern banks of the Swami Pushkarini. It was constructed during the Mahant’s period. The idol’s hands are joined in supplication (in the Anjali posture). Sri Anjaneyaswami is believed to be a bestower of boons and a protector from all evils.

Swami Pushkarini, believed to be a pleasure tank of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntham, is adjacent to the Sri Venkateswara temple. A bath in the Swami Pushkarini is believed to cleanse pilgrims of their sins and bestow temporal prosperity. Pilgrims bathe here before entering the main temple. Other teerthams include Akasaganga Teertham, Papavinasanam Teertham, Pandava Teertham, Kumaradhara Teertham, Tumbhuru Teertham, Ramakrishna Teertham, Chakra Teertham, Vaikuntha Teertham, Sesha Teertham, Sitamma Teertham, Pasupu Teertham, Japali Teertham, and Sanaka Sanandana Teertham.

Sri Govindarajaswami Temple is an important temple in Tirupati. It has an imposing gopuram that can be seen from a distance. Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated the temple in AD 1130. The sub-temples in its premises include Sri Parthasarathiswami Temple, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Sri Andal Temple, Sri Salai Nachiyar Ammavari Temple, Sri Ramanuja Temple, Sri Vyasaraya Anjaneyaswami Temple, Sri Tirumangai Alwar Temple, Sri Kurath Alwar Temple, Sri Madhurakavi Alwar Temple, Sri Chakrathalwar Temple, Sri Mudal Alwar Temple, Sri Manavala Mahamuni Temple, Sri Vedantha Desikar Temple and many others.

Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple is situated in the heart of Tirupati town. The presiding deities are Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. A Chola king built this temple during the tenth century AD. The temple of Anjaneyaswami, which is directly opposite, is a sub-shrine of this temple. According to legend, this temple commemorates the visit of Sri Rama to Tirupati.

Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple is the only temple dedicated to Lord Siva, in the pantheon of Vaishnava temples in Tirupati. It is situated about 3 km to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of the Tirumala Hills. The sacred waterfall called Kapila Teertham or Alwar Teertham is located here.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami Temple is located in Appalayagunta, 14 km from Tirupati. Legend has it that Sri Venkateswaraswami, after marrying Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru, blessed Sri Siddeswara and other sages here.

The temple constructed by the Rajas of Karvetinagar consists of a shrine for Anjaneyaswami. Devotees, for relief from chronic diseases, worship the imposing image of the wind-god. There are also idols of Goddess Padmavathi and Sri Andal here.

Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple is located in Tallapaka village at a distance of 100 km from Tirupati, which is the birthplace of Sri Annamacharya, the Sankeertana Acharyulu. The temple was constructed and administered by the Matti Rajas about 1,000 years ago. The sub-temples here are Sri Kamakshi Sameta Temple, Sri Siddeswaraswami Temple, and Sri Gopalaswami Sameta Chakrathalwar Temple.

Sri Kariya Manikyaswami Temple or Sri Perumala Swami Temple is located in Nagiri, 51 km from Tirupati. It is believed that Lord Vishnu killed Makara, a crocodile, and saved Gajendra, an elephant at this place.

Sri Annapurna Sameta Kasi Visweswaraswami Temple is located in the Bugga Agraharam village, 56 km from Tirupati. The temple is on the banks of Kusasthali River.