Vishnu in the form of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala Venkateshwara (Sanskrit & Telugu), also known as Venkatachalapathy or Srinivasa or Balaji, is the supreme God believed to be a form of the Hindu Deity Lord Vishnu. He appeared in this Yuga Kali Yuga for saving the people who have fallen deeply and are deluded in three modes of material nature. The popularity of ‘Tirumala’ or ‘Tiruvengadam’ needs no elaboration. The sacred seven hills have been referred to across time periods and literary eras. From classical texts to modern literature, the word ‘Tirumala’ has found a mention several hundreds of times. ‘Tholkapppiyam’, belonging to the early common era, is considered the earliest Tamil work to mention Tirumala. Tirumala is described in the line mentioning the area where Tamil is spoken. The line ‘Vadavengadam Thenkumari Yayidaitthamizhkoorunallagam’ is considered the oldest reference to Tirumala, which means “Tamil language is spoken in the land lying between the northern Vengadam (Tirumala) and the southern Kumari (the present day ‘Kanyakumari’).
Lord Venkateshwara means supreme God who destroys the sins of the people in this material world 'ven+kata+eshwara=sins+destroyer+supremegod'). He is Vishnu, who is transcendental to the material energy, Vishnu does not have direct contact with material people, and therefore yogis carry out severe penances to have a vision of Vishnu's lotus feet. How ever, in the kali yuga people have fallen to the point that they have even lost themselves due to ignorance in bodily consciousness. Lord Vishnu out of love towards his devotees therefore incarnated as Venkateshwara. Similarly, ‘Silappathikaram’ is a classical epic which discusses Tirumala, rather, more elaborately for the first time. It belongs to the classical era of Tamil literature dating to a period between the 2nd and 8th century. The line ‘Vengada menu monguyar malai’ means ‘The tall hill ranges called Vengadam’. Lord Vishnu is mentioned as ‘Nediyon’, which roughly translates to ‘standing tall’. Thus, ‘Silappathikaram’ not only clearly refers to Lord Venkateswara found in standing posture in the sanctum sanctorum of Tirumala temple, but is also proof that it was considered as a sacred place even in those days. Tirumala gained wider popularity in the land spread far and wide after the advent of the Alwars and Acharyas. ‘Nalayira Divyaprabandham’, the holy text containing 4000 verses or ‘Pasurams’ (Tamil hymns) hailing the various Sri Vaishnavite deities and shrines, is considered a major yardstick to determine the sanctity of a temple/place. A place or shrine gains the official stamp called ‘Alwar Padal petra Sthalam’ (the place about which an Alwar has sung), if one of the Alwars set foot on that soil and composed Pasurams about the deity. In such a case, Tirumala’s sacredness is on a high pedestal, as ten of the twelve Alwars, visited this holy place and composed ‘Pasurams’ hailing the hills and Sri Venkateswara.
The exact period in which the temple was founded is not known, and tradition has it that the temple is Swayambhustala, meaning that it came into existence on its own without anyone constructing it. According to 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. Thondai mandalam is the region spread between the modern day Tirupati and Cuddalore. Poigai Alwar, Bhoothath Alwar and Pey Alwar are hailed as ‘Mudhal Alwars’ (the first three) and were born in this Thonda mandalam or ‘Thondai Nadu’, the kingdom close to Tirumala. Poigai Alwar wrote nine Pasurams on Tirumala in ‘Mudhal Tiruvandhadhi’, referring it as Vengadam. He called it one of the four great and divine places to be worshipped. He praised Vengadam as giving enlightenment even to the Gods and Lord Venkateswara as the Lord to even the Lord of four Vedas. Boothath Alwar dedicated ‘Pasurams’ to Tirumala in the ‘Irandaam Tiruvandhadhi’. He also uses the word ‘Vengadam’ extensively, which was the only name by which the hills were known then. According to him, Vengadam is the ultimate thing to be aimed at and there is nothing that can satiate one’s desires other than scaling the hill and having an eyeful glimpse of Lord Venkateswara. While the first two Alwars referred to the place only with the word ‘Vengadam’, Pey Alwar was the first to use the word ‘Tirumalai’ (holy hills) in two stanzas. He describes the Lord and the hill thus: ‘Thaazh sadai yumneel mudiyum on mazhuvum sakkaramum, Soozhara vumponnanumthon rumaal, Soozhum Thirandaruvipaayum Tirumalai melenthaikku, Iranduruvu monraaiisainthu’.
According to some evidence the history of the temple dates back almost 2,000 years. In ancient times, a queen called Samavai, belonging to the Pallava dynasty (614 AD), is said to have consecrated the first silver image here. The temple is also mentioned in 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 that originally there was only one shrine at Tirumala. When the Vaishnavite saint, Ramanuja, visited Andhra in the 12th century, the temple at tirupati was built. The Chola period saw the temple complex prosper and expand further. 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 benefactions 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 until 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 the Government of Madras. A Ryot Advisory Council was formed for the management of the estates of the TTD, and was assisted by a Religious Advisory Council with regard to religious matters.
Adi Sankaracharya came to Tirumala and placed Sri Chakra at the lotus feet of Lord Venkateshwara and sung the famous song "Bhaja Govindam". According to various verses from the Puranas and other text; Lord Venkateshwara is the supreme God or Vishnu, Narayana or Brahman of this Kali Yuga. Lord Venkateshwara has His holy abode in the Venkatam hills (the hills are more often referred to as ThiruVenkatam) near tirupati. Thus, the main temple of Lord Venkateshwara is the Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple. The Tirumala temple, where He is the presiding deity, is believed to be the richest of all the temples in the world. The temple is in southern India Andhra Pradesh in Chittoor district. The presence of seven hills influenced alternate names for the deity: Edukondalavadu in Telugu and as Ezhumalaiyan in Tamil both of which mean "Lord of the Seven Hills".
Kshetrams Par Excellence
Tirumazhisai Alwar comes next to the Mudhal Alwars as per chronology. He composed Tiruchanda virutham and Nanmugan Tiruvandhadhi and interestingly, both of them have references to Vengadam. In ‘Nanmugan Tiruvandhadhi’, he called Vengadam as the place worshipped by the celestial beings and the place that rids one of all sins and diseases. Tiruppanalwar has dedicated one Pasuram to Vengadam in his ‘Amalanadhipiran’. Interestingly, he has sung only about Tirumala and Srirangam, celebrating them as Kshetrams par excellence. Tirumangai Alwar, who has contributed the highest number of Pasurams among the twelve, has dedicated 64 of them to Tirumala. His Pasuram ‘Thayethanthai enrum’ shows how man is caught in worldly bondage in the form of attachment to father, mother, wife, children and relatives and fails to see the ultimate goal of reaching the divine. This hymn urges a devotee to look beyond the mundane and unshackle himself from the bondages to reach Vengadam. Kulasekhara Alwar, an emperor who quit his royal lifestyle to become a saint, called birth and life on Tirumala as a blissful experience and prayed for next rebirth on Tirumala hills, be it in the form of a bird, fish, animal, tree, stream or a rock. He appealed to the Lord to at least make him the step at the threshold in front of the sanctum sanctorum at Tirumala temple. The Lord granted his wish and that is why the step at the entry point of any Sri Vaishnavite Sannidhi is referred to as ‘Kulasekhara Padi’.
He is also known as Maal, ThiruMaal, Manivannan, Balaji (though this is a more recent name), Srinivasa, Venkatesha, Venkatanatha, Thiruvengadam Udaiyaan, Tiruvengadattaan and by many other names. He is also worshiped with the name Tirupati Thimmappa all over Karnataka by traditionally Shiva-worshipping communities. In Hinduism, Venkateshwara (also spelled as Venkateshwer or Venkatachalapathi) is a much-worshipped form of Vishnu. He is also known as Balaji or Lord Venkateshwara. He is also worshiped with the name Tirupati Thimmappa all over Karnataka by traditionally Shiva worshipping communities.
Vishnu, in the form of Venkateshwara, is much worshipped at Tirupati temple. Venkateshwara is the presiding deity at the Tirumala temple complex, believed to be the richest of all the Hindu shrines in the world. The temple is situated in southern Andhra Pradesh in Chittoor district. It is around 120 km away from Chennai. The presence of seven hills influenced alternate names for the deity: Edukondalavadu in Telugu and as Ezhumalaiyan in Tamil both of which mean Lord of the Seven Hills. In iconographic depictions, Lord Venkateswara's eys are covered, because it is said, that his gaze is so intense, it would scorch the universe
#ఓంనమోవేంకటేశాయ
తిరుమల వేంకటేశ్వరుని పూజావిశేషాలు:-
మన ఇల్లు మనమే సరిదిద్దుకోవాలి.మన సంస్కృతి మన మనమే గౌరవించుకోవాలి.మన ధర్మాన్ని మనమే కాపాడుకోవాలి.
#ధర్మోరక్షతిరక్షితః- ధర్మాన్ని కాపాడండి అదే మిమ్మల్ని కాపాడుతుంది.
💥వైఖానస ఆగమ సూత్రాలను అనుసరించి తిరుమలలో శ్రీవారికి రోజుకు ఆరుసార్లు పూజలు జరుగుతాయి. అవి: ప్రత్యూష, ప్రభాత, మధ్యాహ్న, అపరాహ్ణ, సాయంకాల, రాత్రి పూజలు. తెల్లవారుజామున జరిగే సుప్రభాత సేవ ప్రత్యూషపూజలకు నాంది.
#సుప్రభాతం:
💥నిత్యం స్వామివారికి జరిపించే ప్రప్రథమ సేవ ఇదే. నిత్యం తెల్లవారుజామున మూడు గంటలకు సుప్రభాత సేవ మొదలవుతుంది. అంతకు ముందే... ఆలయ అర్చకులు, జియ్యంగార్లు, ఏకాంగులు, శ్రీనివాసుడి అనుగ్రహం పొందిన యాదవ వంశీకుడు (సన్నిధిగొల్ల) దేవాలయం వద్దకు వస్తారు. నగారా మండపంలో గంట మోగుతుంది. మహాద్వారం గుండా సన్నిధి గొల్ల ముందు వెళుతుండగా అర్చకులు ఆలయంలోకి ప్రవేశిస్తారు. కుంచెకోలను, తాళంచెవులను ధ్వజస్తంభం దగ్గరున్న క్షేత్రపాలక శిలకు తాకించి ఆలయద్వారాలు తెరిచేందుకు క్షేత్రపాలకుడి అనుమతి తీసుకుంటారు. సుప్రభాతం చదివే అధ్యాపకులు, తాళ్లపాక అన్నమాచార్యుల వారి వంశీకుడు తంబురా పట్టుకుని మేలుకొలుపు పాడేందుకు సిద్ధంగా ఉంటారు. బంగారువాకిలి తలుపులు తెరిచిన సన్నిధిగొల్ల దివిటీతో ముందుగా లోపలికి వెళతాడు.
💥వెంటనే అర్చకులు కౌసల్యా సుప్రజారామ... అంటూ శ్రీ వేంకటేశ్వర సుప్రభాతం పఠిస్తారు. ఆ తర్వాత శ్రీ వేంకటేశ్వర స్తోత్రం, ప్రపత్తి, మంగళాశాసనం ఆలపిస్తారు. ఇదే సమయంలో తాళ్లపాక వంశీకుడు తంబురా మీటుతూ, గర్భాలయంలో కొలువై ఉన్న శ్రీవారిని మేల్కొలుపుతుంటాడు. అర్చక స్వాములు అంతర్ద్వారం తలుపులు తెరిచి గర్భగుడిలోకి వెళ్లి శ్రీవారి పాదాలకు నమస్కరించి నిద్రిస్తున్న స్వామివారిని మేల్కొలుపుతారు. పరిచారకులు స్వామివారి ముందు తెరను వేస్తారు. ప్రధాన అర్చకులు శ్రీవారికి నైవేద్యం పెట్టి, తాంబూలం సమర్పించి నవనీత హారతి ఇస్తారు. మంగళాశాసన పఠనం పూర్తవగానే తలుపులు తెరిచి మరోసారి స్వామివారికి కర్పూరహారతి ఇచ్చి భక్తులను లోనికి అనుమతి నిస్తారు. ఆ సమయంలో భక్తులకు లభించే దర్శనాన్ని విశ్వరూప దర్శనం అంటారు.
#శుద్ధి:
💥సుప్రభాత సేవ అనంతరం తెల్లవారుజామున మూడున్నర నుంచి మూడుగంటల నలభైఐదు నిమిషాలదాకా ఆలయ శుద్ధి జరుగుతుంది. శుద్ధిలో భాగంగా గత రాత్రి జరిగిన అలంకరణలు, పూలమాలలు అన్నిటినీ తొలగించి, వాటిని సంపంగి ప్రదక్షిణంలో ఉండే పూలబావిలో వేస్తారు.
#అర్చన:
💥శ్రీవారికి ప్రతిరోజూ తెల్లవారుజామున జరిగే ఆరాధన ఇది. దీనికోసం జియ్యంగారు యమునత్తురై (పూలగది) నుంచి పుష్పమాలలు, తులసిమాలలతో ఉన్న వెదురుగంపను తన తలపై పెట్టుకుని శ్రీవారి సన్నిధికి తెస్తారు. అర్చనకు ముందు పురుష సూక్తం పఠిస్తూ భోగ శ్రీనివాసమూర్తికి ఆవుపాలు, చందనం, పసుపునీళ్లు, గంధపునీటితో అర్చకులు అభిషేకం చేస్తారు. చివరగా పుష్పాంజలి. అనంతరం భోగ మూర్తి విగ్రహాన్ని తిరిగి జీవస్థానానికి చేరుస్తారు. ప్రోక్షణ చేసి మూలవిగ్రహానికీ భోగమూర్తికీ స్వర్ణసూత్రాన్ని కలుపుతారు. ఈ సూత్రం ద్వారానే ధృవబేరం నుంచి భోగశ్రీనివాసుడి విగ్రహానికి శక్తి ప్రసరిస్తుందని భక్తుల నమ్మిక. ఆ తరువాత మూలవిగ్రహానికి పుష్పన్యాసం చేసి, అలంకారాసనం సమర్పిస్తారు. అనంతరం నామధారణ. కర్పూరంతో శ్రీవారి నుదుటి మీద ఊర్థ్వపుండ్ర చిహ్నాన్ని దిద్దుతారు. యజ్ఞోపవీతాన్ని అలంకరిస్తారు. తరువాత శ్రీవారి సువర్ణపాదాలను (తిరువడి) స్నానపీఠంలో ఉంచి అభిషేకిస్తారు.
#తోమాలసేవ:
💥తమిళంలో 'తోడుత్తమాలై' అంటే దారంతో కట్టిన పూలమాల అని అర్థం. బహుశా ఈ మాటే కాలక్రమేణా మార్పులకు లోనై 'తోమాల'... తోమాలసేవ అయి ఉండవచ్చు. దీన్నే భగవతీ ఆరాధన అని కూడా అంటారు. ఈ సేవలో భాగంగా స్వామివారిని పూలమాలలతో అలంకరిస్తారు. వారంలో ఆరు రోజులు శుద్ధి అనంతరం ఈ సేవ జరిపిస్తారు. శుక్రవారం నాడు మాత్రం అభిషేకం జరిపించిన తరువాత తోమాలసేవ చేస్తారు.
#కొలువు:
💥తోమాలసేవ తర్వాత పదిహేను నిమిషాలపాటు తిరుమామణి మంటపంలో కొలువు శ్రీనివాసమూర్తి ఆధ్వర్యంలో దర్బార్ జరుగుతుంది. బలిబేరానికి రాజోచిత మర్యాదలు జరిపి ఆనాటి గ్రహసంచార క్రమాన్ని, ఆరోజు జరిపించబోయే ఉత్సవ విశేషాల గురించి విన్నవిస్తారు. ముందురోజు హుండీ ఆదాయం వివరాలను ఏయే నోట్లు ఎన్ని వచ్చిందీ, నాణాలు సహా (డినామినేషన్ ప్రకారం) మొత్తం విలువ తెలియజేస్తారు. అనంతరం నువ్వులు, బెల్లం కలిపి దంచిన పిండిని నైవేద్యంగా సమర్పిస్తారు.
#సహస్రనామార్చన:
💥ఉదయం 4.45 నుంచి 5.30 వరకు సహస్రనామార్చన జరుగుతుంది. బ్రహ్మాండ పురాణం లోని స్వామివారి వేయినామాలనూ స్తుతిస్తూ చేసే అర్చన ఇది. ఈ అర్చన పూర్తయ్యాక శ్రీవారి పాదాల మీద ఉన్న పువ్వులు, తులసిదళాలతో శ్రీవారి దేవేరులకు పూజ చేస్తారు. ఈ సమయంలో మిరాశీదారు వరాహ పురాణం లోని లక్ష్మీసహస్రనామాలను పఠిస్తారు. తరువాత నక్షత్ర హారతి, కర్పూర హారతి ఇస్తారు.
#మొదటిగంట, #నైవేద్యం:
💥మేలుకొలుపులు, అభిషేకాలు, కొలువుకూటం అన్నీ అయిన తరువాత స్వామివారికది నైవేద్యసమయం. నైవేద్యసమర్పణకు ముందుగా శయనమంటపాన్ని శుభ్రం చేసి, బంగారు వాకిలి తలుపులు మూసేస్తారు. తిరుమామణి మంటపంలోని గంటలు మోగిస్తారు. అర్చకులు మాత్రం లోపల ఉండి స్వామివారికి పులిహోర, పొంగలి, దద్ధోజనం, చక్కెర పొంగలి (అన్నప్రసాదాలు), లడ్లు, వడలు, అప్పాలు, దోసెలు, పోళీలు (పిండివంటలు) కులశేఖరపడి (పడికావలి)కి ఇవతల ఉంచి సమర్పిస్తారు.
#అష్టోత్తర_శతనామార్చన:
💥ఈ అర్చనతో మధ్యాహ్నపూజలు ప్రారంభమవుతాయి. వరాహపురాణంలో ఉన్న శ్రీవారి నూట ఎనిమిది నామాలను పఠిస్తారు. అష్టోత్తర శతనామావళి పూర్తికాగానే శ్రీదేవి, భూదేవి మూర్తులకు లక్ష్మీనామార్చన జరుపుతారు.
#రెండో_గంట, #నైవేద్యం:
💥అష్టోత్తర శతనామార్చన అనంతరం ఆలయంలో రెండో గంట మోగుతుంది. పోటు నుంచి తెచ్చిన అన్నప్రసాదాలు, పిండివంటలు స్వామివారికి నైవేద్యంగా సమర్పిస్తారు. నివేదన తరువాత తాంబూలం, కర్పూరహారతి ఇస్తారు.
#రాత్రి_కైంకర్యాలు:
💥ఉదయం జరిగే తోమాలసేవ వంటిదే రాత్రిపూట కూడా జరుగుతుంది. అనంతరం హారతి, స్వామివారికి అష్టోత్తర శతనామార్చన, శ్రీదేవి, భూదేవి మూర్తులకు లక్ష్మీనామార్చన, నైవేద్య సమర్పణ అన్నీ జరుగుతాయి. ఈ సమయంలో మూడో గంట మోగుతుంది. దీని తర్వాత మళ్లీ సర్వదర్శనం.
#ఏకాంతసేవ:
💥రాత్రి ఒకటిన్నర సమయంలో జరిగే పవళింపు సేవనే ఏకాంతసేవ అంటారు. ముఖమంటపంలో రెండు వెండి గొలుసులతో కట్టిన ఊయలలో భోగశ్రీనివాసమూర్తిని శయనింపజేసి పాలు, పళ్లు, బాదంపప్పులు నైవేద్యంగా పెడతారు. రాత్రిపూట స్వామివారిని పూజించేందుకు వచ్చే బ్రహ్మదేవుని కోసం తగినంత నీటిని వెండిగిన్నెలలో ఉంచుతారు. ఏడుకొండల వాడిని నిదురపుచ్చేందుకు అన్నమయ్య కీర్తనలు ఆలపిస్తారు. దీన్ని తాళ్లపాక వారి లాలి అంటారు. (ఏకాంతసేవ ఏడాదిలో 11 నెలల పాటు భోగశ్రీనివాసుడికి జరిగితే ధనుర్మాసంలో మాత్రం శ్రీకృష్ణుడికి జరుగుతుంది.) దీంతో ఆరోజుకి నిత్యపూజలు అన్నీ జరిగినట్లే.
#గుడిమూసే_ప్రక్రియ:
💥రాత్రి రెండుగంటలకు గుడిమూసే ప్రక్రియ మొదలవుతుంది. ముందుగా మూడో ద్వారాన్ని, ఆ తర్వాత బంగారువాకిలిని మూసేసి లోపలి గడియలు బిగిస్తారు. అధికారులు బయటివైపు తాళాలు వేసి వాటిపై సీళ్లు వేస్తారు.
Legend of Tirumala
Sri Maha Vishnu rescued Earth which was taken over by Hiranyaksha to Patala Loka (underworld) in the form of Adi Varaha - a white boar with tusks. He fought a fierce duel with Hiranyaksa and killed him. He then slashed the water and brought up the Earth on his tusks. Brahma, the Devas and the sages extolled Adi Varaha's virtues, by chanting the Vedic mantras. They prayed to Him to re-establish the Earth as before. Adi Varaha obliged them, and called upon Brahma to recreate the world. He expressed his desire to reside on the Earth to protect its people. He commanded his vehicle, Garuda to fetch Kridachala (an extensive natural hill with lofty peaks, embedded with gold and precious stones, and which resembled Adisesha in shape) from Vaikuntam.
The truth and essence of all vedas : Perialwar, who is believed to belong to an era after Tirumangai Alwar, going by his writing style, has written about sixteen Vaishnavite shrines, Tirumala being one of them. He called the Lord of Vengadam as the truth and essence of all Vedas. Perialwar’s daughter Andal is the only woman among the Alwars. Her contribution to the Divya Prabandham is 173 Pasurams out of the 4000. She describes a cloud as ‘Vinneela Melapu’ (sky blue coloured upper cloth) and sends it as a messenger to the Lord of Tiruvengadam, which describes her affection for Lord Venkateswara. Nammalwar, whose contribution to the Nalayira Divyaprabandham is huge, has sung 54 Pasurams on Tirumala. It was his verse containing the line ‘Alarmel mangai uraimarbaa’ that is said to be the first reference to Tiruchanur temple, which was known earlier as Alamelu Mangapuram. He has accorded the highest reverence to Lord of Vengadam by hailing him as ‘Adhimoorthy’. Emergence of Literature on Tirumala : After the period of Alwars, the era of various dynasties that ruled the southern region saw the emergence of profound literature on Tirumala or Lord Venkateswara. Sri Krishna Devaraya, the emperor of Vijayanagara dynasty, wrote Amuktamalyada in 1516 AD, drawing inspiration from Andal’s act of garlanding herself before offering the same to the Lord. An ardent devotee of Sri Venkateswara, he even dedicated his work to the Lord of Seven Hills.
Dedicated to the Lord
Tallapaka Annamacharya is known to have written 32000 compositions on Tirumalanatha, apart from ‘Venkateswara Sathakam’. The vastness and depth of Annamacharya’s literature dedicated to Tirumala is immeasurable. The saint poet leaves one awestruck by not only the sheer number of compositions, but also in the variety exhibited in content. His works, at times, dwelt in a romantic style on the grandeur of Tirumala and the beauty of the Lord and at times, unravelling the deep philosophical values enshrining the purpose of life. In some compositions, he highlighted the Saranagati Tattva, intended to clasp His feet to attain liberation and in some, presumably written in the later part of his life, on the importance of practising renunciation and leading a contented life. Tarigonda Vengamamba, who lived in the late eighteenth century, wrote several Sathakams, Yakshaganam, Padya Kavyam and Dvipada Kavyam on the Lord. There are several compositions penned in the subsequent centuries on Tirumala and Lord Venkateswara that further added to their prominence, going by the adage ‘Venkatadri samamsthanam brahmande naasthikinchana, Venkatesa samodevo nabhootho nabhavishyathi’..!
Garuda brought Kridachala and deposited it on a sacred spot (to the East of Swami Pushkarini) chosen by Adi Varaha. Brahma and the other holy personages requested the fearsome-looking Adi Varaha to assume a tranquil and composed look, and rest on the hill to protect men and grant boons to people unable to reach God through Dhyana Yoga (meditation) and Karma Yoga (doing one's own duty). Adi Varaha appeared with four arms and a white face. He was adorned with jewels and accompanied by Bhu Devi. He resolved to stay at Venkatadri, under a divya vimana, to grant the prayers of men.
Legend of Seshachalam Hill :
The origins of the Tirumala Hills lies in a contest between vayu (wind god) and Adisesha (first serpant). During Dvapara Yuga, Vayu was barred from entering Vaikuntam as Lord Vishnu was in the company of his consort, Lakshmi. An incesed Vayu challenged adisesha for a fight to decide the stronger between them, Vayu was tasked with trying to blow off adisesha from the holy Meru mountain while adisesha was asked to protect the peak with his hood. After a long time, vayu gave way and adisesha lifted his hoods assuming that he won the contest when vayu blew off one of the peaks. The peak landed near swarnamukhi river and is currently known as seshachalam hill.
A variant to the legend is that the contest created pandemonium on earth and Brahma, Indra and other gods pleaded with adisesha to relent. When adisesha oblidged, the peak (Ananda hill) and adisesha were blown off Meru and landed near the banks of river Swarnamukhi. When Adisesha was dejected with his defeat, the Gods converted adisesha into the seven hills with the hood named as Seshadri hill or Seshachalam hill or Venkatadri hill. Another variant to the story is that sesha was fatigued by the contest and was instructed by Lord Venkateswara to rest on Earth in a place that he chose for his stay in Kali Yuga
Vishnu removes Bhrigu's 3rd eye
In the Kali Yuga, rishis performing yagna sought the advise of celestial sage Narada on which of the Trimurti should be selected for offering the fruits of the yagna. Narada suggested that the wise sage Bhrugu should be allowed to decide after he met the Trimurtis. The sage who had an extra eye in the sole of his foot visited Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva and went un-noticed in both these locations. He cursed Brahma that no temple sans one will worship Brahma and cursed Shiva that temples on Earth will worship him as Lingam.
When Bhrigu visited Lord Vishnu who was in a private meeting with his consort Goddess Lakshmi and failed to immediately receive and honour the sage, the sage felt humiliated and angry by this act. Sage Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu in the chest, to which Vishnu did not react and instead apologized to the Sage by massaging his feet. During this act, he squashed the extra eye that was present in the sole of Bhrugu's foot. The extra eye is believed to represent the sage's false egotism. The sage then realized his grave mistake and begged forgiveness from Lord Vishnu.
Vishnu's chest is significant as the abode of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess felt highly insulted at the sage's misdemeanor and Vishnu's silence at the act and left Vishnu heavenly abode (Vaikunta).
The Glory of ‘Venkatesa Mantra’
In Venkatachalamahatmyam which is an integral part of the Aditya Purana, the definition of ‘Venkatesa Mantra’ is given marvellously. In Garuda Purana, it is said that Lord Venkateswara is an embodiment of perfect knowledge and spiritual bliss. He is ‘Chit Swarupa’ and the Omnipotent. He is an inspiration to all the senses of a human being. He is the Lord of all living beings. He is capable of destroying the group of the wicked demons who have no knowledge. He is capable of annihilating the ‘arishadvargas’ like ‘kama’ and ‘krodha’ which are the great hindrances to spiritual bliss. It is said in the Venkatachalamahatyam which is an integral part of the Bhavishyottara Purana that ‘Vem’ means all sins. ‘Kata’ means the thing that can burn any entity. ‘Vemkatamu’ is ‘paapanasakamu.’ The ‘Mantra’ eradicated the sins of Balarama and King Bali. It killed the demon Vrushabhasura. In Kali Yuga, it is the ‘Siddha Mantra’ for the people. It brought immense wealth to the poor Brahmin, Kuchela. It is an easy ‘mantra’ that can create devotional concentration and protect people. It saved Lord Chandra from his sin of treachery done to his ‘guru.’ It blessed Lord Shanmukha. It protected the devotees like the king Gajendra. It is very pleasing and pleasant ‘Mantra’ which can destroy ‘rajoguna.’ It is an axe to the forest of wicked people. One who chants the ‘Venkatesa Mantra’ in accordance with ‘Pranavam’ would accomplish salvation. The ‘Mantra’ is a unique and life-protecting one. Describing the grandeur of Lord Venkateswara, Sri Vijayadasa has sung the auspicious song using the wonderful literary form of ‘Vyajanindastuti.’ He prays to the Lord: ‘O! Vijaya Vittala! Auspiciousness to You!’ He says that the Lord used to accept hand-pounded rice as ‘naivedyam’ placed in the brass vessels. He ironically says: ‘O! Lord!! You used to take the money of the devotees offered in the ‘hundi.’ He further feels: ‘After seeing Your grand ‘darshan,’ the devotees who come to visit You from very remote places with utmost devotion still want more and more time for their full satisfaction. You take away their gold and money and send them away from Your holy and scintillating spot early. You asked charity from King Bali previously. Though You are showing Your hand for taking money of the devotees, You drive away the trials and tribulations of the devotees who offer salutations by prostrating in front of You and bless them.’ The literature of Sri Vijayadasa based on ‘suladulu’ is profound and boundless. If one tries to analyze his ‘suladulu’ and ‘keerthanas’ one by one preaching devotion and knowledge and eulogizing Lord Tirumalesa, it will become a voluminous work automatically. Having the fear of its voluminous quality, Sri Vijayadasa begs pardon from Lord Srinivasa and His devotees for serving the flowers of letters of great writers in a humble way at the graceful and glorious feet of Lord Srinivasa like showing the hill in a mirror. May Lord Srinivasa shower His graceful blessings on His devotees who devoutly chant the divine ‘Mantra!’ .
Curse of chola king
Goddess Lakshmi on leaving the Vaikuntham comes to Varaha Shetra and does intense penance for 12 years. The Gods terrified with her intensity mollified her into returning to Vaikuntam with the site of her penance bearing Goddess Padmavathi (Alamelu mangai thaiyar) as a reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi during the rule of Akasa Raja.
Brahma and Shiva become Cow and Calf to serve Venkateswara
After the departure of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu left Vaikuntham and took his abode in an ant-hill on the Venkata Hill under a tamarind tree beside a Pushkarini. Lord Brahma and Shiva, taking pity on the condition of Vishnu, made up their mind to assume the forms of a cow and calf to serve him. Surya - Sun God informed Lakshmi of this and requested her to sell the cow and calf to the king of the Chola country assuming the form of a cowherdess.
The Chola king sent the cow and its calf to graze on the Venkata Hill along with his herd of cattle. Discovering Lord Vishnu in the ant-hill, the cow everyday emptied her under over the ant-hill and thus fed the Lord. Over a period ot time, the queen noticed that the cow did not yield any milk and chastised the cowherd severely. The cowherd investigating the cause, followed the cow and discovered the cow emptying her udder over the ant-hill. In his anger, the cowherd aimed a blow with his axe on the head of the cow but struck God who rose from the ant-hill to receive the blow and save the cow. On seeing Lord Vishnu bleeding, the cowherd fell down and died. On the death of the cowherd, the cow returned to the king with blood stains on her body, bellowing in the presence of the Chola King. An anxious king followed the cow to the scene of the incident. Near an ant-hill, the King found the cowherd lying dead on the ground.
While the King stood wondering how it had happened, the Lord rose from the ant-hill and cursed the king to become an Asura (Demon) for the fault of his servant. Entreated by the king who pleaded innocence, the Lord blessed him by saying that His curse would end when He was adorned with the Kireetam presented by Akasa Raja at the time of His marriage with Sri Padmavati. To atone the sins of raising the axe against the Lord, the cowherd's atma (spirit) received the boon that he and his descendants would have the pleasure of opening the door in the Lord's temple in due time.
Goddess Padmavati
In due time, the Chola king was re-born as Akasa Raja and though he ruled well, he had no children born to him. When he conducted yagna and was tilling the ground, he found a baby in a lotus flower and named her Alamelu mangai (Lady born in Lotus petals) and adopted her as his daughter. Lord Vishnu reincarnated as Srinivasa (or presented himself after penance in the ant-hill) as the son of elderly woman-saint Vakula. Vakula was Yasodha in her previous birth, Lord Krishna's stepmother and was unhappy in that life for not seeing his marriage. As per the boon received from Krishna, she was re-born as Vakula.
In course of time Princess Padmavati grew up into a beautiful maiden and was visited by Saint Narada. On reading her palm, he foretold that she was destined to be the spouse of Lord Vishnu himself. In due time, Lord Srinivasa on a hunting trip was chasing a wild elephant in the forest. The elephant led him into a garden where Princess Padmavati and her maids were present .The sight of the elephant frightened them and their Princess. When Lord Srinivasa appeared in front of the Elephant, it immediately turned round, saluted the Lord and disappeared into the forest. Lord Srinivasa noticed princess Padmavathi and enquired about her from her maids. Enthralled by her, Lord Srinivasa lost interest in other activities and confided in Vakula on his love for Padmavathi. He also revealed his identity as Lord Vishnu as well as told her about her past life as his stepmother Yasodha.
Marriage of Srinivasa & Padmavathi
Vakula devi leaves her hermitage to approach Akasa Raja with her proposal of marriage between Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi. In the mean time, the restless Lord came to the city in the disguise of a fortune-teller. Princess Padmavathi also fell in love with Lord Srinivasa and fell ill after returning to the Palace. Unable to diagonize her ill-health, the maids invited the fortune-teller into the palace to foretell the future of the princess. When the fortune-teller revealed that Padmavathi was born to marry Lord Vishnu in his current avatar as Lord Srinivasa, she recovered. As the king heard of this news, Vakula announced herself to the King and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage to her son, Lord Srinivasa. The overjoyed king agreed and his advisor Bhrispati wrote the invitation for the wedding between the two avatars.
Lord Srinivasa called for a conference of the Gods to win their consent for His marriage with Princess Padmavati. The Lord also obtained a heavy loan from Kubera, god of wealth in Hindu Mythology towards expenses for the wedding as well as provide proof of his wealth.
Lord Srinivasa turns into Lord Venkateswara :
In about 6 months after this celestial marriage, MahaLakshmi comes to know that her husband married again and comes to see him in disbelief. It is said that the Lord turns into Stone right when he is encountered by Mahalakshmi and Padmavathi. Lord Brahma and Shiva appear before the confused queens and explain the main purpose behind all this - The Lord's desire to be on the 7 hills for the emancipation of mankind from the perpetual troubles of Kali Yuga. Goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavathi also turn into stone idols expressing their wish to be with their Lord always. Lakshmi stays with Him on His Chest on the left side while Padmavathi rests on His Chest's right side.
Construction of Tirumala temple
Rangadasa Rangadasa: was a staunch devotee of Vishnu and in the course of his pilgrimage, joined Sage Vaikhanasa Gopinatha, who was going up the Tirumala Hill for the worship of the Lord. This was after the Lord had settled the Adivaraha region. After bathing in the Swami Pushkarini, Rangadasa viewed Lord Vishnu beneath a tamarind tree. However Lord Vishnu was exposed to the sun, wind and rain and was only protected by the extended wings of Garuda. Rangadasa raised a rough wall of stones around the deity, and started supplying flowers to Gopinatha everyday for Vishnu's worship. One day, Rangadasa was distracted by a Gandharva king and his ladies and forgot to supply flowers to Gopinatha for Vishnu's worship. The Lord then revealed Himself and told Rangadasa that he had not been steadfast and had succumbed to temptation. However in acceptance of Rangadasa's devoted service to Him till then, and blessed Rangadasa that he would be reborn as an affluent ruler of a province and would enjoy the earthly pleasures. He would continue to serve the Lord, construct a beautiful temple with a vimana and high surrounding walls, and thereby earn eternal glory.
Soon the site was forgotten and an ant-hill formed over the temple. This is reputed to be the same ant-hill in which Lord Srinivasa resided later after descending from Vaikuntam.
Thondaman: Rangadasa was reborn as Tondaman, the son of the royal couple, Suvira and Nandini. Tondaman enjoyed a pleasurable life as a young man. One day, he set out on a hunting expedition on the Tirumala Hill, and with the help of a cow-herd, saw Vishnu under the tamarind tree. Tondaman returned home, deeply affected by the vision of Vishnu. Tondaman later inherited his father's kingdom, Tondamandalam.
In accordance with the directions given by Adi Varaha to a forester, Tondaman constructed a prakaram and dvara gopura, and arranged for regular worship of the Lord (according to Vaikhanasa Agama). Lord Srinivasa appears in the dream of Thondaman and asks him to build a temple for Him where He turned into stone. So comes into being the temple for Srinivasa on the seventh hill, named Venkatadri (Venkata Hill).
The Tirumala temples nestles amidst the peaks of the seven hills of Tirumala. The temple can be approached from Tirupati by a 20 km road. It is a pleasant drive for people who admire the tropical greenery on these hills. Many pilgrims even today take a path by foot making an 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 and with his disc he destroys evil. 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 fewer then 50,000 pilgrims here at any time in a single day.
The total number of pilgrims even goes up to 700,000 in a day. The temple staff alone amounts to a number of 18,000. The popularity of the temple can be judged by the annual income which is around six billion rupees. Tirumala temple is the richest temple in the world after Vatican City.
Sthala Purana (literal meaning: the legend of the place) recounts the particular legend associated with ancient Hindu temples. Accordingly, the legend of Venkateshwara's Avatara (incarnation) is believed to be as follows: Sage Bhrugu, who according to Vedas is believed to have an extra eye in the sole of his foot, once visited Vishnu. At that time, Vishnu was in a private meeting with his consort, goddess Lakshmi, and failed to immediately receive and honour the sage. The sage felt humiliated and angry, and kicked Lord Vishnu in the chest. Vishnu did not react and remained silent.
Lord Vishnu's chest is believed to be the abode of Goddess Lakshmi. The Goddess felt highly insulted at the sage's misdemeanour and Lord Vishnu's silence at the act. She left Vaikunta, the heavenly abode of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu, in an attempt to pacify the sage, got hold of legs of the sage and started to press them gently in a way that was comforting to the sage. During this act, he squished the extra eye that was present in the sole of Bhrugu's foot. The extra eye is believed to represent the sage's egotism. The sage then realised his grave mistake and apologized to Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu had then incarnated Himself as Venkateshwara and came to earth in search of Lakshmi, who had taken birth as Princess Alamelu (Padmavati) in the household of Akasa Rajan. The princess's father agreed to give his daughter's hand in marriage to Venkateshwara if he provided proof of his wealth. Towards this end, Venkateshwara obtained a heavy loan from Kubera, a god (yaksha) who is considered, accordingly to Hindu mythology, as the treasurer of the virtuous wealth in the Universe. Princess Padmavati and Lord Venkateshwara were then wed. Lord Vishnu, in the form of Venkateshwara, and his consort are believed to have enshrined themselves at Tirumala Tirupati for the benefit of mankind. This phenomenon is called swayambhu loosely translated to mean "self-existent and established on earth of one's own accord, without any external cause".
Lord Venkateshwara's temple is at the top of the seven hills in the place called Tirumala. The temple of the Lakshmi, in the form of Princess Padmavati, is located at the foot of the seven hills at Tirupati, in a town called Tiruchanur. Another legend that goes by is that of a boy called Bala. This boy was a helper boy, who was one day wrongly accused as a thief. He ran for his life when he was chased by people. He was hit on the head by the mob and his head was bleeding profusely. He ran to the tirupati temple of Lord Vishnu and ran to the main door where GOD is placed. When the people entered the temple they couldn't find the boy but saw the head of God's idol bleeding.It was considered that the boy was sheltered and protected by God himself and the priests put cloth on the idol's head to stop the bleeding. So we see white covering on the God's idol and the presiding God is called BALAJI.
Tirupati is one of the most famous temple towns in India. It is the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, (one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu), located atop Tirumala hills. It is well connected with Chennai and Bangalore via road and rail. The temple town of tirupati is located to the extreme south of Andhra Pradesh in Chittoor district, 740 km 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 resides. The black idol of Balaji is covered in gold, jewellery and precious ornaments and is 2 metres high. tirupati is believed to be the richest temple in the country, with picturesque surroundings.
Some people also believe that the financial offerings and collections at this temple are second only to those of the Vatican City Church on a worldwide basis. The temple is also a fine example of Dravidian art and style. It is also a famous center for wood carving.
The Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated here in September and October. 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 initiator of the festival, leads the procession in the name of Adika-masam which comes in every third year. A second Brahmotsava is held, which is known as Navratri Brahmotsavam. These festivals attract thousands of pilgrims from various parts of the country.
Over millennia, many saints had visited the shrine and offered worship to Lord Venkateswara. Notable among them is Sri Ramanujacharya, who is believed to have installed chakra and conch on the deity after a dispute. The Venkateswara Suprabhatam, being the morning recital of prayers and songs of awakening, is believed to have been written and sung by one of Ramanuja's disciples who visited the temple with his Guru. Sri Vadiraja Thirtha, most prominent among the Madhva saints is believed to have climbed the tirumala hill on his knees and is said to have given a garland of shalagram (saligram) to the Lord.
Traditionally Kurubas build temples on top of the mountains and worshiped the Almighty. This famous temple must have lot of history. This worshiping Venkateswara as Vishnu may be most recent, as Vaishnava priests control the temple. There is Govindaraya Vishnu temple in the Tirupati town down below the hills with Vishnu in Yoga Nidra with Sridevi and Bhoodevi next to him.
Several composers composed beautiful keertanas about Lord Venkateshwara, most notable amongst them being Tyagaraja and Annamacharya. Annamacharya is a legendary devotee of Lord Venkateswara and composed songs almost exclusively about the deity.
TTD Logo
Motto says Srinivasa Vijayethe (Victory to Lord Srinivasa) Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams also referred as TTD is an independent trust which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. The trust not only oversees the operations and finances of the richest and the most visited religious center in the world, it is also involved in various social, religious, literary and educational activities within Andhra Pradesh and India. TTD employs about 14,000+ people to maintain the 12 temples and sub-shrines under its control along with the execution of its social activities.
TTD Facilities
TTD provides various services for pilgrims to Tirumala and Tirupati. It has arranged for buses between Tirumala and Tirupati with a frequency of every 2 minutes. Also, it has package tours to holy temples and religious sites from Tirumala and Tirupati to nearby places.
TTD has free and paid accommodation in Tirumala and Tirupati. It provides free meals, although donors can make a contribution. The canteen has a capacity to feed 20,000+ pilgrims a day. It has built the Vaikuntam Queue Complex and recently rolled out the queue management system to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims. It maintains the walkway between Tirupati and Tirumala (Alipiri route) and Kalyana Katta where pilgrims fulfill their vow of tonsure.
TTD ensures that the practices of Angapradakshinam, Tulabharam (offering of one's weight in coins or food item) and Niluvudopidi (offering ornaments to Lord) is carried in the temple.
It sells prasadams outside the temple on the north west corner. Laddu (small and big), Vada, rice varieties and dosa are sold. Also, Seva and darshan prasadam are distributed here.
It runs Information centers in the major towns and cities of Andhra Pradeshi and in major Indian cities including New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata. It has constructed 125 Kalyana mandapams (marriage halls) in major towns and cities of Andhra Pradesh. These are rented to people for Marriage or other major functions.
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