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Devotees swarm the
small town of Tirupati to visit the temple of Sri
Venkateswara or Tirupati Tirumala Balaji. Most of
our ancient texts declare that one can attain moksha
in Kaliyuga only by worshipping Lord Sri
Venkateswara. Infact, the temple has many informal
records attached to it.
The temple is regarded to be the richest in the
world. It is further predicted that the number of
devotees coming to Tirupati is the highest in the
world and even surpasses Rome and Mecca.
Accommodation and connectivity
Tirupati airport is at a distance of 14 kms from the
town. Direct flights are available from Hyderabad
and Chennai to the temple town. Direct trains are
also available from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore
and a few other places. Road connectivity to the
town is also very good.
Accommodation
facilities in Warangal are very good. Apart from
private hotels, the state tourism department also
runs a few good hotels.
Accommodation of all types are available in Tirupati.
Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple
History
The popular belief is that the sacred temple exists
from ancient period. There is mention of Sri
Venkateswara in most of the ancient texts. All the
great dynasties of southern India have habitually
paid obeisance at the temple and contributed much
for beautification of the temple. It includes the
Pallavas of Kancheepuram, Cholas of Thanjavur,
Pandyas of Madurai and the chieftains of Vijayanagar.
The Vijayanagar rulers had a few more statues
installed in the temple.
The Deity
Lord Venkateshwara, the deity at the temple is
prominently mentioned in several Puranas. According
to the Varaha Purana, Lord Vishnu in the form of
Venkateshwara came to reside on the southern bank of
the Swami Pushkarini.
Architecture
The main gate or Padi Kavali Maha Dwara has a
quadrangular base. There are figures of Hanuman,
Kevale Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha on the Dwara.
The main temple has three prakarams or the path for
circumnavigating the temple. There are many
mandapams in the prakarama area. The Ranga mandapam
built according to Vijayanagar style of architecture
is the most beautiful. Adjoining it is
Dhvajasthambha Mandapam which is a spacious complex
of pavilions. Tirumala Raya Mandapam has a complex
set of pillars. It is interesting to note that the
central pillar is surrounded by many pillars of
smaller sizes. When the smaller pillars are hit with
stones, musical sounds are emitted. The Aina Mahal
is to the north of Tirumala Raya Mandapam. There is
a special seat or unjan where the Lord is seated
before conducting worship services.
Daily services
The daily services start with 'Suprabhatam' at three
in the morning. It means awakening of the Lord. 'Ekanta
Sevam' is held at one in the night. Itmeans putting
the Lord to sleep. Apart from the daily services,
weekly and periodical services are also held.
Donations are accepted in the "Hundi" or
iron box only.
Festivals
The sheer number of devotees itself give the
impression that each day in Tirupati is a day of
festivals. The most famous festival, however is 'Brahmotsavam',
which is celebrated in a very big way for nine days
in September. The fifth and ninth days of the
festival are most significant as Garudostavam and
Rathotavam take place on these days. Be it the
desire to attain moksha in Kaliyuga or to seek
blessings of the Lord to attain happiness in life,
the Tirupati Tirumala Balaji temple is thronged by
devotees all throughout the year thereby making the
sacred temple one of the most visiting place of
worship.
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