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.