Saturday, 13 August 2011

Tirumala Balaji

Sri Venkateswara Swamy
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is a Hindu temple located in the hill town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is around 500 km from Hyderabad, 150 km from Chennai, and 250 km from Bangalore. 
It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha, thus earning the name Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. The temple is on Venkatadri (also known as Venkatachala or Venkata Hill), the seventh peak, and is also known as the "Temple of Seven Hills" (Saptagiri in Sanskrit). The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Venkateswara, a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. Venkateswara is known by other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. The temple complex comprises a traditional temple building, with a number of modern queue and pilgrim lodging sites. 

The seven hills, also called Saptagiri , represent the Saptarishi (seven sages). They sometimes called the Sapathagiri. Hence the Lord is named Saptagirinivasa. The following are the seven hills:
  • Vrushabadri  — Hill of Nandi, the vahana of Lord Shiva)
  • Anjanadri  — Hill of Lord Hanuman
  • Neeladri  — Hill of Neela Devi — It is believed that hair offered by the devotees is accepted by Neela Devi. It is because of boon granted by Lord Venkateswara to Neela Devi.
  • Garudadri  or Garudachalam — Hill of Garuda, the vahana of Lord Vishnu
  • Seshadri  or Seshachalam — Hill of Sesha, the dasa of Lord Vishnu
  • Naraynadri  — Hill of Narada Muni
  • Venkatadri  — Hill of Lord Venkateswara
Important Festivals
The town celebrates most Vaishnava festivals, including Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami, and Janmashtami with great splendor, while the Brahmotsavam celebrated every year during September is the most important festival in Tirumala. The temple receives millions of devotees over the short span of a week. Other major festivals include Vasanthotsavam (spring festival), conducted in March–April, and Rathasapthami (Magha Shuddha Saptami), celebrated in February, when Lord Venkateswara's deity is taken on procession around the temple chariots.

Nearby temples

Srikalahasti Temple is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva situated on the banks of the River Swarnamukhi.The renowned devotee of Lord Shiva, Kannappa, attained salvation here. This temple is 38 kilometres (24 mi) away from Tirupati, and is connected by frequent buses.
Srinivasa Mangapuram is situated 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Tirupati.This temple houses Lord Venkateswara, also known as Prasanna Venkateswara or Kalyana Venkateswara. Bus connections are available from Tirupati.
Sri Padmavati Devi Alayam (Alamelu Mangapuram), located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of Tirupati, is an important temple which is visited by every pilgrim who visits Tirupati. It is this temple that houses the spouses of the Lord, Sri Padmavathi Devi (Alamelu Mangamma) and Thayaru. According to the legends, the goddess Padmavathi was born in a tank called Pushakarini at this place. The temples of Sri Krishna Swamy and Sri Sundara Raja Swamy are also inside the complex.
Sri Govinda Raja Swami Temple is located in Tirupati near the railway station. The highlight of the temple is its outer pinnacle (Gaali Gopuram), which is visible from a distance. In addition to a shrine to Sri Govinda Raja Swami, the temple complex also houses the shrines of Andal Ammavaru, Sri Krishna, Sri Ramanuja Thirumangai Alwar, Sri Vedanta Desika, Sri Lakshmi, and Sri Manevala Mahamunlu. The Bramhotsavam of Govinda Raja Swami during the month of Vaisakha (May–June) attracts a large number of devotees every year.
Sri Kodanda Rama Swami Temple is also situated in Tirupati. This temple houses the shrines of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. The beautiful idols of this temple are famous. Bramhotsavam in this temple takes place in the month of Falgun (March–April).
Sri Kapileswara Swami Temple is the only temple of Lord Shiva in Tirupati. Pilgrims normally proceed to Tirumala for Darshan after taking a customary dip in the temple tank. Located amidst foothills of Tirumala, the place is also known for its waterfalls.
Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple is located at Narayanavanam, according to legends. Lord Venkateswara courted and married goddess Padmavathi Devi here.

Importance in mythology

From Puranas, The Venkatam Hill is believed to be a part of the Mount Meru, which was brought on to the earth from Vaikuntam by Garuda (Lord's vehicle). The Hills are said to be a manifestation of Adi Sesha.
Many Alvars, Vaishnavacharyas and saints praised the Tirumala Hill in their respective literatures. Tirumala Nambi (considered as a descendent of Narada), spent his whole life in serving the Lord on the Tirumala hills.
Several references to the Tirumala were found in Puranas. Tirumala is one of the 108 shrines of the Sri Vaishanava sect of Hinduism.According to the Puranas, Lord Vishnu raised in the Avatar of Swetha Varaham from Pushkarini. This Swetha Varaha Avatharam was installed in a temple situated to the west of Swamy Pushkarni. The great religious leader Ramanujacharya visited this shrine on a pilgrimage, and systematized the process of worship of Sri Vaishnava, and that continues to date.

Bangaru Vakili

From the Tirumamani Mandapam, one can enter the Bangaru Vakili to reach the inner sanctum sanctorum. There are two tall copper images of the dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya on either side of the door. The thick wooden door is covered with gilt plates depicting the dasavataram of Sri Maha Vishnu.
The doorway is directly in line with the Padi Kavali and the Vendi Vakili. It admits pilgrims to the Snapana Mandapam.
Suprabhatam is sung in front of this door.



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