|
About the temple
Striking features
Customs
| | About the temple | | According to the Varaha Purana, Audi Varaha manifested Himself on the west bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara came to reside on the south bank of the Swami Pushkarini.
One day, Rangadasa, a staunch devotee of Vishnu, in the course of his pilgrimage, joined Vaikhanasa Gopinatha, who was on way to the Tirumala Hill for the daily worship of Lord Venkateswara. After bathing in the Swami Pushkarini, he beheld the lotus-eyed and blue-bodied Vishnu beneath a tamarind tree. Vishnu was exposed to the sun, wind and rain and was only protected by the extended wings of Garuda.
The wonderful sight astounded Rangadasa. He then raised a rough wall of stones around the deity, and started supplying flowers faithfully to Gopinatha everyday for Vishnu's worship.
One day, Rangadasa was distracted by a Gandharva king and his ladies. Consequently, he forgot to supply flowers to Gopinatha. The Lord then revealed Himself and told Rangadasa that He had been testing the latter's continence, but Rangadasa had not been steadfast and had succumbed to temptation.
However, the Lord accepted and appreciated 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.
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 forester, 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 Audi Varaha to a forester, Tondaman constructed a prakaram and dvara gopura, and arranged for regular worship of the Lord.
In the Kali Yuga, Akasaraja came to rule over Tondamandalam and his daughter Padmavathi was married to Venkateswara, which was officiated by Brahma, and was celebrated with great pomp and splendour
Tirumala, 20 kms from Tirupati has the historic shrine of Sri Venkateswara or Balaji (in North India), an incarnation of Vishnu. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in India. The 2m high standing idol of the Lord on a lotus flanked by his consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi is believed to grant any wish made in front of it with reverence.
| | | Striking features | | The most striking feature of the awe-inspiring black idol is its fabulous diamond crown, - said to be the most precious single ornament in the world. The Shanka and Chakra studded with diamonds on both hands dazzle the eye. This temple draws millions of pilgrims and is believed to be the busiest pilgrimage centre in the world. It is the richest temple in India and is a masterpiece of South Indian Architecture. The Sanctorum 'Ananda Nilayam' has a glittering gold covered 'Vimana' and gold covered gates guard the sanctum sanctorum. It is considered auspicious to offer the hair as sacrifice to the deity. | | | Customs | | The elaborate rituals and mode of worship in the temple prescribed by the saint Ramanujacharya, are being followed even today. Anointing the idol with camphor, and the offering by pilgrims of the hair on their heads by getting themselves shaved by licensed barbers are the important customs in vogue at this temple. | |
|
|
|
|
