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Tirupati Temple, Tirupati Darshan, Tirupati Temple History, Tirupati Travel Guide, Tourist Places in Andhra Pradesh

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Vishnu Sites - Tirupati - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
   
The world renowned temple of Tirupati Balaji, also known as Venkateshwar and Shri Niwas, is situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
    
Tirupati is the name of the city, and the hill on which the Venkateshwar Temple is situated, is called Tirumal.
    
It is the second amongst the 108 Divya-Desams of the Alwar Vaishnav Saints and is considered as the richest temple in the world.
    
Food for 20,000 people is prepared here everyday on the solar cooking system provided by the Department of non-conventional energy.
    
Many creatures on the verge of extinction like, giant squirrels, flying lizards, tree shrew etc are being protected and saved in Shri Venkateshwar sanctuary and National Park.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
The Varah Puran describes this as the Aadi-Varah region.
    
 Bhavishyottar Puran suggests that when Maharshi Bhrigu hit Lord Vishnu’s chest with his foot, Goddess Laxmi felt offended and therefore came to Kolhapur and began meditation. Bereaved at the separation of his wife, Vishnu started staying here in the form of Venkateshwar (reliever of sins). Here, he was named as Shri Niwas and he married Padmavati, the daughter of the Chola king, Akashraj.
    
According to the Vayu Puran, Vishnu chose Tirupati as his second abode after Vaikunth and began staying here.
   
According to the Venkatachal Mahatmya of Skand Puran, one who thinks of the resident Lord of Venkatachal for just 2 moments, relieves his next 21 generations and is honoured in Vishnulok.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
The oldest reference of the Tirupati Temple is seen in Tholkappiam (author Tholkappiar), the grammar text from the second Sangam era.
   
In the literature from the third Sangam era, Tirupati has been referred to as Thiruvengadam which was the northernmost frontier of the Tamil kingdom.
   
During the period of the Pallavas (Kanchi) and the Cholas (Tanjavur), the temple received many grants.
   
The temple earned great fame in the 11th century due to the efforts of Ramanuj. As a result, the Samants of the Devgiri Yadavs provided a lot of encouragement and financial aid.
   
The Anand Nilayam (outer Gopuram) was built during the period of Narsingh Dev Yadav Rai.
   
In 1518 A.D., Krishnadev Rai built a number of mandaps. Here, one can see the statues of Krishnadev Rai with his wives, Tirumala Devi and Chinta Devi.
   
In 1801 A.D., the temple came under the control of the East India Company.
   
During the period of 1843-1933, the British gave charge of the temple management to the mahants. As per the new act of 1951 A.D., currently the entire administration is under the Tirumal Tirupati Devsthanam Trust which is headed by the district collector.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
 
Besides the main temple of Venkateshwar, there are 64 other holy shrines on the Venkatachal hills, of which some of them are:
Venkateshwar Temple:
 
This huge temple is amidst 3 elevated enclosures. The garbhgriha (sanctum sanctorum) houses the 8-feet tall statue of the Lord above which is a gold umbrella called the Anand-Nilay Viman.
    
Padi Kavali Mahadwar:
 
Dated to the latter Chola kingdom, this is the outer gopuram of the temple which has idols of many Hindu Gods and Goddesses like Hanuman, Narsingh etc.
    
Ranga Mandap:
 
This is a mandap in the south-eastern corner about which the belief is that the idol of Rangnathji was brought here from Shri Rangam in 1320 A.D.
    
Tiruchanoor:
 
Situated at 4 km from Tirupati, there is a temple of the Lord’s wife, Padmavati.
    
Govind Raj Swami Temple:
 
This temple is situated 1 km to the south of Tirupati Railway Station. Govindji is considered as the elder brother of Lord Venkateshwar.
   
Shrinivasa Mangapuram:
 
At 11 km to the west of Tirupati is situated the temple of Kalyan-Venkateshwar Swami. It is believed that Lord Shrinivas lived here for 6 months after his marriage with Devi Padmavati. There was also an ashram of sage Agastya situated here.
   
Swami Pushkarini:
 
This is the most sacred pilgrimage (bathing area) here which finds a mention in the Varah Puran.
   
Kapila Teerth:
 
This is the first pilgrimage at the base of the hills. Bathing and pind-daan rituals first take place here.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Pavitrotsav:
 
Lasting for 5 days, it is the main festival in Tirupati when Balaji is made an offering of 9 types of grains. The oldest evidence of this festival is from 1464 A.D. from the Vijaynagar Empire. This festival is celebrated in the month of Shravan from Shukla Paksh Dashmi to Poornima.
    
Tirudwadashi:
 
Margshukla paksh Ekadashi, also known as Putrada Ekadashi and the next day, Tiru Dwadashi, also known as Kurm Dwadashi are days of festivities. Both the days are celebrated with sacredness.
    
Vasantotsav:
 
The earliest references are found in an inscription dated 1360 A.D. when a Nayak of Vijaynagar, Eramanchi Pemma participated in a similar festival. According to an inscription from 1511 A.D., this festival lasted 5 days.
   
Brahmotsav:
 
When the Sun is in Virgo star sign (Ashwin month), Brahmotsav is celebrated for 10 days.
   
Rath Saptami:
 
A procession of Lord Balaji is carried out on a chariot on Magh Shukla Saptami (February).
   
Gangamma Yatra:
 
Gangamma Devi is worshipped according to the rituals of the Shakt sect. She is believed to be the sister of Lord Govind.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas:
 
 Shri Venkateshwar  Station
 Shri Kodandram Dharmshala  Station (South)
   
Hotels:
 
 Category  General
 Name  Bhima’s Paradise
 Address  33-37, Renugunta Road, Tirupati, AP - 517 501
 Telephone  +91 - 877 - 2237271
 Fax  +91 - 877 - 2237277
 Web Site  www.hotelbhimas.com
   
 
 Category  General
 Name  Mayur Hotel
 Address  209, T. P. Area, Tirupati, AP - 517 501
 Telephone  +91 - 877 - 2225925
 Fax  +91 - 877 - 2225911
   
 
 Category  General
 Name  Bhima’s Deluxe Hotel
 Address  34-38 G, Car Street, Tirupati - 517 501
 Telephone  +91 - 877 - 2225521
 Fax  +91 - 877 - 225 471
 Web Site  www.hotelbhimas.com
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Sindhuri Park Hotel
 Address  14-2-118/119, T. P. Area, Opp. Govind Swami Temple,
 Tirupati, AP - 517 501
 Telephone  +91 - 877 - 2256430
 Fax  +91 - 877 - 2256438
 Web Site  www.hotelsindhuri.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  The Bhima’s Residency
 Address  Near Railway Station Over Bridge, Renigunta Road, Tirupati
 Telephone  +91 - 877 - 2237371, 2237372
 Fax  +91 - 877 - 2237373
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Hotel Bliss
 Address  Ramanuja Circle, Renigunta Road, Tirupati
 Telephone  +91 - 877 - 2237773 / 5563773
 Fax  +91 - 877 - 2237774
 E-mail  blisstpt@vsnl.com
 Web Site  www.blisstirupati.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Fortune Kences Hotel
 Address  Opp. State Transport Corporation Bus Stand, Renigunta Road,  Tirupati, AP - 517 502
 Telephone  +91 - 877 - 2255855
 Fax  +91 - 877 - 2255844
 Web Site  www.fortunehotels.in
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  531 feet  103 cm
 13.8° N  79.9° E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   30  31  34  36  38  36  35  35  34  32  30  29
 Minimum  22  23  24  26  28  28  26  26  25  24  23  22
   
 
Important Information
Tirumal Hills is also called Sheshachal which has 7 peaks - Sheshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri.
The best time to visit Tirupati is from October to March.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 0877
 Puja Timings
 7.30 a.m.-12.00 p.m., 6.00-10.30 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  +91 - 877 - 2289004
 Ambulance  +91 - 877 - 2220120
 Hospital
 
 Government Maternity Hospital
 SVIMS Compound, Tirupati,
 Andhra Pradesh - 517 501
 +91 - 877 - 2234056
 Shri Venkateshwar Hospital
 Leela Mahal Road, Tirumala, By-pass Road,
 Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh - 517 507
 Tel: +91 - 877 - 2280888, 2281111, 2282012
 Currency  Exchange
  HDFC Bank
 10-14-575/A3, Mosque Road,
 V. V. Mahal Road,
 Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh - 517 501
 Tel: +91 - 877 - 2257814, 2257815
 ICICI Bank
 10-14-577, R. V. Tower,
 Near Central Park, Tilak Road,
 Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh - 517 501
 Tel: +91 - 877 - 2259518
 ATM Centre  SBI, Khadi Colony Junction,
 S. V. Grameen Bank,
 Tilak Road, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh - 517 501
 ICICI Bank
 V. V. Mahal Road,
 Near Yamaha Showroom,
 Tirupati - 517 501
 Post Office
 Tirupati Head Office. Tel: +91 - 0877 - 2289204
 Head Post Office, Tirupati West.
 Tel: +91 - 0877 - 2289217
 Tourist Office
  Regional Tourist Information
 Near T.T.D. III, Tirupati
 Tel: +91 - 877 - 2243306
 Shopping
 Wooden idols of Venkateshwar and Padmavati can   be   bought from here. Lepakshi Emporium sells   handicraft   articles and also gold coins on which is   embossed the   image of Lord Venkateshwar.
   
 
Food
Besides South Indian food, North Indian dishes are also available at places like Hotel Vikram (South Indian), Punjabi Dhaba (North Indian). The temple trust also provides meals.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf icontirupati.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Tirupati
Hyderabad
Bangalore
Chennai
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Tirupati  TPTY
 Kurnool Town  KRNT
 Hyderabad  HYB
 Chennai Central  MAS
 Bangalore Cant.  BNC
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Tirupati  Bangalore  247 km
 Chennai  128 km
 Hyderabad  525 km
 Kurnool  329 km
 Malikarjun

 

  Hyderabad  238 km
 Kurnool  6 km
 Chennai  455 km
 Bangalore  355 km

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