The abode of Sri Lord Venkateswara, is one of the most visited Hindu temples in India. Lord Venkateswara loves his devotees and grants all their wishes. He is known as the ‘Lord of Kali yug’. The 13,000 kilos of Gold ornaments that the lord owns is a proof for his gigantic splendor, while the thousand crores of bank balance on the lord’s name is the mirror for the belief that his devotees have in him. All this is what has made him the second richest god in the world.
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THE TEMPLE HISTORY
Based on the available records, the idol of Lord Venkateswara is self emerged( swayambhoo ) . There are innumerable divine places, within the precincts of the temple and the architectural beauty of these places is jaw dropping. Each and every place reveals memorable sweet incidents connected with the lives of many devotees who are dear to the Lord. The divine leelas of the almighty are visibly hidden in these places.
THE MIND BLOWING ADMINISTRATION
The entire temple area is spread over a thousand acres. The administration takes place under 37 departments , employing 9,000 permanent employees along with the other 15,000 workers . The Hundi collection of the temple is just mind blowing. It is never less than Rs.3 crore per day. Lakhs of people visit the temple everyday and seek his blessings. The temple budget this year is Rs.2900 crores. This has been possible only at Tirumala and not in any other temple around the globe.
DARSHAN OF THE UGRA MOORTHY, ONCE A YEAR
One of the main idols of the Lord , the most famous UGRA SRINIVASA idol is made available for the darshan of his devotees only once in a year . This has been the idol that was used for all the utsavs in the temple. But due to a fire accident which destroyed the houses of the temple priests , the temple committee has decided to stop the custom of taking the ugra moorthy of Lord Srinivasa for possession . Since that , the custom of taking the idol of Lord Malayappa for possession has started.
THE LORD’S DIVINE COSTUMES
Earlier , the clothes of the Lord were changed only four times a year , on specific occassions. The cost of the cloth in those days was Rs.8000. So the cloth was washed once a week and then reused. Gradually, the practise of using new cloth every week has started. So the committee has started a new seva where devotees can pay Rs.12,500 and get the divine chance of sitting infront of the Lord in the main temple on that day. This special seva is held on every Friday and the most astonishing fact is that all the tickets for the next 30 years have been booked!!!
THE FIVE SPECIAL IDOLS OF LORD SRINIVASA
There are five different idols in Tirumala which are offered special poojas and prayers every day.
- The main idol of the lord is present in the ANAND NILAYA ( the place of happiness ) which is 8 feet tall.
- The BHOGA SRINIVASA is the one who is offered the daily pujas.
- The Lord who is taken for possession in the streets of the temple is the MALAYAPPA SWAMY.
- The KOLUVU SRINIVASA is the Lord to whom the priests narrate the earnings and the horoscope of the day .
- The UGRA SRINIVASA is the one who is seen once a year.
THE VYKHANASA SHASTRA
All the puja procedure that is being followed today is said to have been started by sage Vaikhanasa , who is expected to have found out the main idol of the Lord at Tirumala. So even today the priests follow the same process , following the tradition.
THE FAMOUS BRAHMOTSAVA
During the reign of Sri Krishna Devaraya , the grand event of Brahmotsava was held 9 times a year . On the last day of the event , there has been a custom of reading out the earnings of the 9 days to the Lord. Even today the Brahmotsava is the most spectacular event where thousands of devotees visit Tirumala just to have the darshan of the almighty and fill their hearts with his magnificent posture .
THE SACRED WATER BODIES
It is said that there are 66 crore sacred water bodies at Tirumala. The most important ones are 9 in number. It is a strong belief that devotees who take a sacred bath here get rid of all their sins and become pure.
THE DELICIOUS LADDU
The first thing that comes to one’s mind on hearing the name TIRUMALA is the most famous and the delicious laddu. This is the prasad that the devotees take home as the blessing of their beloved Lord. Millions of laddus are prepared everyday for the sake of devotees. The taste of this laddu is unbeatable. The temple committee also owns a patent for this laddu.
By remembering the name of Srinivasa , the sins get washed out. By praising him, we can get our wishes fulfilled. By just having his darshan , one can get salvation. This is a little information that I have collected. The stories of the lord and the greatest records of him are innumerable. So the Lord will always be praised and his devotees will always be helped.
“VENKATADRI SAMAM STHANAM BRAHMANDE NAASTHI KINCHANA
VENKATESA SAMO DEVO NABHOOTHO NA BHAVISHYATHI…!!!”