| Tirupati : An Introduction |
| Tirupati/Tirumala is a pilgrimage center of great significance and is visited by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. Venkateswara, or Srinivasa or Balaji as the presiding deity Vishnu is known, is enshrined in this temple, located on a range of the Eastern Ghats, called the Seven Hills.It is an ancient temple and its glory has been sung by the saints of the yesteryears. |
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Tirupati |
| One of the most important pilgrimage centers in India, the temple draws millions of pilgrims and is believed to be the busiest pilgrimage centre in the world. Tirupati town itself has several temples and is famous for its red wooden toys, copper and brass idols. |
| Said to be the richest temple in India, this temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history spanning several centuries. It attracts pilgrims from all over the country and it is not unusual for pilgrims to stand in line for hours together to obtain a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few fleeting seconds. |
| References to Tiruvenkatam abound in early Tamil literature(Tolkappiam and Silappadikaram) . Explicit reference to the Lord of Tiruvenkatam is found in the works of the early Tamil Saint Poets Poigai Alwar, Bhuthathu Alwar and Pay Alwar as well as in the poems of the later Alwars. The great religious leader Ramanuja Acharya is said to have visited here in the 11th - 12th century AD. |
| The temple town of Tirupati came into existence in the 12th century, when the Govindarajaswamy temple was founded. Sri Venkateshwara temple, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, also known as Balaji in the north and Srinivasa in southern parts of India, is one of the most famous temples in India and is located at Tirumala, 18 km. northwest of Tirupati at a height of 874 mt. above sea level amidst the hills known as seven hills of the Eastern Ghats. |
| Places of Interest in Tirupati |
| Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple : The temple town of Tirupati came into existence in the 12th century, with the founding of Govindarajaswamy temple. Sri Venkateshwara temple, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, also known as Balaji in the north and Srinivasa in southern parts of India, is one of the most famous temples in India and is located at Tirumala, 18 km. northwest of Tirupati at a height of 874 mt. above sea level amidst the hills known as seven hills of the Eastern Ghats. |
| It is believed that Lord Vishnu (Balaji) enchanted by the charm of the hill Seshachalam, settled down here to meditate and in course of time his body was transformed into stone. Also, according to the Puranas, the hills represent the body of Adisesha on which Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, is said to rest. The seven hills denote the seven hoods of Adisesha on which Venkatachalapati resides. The origin of the temple is shrouded in antiquity and is regarded as one of the most ancient temples in India. |
| Govindaraja Swami Temple : One of the most important temples in the heart of Tirupati is Sri Govindaraja Swami Temple, which was consecrated by Saint Ramanujacharya in 1130 AD. It is built by the Nayakas, the successors to the Vijayanagar empire. The temple has an impressive outer gopuram. The inner most gopuram is the earliest dating from the 14th-15th centuries. The main shrines are dedicated to Vishnu and Krishna. |
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| Silathoranam (Rock Arch) : About 1km from Tirumala Temple is a rare naturally formed arch. Believed to be the source of Lord Venkateswara's idol, the rocks resemble hood of a serpent, a conch and a discus. It is a geological wonder. |
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| Chandragiri Palace : Located 11 km from Tirupati, in Chittoor district, Chandragiri was the former capital of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire. The fort here was built on a 180m high rock. The fortifications, 'Raja Mahal' with its romantic lily pond and the 'Rani mahal' are well preserved. The Museum in Raja Mahal contains Chola and Vijayanagara bronzes. |
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