Tirupati

 

Tirupati is a city of southeastern Andhra Pradesh state. It lies in the Palkonda Hills, about 13 km northeast of Chandragiri and 108 km northwest of Chennai in Tamil Nadu state. Tirupati, an ancient town at the southern end of Andhra Pradesh, is a pilgrim’s paradise. The place is famous for its many Hindu shrines; the most revered being Sri Venkateswara Swamy or Tirupati Balaji temple.

Tirumala – The sacred hill of Tirumala is situated about 10 km northwest of Tirupati in Sri Venkateshwara Sanctuary and National Park. The 27 square kilometers long Tirumala Hill comprises of seven peaks. These peaks represent the seven heads of Adisesha. The peaks are Seshadri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Neeladri, Vrushabhadri, Venkatadri and Narayanadri. The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims’ shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.

Besides the sacred Vaishnavite iconic temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy which is a marvel and a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, there are many other places to visit and things to admire on the Tirumala hills. Some of the places in Tirumala are Swami Pushkarini, Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy temple, Sri Hathiramjee Mutt, Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy temple, Srivari Sikhara Darshanam, Sila Thoranam, Dharmagiri, Narayangiri, Papavinasanam, Akasa Ganga water falls, Temple Museum, Asthana Mandapams and Gogarbham Gardens.

There are several teerthams in Tirumala, some of them are Pandava Teertham, Kumaradhara Teertham, Tumbhuru Teertham, Ramakrishna Teertham, Chakra Teertham, Vaikuntha Teertham, Sesha Teertham, Sitamma Teertham, Pasupu Teertham, Jupali Teertham, Sanaka Sanandana Teertham.

Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple – The presiding deity Sri Govindaraja Swamy is considered as brother of Lord Venkateswara. The Govindaraja Swamy was the caretaker of massive wealth borrowed from king Kubera for the marriage ceremony of Lord Venkateswara with Padmavathi Devi. He efficiently utilized this wealth to conduct one of the most glorious marriages in the mythology. Hence Govindaraja Swamy is considered to be the god who helps you elevate your wealth and efficiently manage the wealth acquired.

Padala Venkateswara Swamy is located in the Alipiri steps entrance from tirupati to Tirumala. According to the temple legend, Sri Venkateswara Swamy, every day after Ekanta Seva in Tirumala, meets his beloved Consort Padmavathi Devi in Tiruchanoor, walking along the Alipiri footpath route and leaves his footwear in Alipiri Padalu, hence the name Alipiri Padala Mandapam.

Tiruchanoor, is one of the oldest pilgrim towns located 5km away from Tirupati, is abode of Goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi, the beloved consort of Lord Venkateswara. This pilgrim centre is popularly known as “Alarmelmangapuram”. According to temple legend as Goddess Mahalakshmi emerged on the golden lotus as Padmavathi Devi located at the centre of Padmasarovaram-the temple tank.

Kapila Theertham or Sri Kapliswaraswamy Temple is the only Shiva temple in Tirupati and one of the 108 sacred Theerthams on the hills of Tirumala. The Shiva lingam at this temple is considered as self-manifested. The waterfall near the temple is also considered sacred, and devotees believe that a dip in its waters can help you get rid of all the sins.

The Srikalahasti Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam, where the presiding deity is worshipped as Air or Vaayu Lingam. This temple is considered as the Kashi and Kailasa of the South. All the other temples close down during the Solar and the Lunar eclipse, except for the Srikalahasti temple which is the only temple to remain open on those days in India.

Source:

https://www.tirumalatirupati.in/history-of-tirupati/

https://www.tirumala.org/Places%20to%20see%20around%20Tirumala.aspx

http://tourmet.com/sri-govindarajaswami-temple/

 

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