Lord Venkateshwara called Balaji is the deity of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam(temple) situated in Tirupati of Chittor distrcit in Andhra Pradesh. Every year millions of devotees from all corners of India visit this temple and take the blessings of the Lord.
The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) ofthe Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.
It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.
The benefits acquired by a piligrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.
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Among the many powers attributed to him is the granting of any wish made before the idol at Tirumala. Many pilgrims also donate their hair to the deity – in gratitude for a wish fulfilled, or to renounce ego – so hundreds of barbers attend to devotees. Tirumala and Tirupathi are filled with tonsured men, women and children.
Legends about the hill itself and the surrounding area appear in the Puranas, and the temple’s history may date back 2000 years. The main temple is an atmospheric place, though you’ll be pressed between hundreds of devotees when you see it. The inner sanctum itself is dark and magical; it smells of incense, resonates with chanting and may make you religious. There, Venkateshwara sits gloriously on his throne, inspiring bliss and love among his visitors.
You’ll have a moment to make a wish and then you’ll be out again. ‘Ordinary darshan’ requires a wait of several hours in the claustrophobic metal cages ringing the temple. ‘Special darshan’ tickets (Rs 50) can be purchased a day in advance in Tirupathi. These come with a darshan time and get you through the queue faster.
The antiquity of the temple is testified many literary and epigraphic works. Many kings and Emperors used to pay homage to the Lord from time immemorial.All great dynasties of South India like the Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions.
It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day.
After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka and then the Britishers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and protective control.
In 1843 AD the English East India Company pulled out of administration of Non-Christian shrines. Then the administration of the temple was then entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, till 1933 AD.
The Statue Of Sri Krishna Devaraya
In 1951, the Act of 1933 was replaced by an enactment whereby the administration of TTD was entrusted to a Board of Trustees, and an Executive Officer was appointed by the Government .
Indian Airlines, 2km outside of town, has daily flights to Hyderabad (US$85, one hour). Air Deccan plies the same route daily for less.
Tirupati is a metro city of Andhra Pradesh. Many trains connect it with other cities of India.The Renigunta rail junction is in the Vijayawada- Chennai Main Line.
Buses fly regularly from all main cities/towns to tirupati. Tirupathi’s mega bus station has frequent buses to Chennai (Rs 55, four hours) and Hyderabad (deluxe/Volvo Rs 330/560, 12/10 hours). Tonnes of APSRTC and KSTDC buses go to Bengaluru (deluxe/Volvo Rs 178/275, six/five hours), and three buses head to Puttaparthi daily (Rs 132, eight hours). Private buses depart from the TP Area, opposite the bus stand.
There is no need to bother much of Accommodation( unless you are not going in festive seasons like Brahmotsavas- when you can't even think of a place to sit) Tirumala temple administration have thousands of rooms/cottages for pilgrims. In addition there are many hotels on the Hills. There are many more hotels in the city Tirupati and also in adjacent rail junction Renigunta. In spite of all these sometimes it is really tough finding accommodation during rush times (summer vacations and during various festivals). Many times pilgrims take rest in bus stands, railway stations also. It is always better to book for rooms in advance, TTD(temple administration counters are available in various cities). But during normal days ,there will be no problem as such for accommodation.
Vast dormitories (beds free) and guesthouses (Rs 100-2500) surround the temple, but these are intended for pilgrims. If you want to stay, check in at the Central Reception Office, near the Tirumala bus stand, or reserve online at www.ttdsevaonline.com (reservations not accepted for festivals). Huge dining halls (meals free) in Tirumala serve thousands of meals daily to pilgrims. There are also veg restaurants serving meals for Rs 10.
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