subject: Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh (South India) [print this page] Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh (South India)
Tirupati Balaji Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara and is located in Andhra Pradesh, one of the states of South India. It is one of the richest pilgrimage place in the world and is located at a distance of 67 km from Chittoor city in Chittoor district. The ancient temple of Lord Venkateshwara is located on the seventh peak called Venkata Hill, in Tirupati-Tirumala. Devotees from various parts of India and abroad flock Tirupati temple to pay obeisance.
Main deity of the temple is known by a number of names like Balaji, Venkateshwara, Perumal, Srinivasa and Venkatachalpathy. According to legends, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, who is also known by the name of Sri, resides on the chest of Lord Venkateshwara and this is the reason that the deity of the temple is also known by the name of Srinivasa.
The best season to visit Tirupati temple is from September to February.
Architecture of the Temple
The temple has been built on Tirumala hill at an altitude of 2,800 feet above sea level. It has been made in the Dravidian style and there are a total of three enclosures in the temple called as 'Prakarams'. The image of the deity of Tirupati Temple, Lord Venkateshwara, represents Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and as per the Hindu religion, Lord Shiva is considered as destroyer and Lord Vishnu as the preserver of the world. The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 10th century.
It is believed that Tirupati Temple has self manifested idol of Lord Vishnu. Three statues of Krishnadevaraya, his spouse, Vijayanagara King and idol of Todarmal, one of the ministers of Emperor Akbar, are the main attractions of the temple.
Tonsuring of Heads
There is a unique ritual of tonsuring of ones head in the temple premises and on a daily basis more than a ton hair are collected from the temple. The collected hair are publicly auctioned to international buyers from time to time for cosmetic use and hair extensions. This fetches the temple a revenue of more than 6 million rupees every year.
Brahmotsavam Festival
Brahmotsavam Festival is the annual festival of Tirupati Temple, which is celebrated in the month of September. The festival continues for a period of nine days and devotees from various parts of the country flock Tirupati in large numbers to pay their obeisance. During this annual festival, Tirupati Temple becomes one of the most visited temples of the world. It is visited by more than 50, 000 pilgrims on daily basis.
How to reach Tirupati Temple
By Air :Renigunta, which is at a distance of 15 km, is the nearest airport and is connected by flights from Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.
By Rail : The nearest railway station is Tirupati which is connected by trains to Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Puri.
By Road : Tirupati is linked to various cities of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states by a network of deluxe and ordinary buses on regular basis. Hyderabad is at a distance of 617 km from Tirupati and Bangalore is 248 km away.
