Sri Venkateshwara Temple: Located on the seventh peak of the Tirupati Hills, Venkateshwara derives its name from the fact that the Lord stays on this peak called Venkatachala. Even before you near the temple, a certain excitement seems to fill your being, as you watch the seemingly endless queue wait for hours, and even days, for a glimpse of their favourite lord. True, pilgrims visiting Tirupati spend more time waiting, but they really don't seem to mind it - it only seems to affirm ones devoutness. Security is tight and pilgrims are frisked at the entrance and further ahead. You enter the temple via the Mukhadwara, adorned with seven carved brass finials. The way to the main sanctum has brightly lit chandeliers on one side and ornamented temple elephants on the other. The temple has three Mantapas, namely the Krishnaraya Mantapa, the Ranganayaka Mantapa and Tirumalaraya Mantapam. At the Tirumalaraya Mantapa is a huge weighing scale, where the kings once made donations of gold and jewels and today has offerings of sugar, jaggery, rice and money, all donated by devotees. Located close is also a shrine dedicated to Varadarajaswamy and an image of Garuda.
And finally, you see Lord Venkateshwara, a towering 8 ft tall black idol, with his eyes half closed and a slight smile on his face. His forehead is almost entirely covered in a white namam, with a streak of red musk in the center. He has four hands, studded with diamonds - one hand holds a conch, the second a chakra, the lower touching his hip and fourth raised in boon. His ears are adorned with the huge makara-kundalas, which are crocodile shaped earrings. Lord Venkateshwara is adorned with the meru pacha, believed to be the world's largest emerald. On his head is the famous gold crown, which weighs about 27 kgs and is fitted with almost 28,000 diamonds. Among his other pieces of jewellery are necklaces - including one fitted with gold tiger claws and another which has images of Lakshmi in each pendant. He also has a tulsi-beaded necklace and a black saligrama necklace done in gold. The conch, chakra and the shield that he holds are also encrusted in diamonds.
Just as you take in the euphoria of being there, urgent pushes by devotees behind and the calls of 'move' is made by the temple priests. It is, but a fraction of a second glimpse, but one that stays with you for a long time. As you move out, it is mandatory to pay a visit to a smaller replica of the main idol, Vimana Venkateshwara located on the golden temple tower. Located outside are the idols of Angada, Sugreeva, Anjaneya, Anantha, Vishwaksena and Garuda. A canvas bag called hundi is where you make your offerings, in cash or otherwise. Counters are also set outside that sell temple cassettes and gold coins. You may also spend some time at the Venkateshwara Dhyan Mandir, which is a huge meditation hall with an image of the Lord. The SV Museum houses interesting photographs, ancient idols and images of personalities associated with the temple, musical instruments, an ivory palanquin and wooden carvings.
Partake your share of the holy prasadam, which could be anything including sakkare pongal (sweet pongal), ven pongal (white, salted pongal), puliyogare (tamarind rice) or daddhyonnam/thayir sadam (curd rice).In fact, it is estimated that the Venkateshwara Temple requires almost 4,500 kilos of ghee every day, which is supplied in pipes by the National Dairy Development Board. And finally, don't miss out on the famous Tirupati laddoos, which is really a delicacy and isn't made half as good elsewhere! Open from: 3.00 am-11.30 pm
Note - Electronic items like cell phones, cameras, lighters and torches are banned inside the temple
Alamelumangapuram: This temple is located 4kms from the main shrine and dedicated to Goddess Padmavati, consort of Lord Venkateshwara. Finely decked in silk and jewels, tradition demands that one must visit this shrine before heading to the main temple.
Open from: 5.30 am-8.30 pm
SV Museum - 8.00 am-8.00 pm; entry fee Rs 1
Other Temples: Srinivasamangapuram, located 11 kms away, is a huge stone temple is also dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. His idol is beautifully dressed in silk, jewels and flowers. A particularly noted temple is Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple, whose highlight is the outer gopuram, which is visible from quite a distance. The main deity is worshipped as brother of Lord Venkateshwara. The Brahmotsavam festival here attracts a large number of devotees every year. The Varahaswamy Shrine is dedicated to Vishnu's avatar of a boar and is supposed to be visited before the main temple. The Venugopal Swamy Temple within the main temple complex hosts a black stone idol of Sri Krishna. Sri Kapileshwara Temple is the only temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is mandatory to take a bath at the temple tank before proceeding inside. Also visit the waterfalls located near this temple. The ISKCON Lord Krishna Temple is crafted exquisitely in white and gold. The inside is carved with Lord NarasimhaSwamy, Lord VarahaSwamy and Krishna Leela images. The windows have glass paintings that depict Lord Krishna's life and the ceilings are beautifully done in Tanjore Art. Watch the pillars carved with the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. Within the sanctum is the idol of Lord Krishna with his gopis.
Open from: Srinivasamangapuram - 5.00 am-8.00 pm
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