Tirupati Balaji Temple | History, facts & food
Sri Venkateswara Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India. It’s based in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, one of the most famous and rich religious places in the world. The temple also is referred to by other names like Tirupati Balaji Temple. Lord Venkateswara is called by many other names, Balaji, Srinivasa, and Govinda.
The Seshachalam Hills range includes the Tirumala Hills. The hills were 853 meters above sea level (2.799 feet). Seven peaks, representing the seven heads of the Adisesha, shape the hills. The temple is located on Venkatadri, the seventh hill, on the south bank of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a lake of holy water. Thus the temple also is referred to it as the Seven Hills Temple. The town of Tirumala covers approximately 10,33 km2 of the district.
Balaji and Lord Venkateswara are considered to be incarnations of Lord Vishnu. However, this temple is also known as the Swami Temple of Sri Venkateswara. This magnificent temple, built in the hills of Tirumala, is one of Lord Vishnu’s 8 Swayambhu temples. This world-famous temple is constructed in Dravidian architectural style and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is a rare piece of South Indian architecture and craftsmanship, visited by devotees from every corner of the world. This temple has its own distinct religious context and belief, which is why a significant number of people have strong faith in this temple. At the same time, millions of crores of rupees are donated every year in the Temple of Sri Venkateswara.
Tirupati Balaji History
There is no clear evidence for the construction of the Swami Tirupati Venkateswara temple, one of the most famous and influential religious places in the world, but in the 9th century, according to some historians, the construction of this temple is believed to be related to the faith of millions of devotees. It is believed that it originated from the period when the rulers of the Kanchipuram dynasty of Pallava founded their power at this place. However, this famous Tirupati Balaji temple located on the seventh hill of Tirumala has gained fame in the 15th century. The work of this famous temple was taken over by the Mahant of Hathiramji Math from 1843 AD to 1933 AD. Subsequently, in 1933, the Madras Government took over the care of this temple, and then later the responsibility of managing this temple was handed over to an independent management committee “Tirumala-Tirupati”.
Subsequently, when the state of Andhra Pradesh was formed, a Tirupati board was formed which operates temples in many cities and towns including Mumbai, Rishikesh, Kanyakumari Hyderabad, Guwahati, New Delhi, and Chennai. There is a belief about this temple of the world that when the roof of this temple was closed for 12 years in the 18th century, a ruler killed 12 people by hanging them on the wall. At that time, Lord Venkateswara appeared on the plane. Apart from this, many such mythological and religious beliefs have been attached to this temple, due to which the importance of this temple grew and the people’s reverence for this temple increased.
facts about Tirupati Balaji temple
As Much as the temple is rich, it is equally mysterious. there are many such secrets in this temple which you can be surprised to see.
The location of the idol
when you entered the sanctum santorum, you will notice that the idol of Lord Venkateswara is placed in the center. but when you come out then you will see, that the place of the idol has suddenly changed. but actually, it is not. The idol is actually positioned within the right corner of the temple. some people believe that according to Hindu beliefs. the right part is a synonym for auspicious
The secrets of village
Lord Balaji temple is in the hills of Tirumala. there is a village about 23 kilometers from the temple. it is believed the offering like fruit, flower, milk, curd, ghee everything is taken from this village. to keep this village holy, outsiders are not allowed in this village. the people of this village live by rules, restraint, and discipline.
The Hair of the idol
the more surprised the idol of Lord Venkateshwara is, the hair on the idol of Lord Venkateshwara is believed to real and silky, smooth, tangle-free, and absolutely real. devotees say that god resides here. for this reason, they neither tangle nor spoil.
The Sound of the sea waves
the idol of Lord Venkateshwara is the biggest mystery in the temple. it is to be believed that the sound of the sea wave can be heard when your ear at the back of the idol. if you close your eyes, you realize that you are on the seashore.
Sweating of idol
do you know the idol of Lord Venkateshwara sweats? Tirupati Balaji temple is designed in a such way that it is to keep calm and cool. but the sweat emanating from the idol is a big mystery.
Pachai Karpooram
A Special type of camphor is applied for the idol. this camphor is known as Pachai Karpooram this is used especially to crack the stone. but it does not happen with the idol of the god. applying every day on idol does not cause any crack or neither does it have any effect.
Secret of the lamp
the lamp is present in the courtyard of the temple and that is to mysteries. because it never consumes any fuel and even it is mysterious that who has lightened that lamp. still, it is burning
Food
The famous “Tirupati Laddu” is offered as a prasadam in the Temple. The laddu prasadam is prepared in the temple kitchen known as ‘Potu’ by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Temple Board. the ingredients like cashew nuts, Gram flour, ghee, sugar, cardamom, sugar candy, and raisins are used to make laddu.
Sightseeing around Tirupati
- Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
- Chandragiri Fort
- Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
- Kapila Theertham, Tirumala Tirupati
- Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
- Sri Venkateshwara National Park