Tirupati Balaji, also known as Lord Venkateswara, is a highly revered Hindu deity worshipped in the town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Lord Venkateswara is considered the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism.
The main temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara is called the Sri Venkateswara Temple, also known as the Tirumala Temple or Tirupati Temple. It is situated atop the Tirumala Hills, which are a part of the Seshachalam Hills range. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and attracts millions of devotees from all over the world.
The temple is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is an independent trust established by the government of Andhra Pradesh. The TTD ensures the smooth functioning of the temple and oversees various activities like providing accommodation, managing darshan (sacred viewing) queues, and organizing religious rituals and festivals.
Also Read: The Enchanting Amarnath Cave: A Spiritual Odyssey to Lord Shiva's Divine Abode
Devotees visit Tirupati Balaji to seek his blessings and offer prayers for their well-being, prosperity, and fulfillment of their wishes. It is believed that a visit to the temple and darshan of Lord Venkateswara can bring good fortune and spiritual upliftment. The temple also receives significant donations and offerings from devotees, which are utilized for various social, educational, and welfare activities initiated by the TTD.
The Venkateswara Temple has a rich history and is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and traditions. It is renowned for its unique practices, such as the tonsuring of devotees' hair as an act of surrender and gratitude to the deity. The temple also celebrates several festivals with great pomp and splendor, including the Brahmotsavam, which is the most important annual festival lasting for nine days.
Tirupati Balaji holds immense significance for millions of devotees and is considered one of the most visited and revered pilgrimage sites in the world. People from different walks of life come to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara and experience the divine atmosphere of Tirumala.
Venkateswara an avatar of Vishnu is the presiding deity of the temple. It is believed that the moolavirat is Swayambhu.
Also Read: Sri Venkateswara Temple: A Divine Saga of History and Worship
Venkateswara is represented by five deities (berams), including the Moolavirat, according to the Vaikhanasa Agamas. These five deities are collectively referred to as Pancha beramulu (Pancha means five; Beram means Deity).Dhruva Beram (Moolavar), Kautuka Beram, Snapana Beram, Utsava Beram, and Bali Beram are the five deities. The Garbha griha beneath Ananda Nilayam Vimanam is where all of the pancha berams are situated.
Moolavirat or Dhruva Beram- In the centre of Garbha griha, under the Ananda Nilayam Vimana, the Moolavirat of Venkateswara is seen in standing posture on lotus base, with four arms, two holding Shanka and Chakra and one in Varada posture and other in Kati posture. This deity is considered the main source of energy for the temple and adorns with the Vaishnavite nama and jewels including vajra kiritam (diamond crown), Makarakundalas, Nagabharana, Makara Kanti, Saligrama haram, Lakshmi haram.Venkateswara's consort, Lakshmi stays on the chest of the Moolavirat as Vyuha Lakshmi.
Bhoga Srinivasa or Kautuka Beram -- This is a small one-foot (0.3 m) silver deity which was given to the temple in 614 AD by the Pallava Queen Samavai for conducting festivals. Bhoga Srinivasa is always placed near the left foot of Moolavirat and is always connected to the main deity by a holy Sambandha Kroocha.This deity receives many daily sevas(pleasures) on behalf of Moolavar and hence known as Bhoga Srinivasa(Telugu: Bhoga means Pleasure). This deity receives Ekanthaseva dailyand SahasraKalasabhisheka on Wednesdays.
Also Read: Kashi Vishwanath Temple: A holy paradise for the devotees
Ugra Srinivasa or Snapana Beram - This deity represents the fearsome (Telugu: Ugra means angry) aspect of deity Venkateswara.This deity was the main processional deity until 1330 CE when it was replaced by the Malayappa Swami deity.Ugra Srinivasa remains inside the sanctum sanctorum and comes out on a procession only one day in a year: on Kaishika Dwadasi, before the sunrise.This deity receives daily abhishekam on behalf of Moolavirat, giving the name Snapana Beram(Sanskrit: Snapana means cleansing)
Malayappa Swami or Utsava Beram - Malayappa is the processional deity (Utsava beram) of the Temple and is always flanked by the deities of his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. This deity receives all festivals like Brahmotsavams, Kalyanotsavam, Dolotsavam, Vasanthotsavam, Sahasra deepalankarana seva, Padmavati parinyotsavams, pushpapallaki, Anivara asthanam, Ugadi asthanam etc.
Koluvu Srinivasa or Bali Beram- Koluvu Srinivasa represents Bali Beram. Koluvu Srinivasa is regarded as the guardian deity of the temple that presides over its financial and economic affairs. Daily Koluvu seva(Telugu: Koluvu means engaged in) is held in the morning, during which, the previous day's offerings, income, expenditures are notified to this deity, with a presentation of accounts. Panchanga sravanam also is held at the same time during which that particular days Tithi, sunrise and sunset time, nakshatra are notified to the Venkateswara.
Also Read: A Path to Enlightenment: Unveiling the Spiritual Wonders of the World
Vaishno Devi Temple: A Journey of Faith and Transcendence amidst the Trikuta Hills