Tirupati Balaji is the richest temple in India and one of the most famous temples in the world. Also known as Shree Venkateshwar Swami Temple is said to be the place where Lord Vishnu is residing in Kali- yuga and so is also called as Bhuloka Vaikuntam. Situated at Tirumala hills in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh this temple has various stories and history.

ALSO READ - What are 12 Jyotirlings in India: A Spiritual PilgrimageEnhancing P-AIP Knowledge: Over 13 Years of Experience

The story of origin of this temple is goes as once all the Saptarishis wanted to perform a Yagna for the sake of everyone in the world but the question was which among the trinity should get the merit of Yagna. The saptarishis then dicided that Sage Bhrigu will decide that who among the Trinity is supreme. Unhappy by the hospitality of Brahma and Shiva the sage then went to Vishnu who was in deep meditation. Due to being in the deepest state of meditation Vishnu forgot to notice Sage Bhrigu. In anger of being ignored Sage Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu’s chest. Despite of being kicked in chest Lord Vishnu did not get angry and asked Sage Bhrigu if he was ok. Impressed by his behavior Sage Bhrigu decided to give merit to Lord Vishnu and went back to earth. Watching the incident Devi Laxmi (lord Vishnu’s) wife got angry since it is said Devi Laxmi resides in Lord Vishnu’s chest. In anger Devi Laxmi went to earth and took birth as Padmavati. Lord Vishnu could not handle the pain of being away from his wife and he went in search for her. Enable to find her he started living in anthill and performed penance. When Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva got to know about this they followed Vishnu as cow and calf. This Cow used to provide milk to lord Vishnu for his nourishment. Lord Vishnu then took birth in the form of Srinivasa to Vakula Devi. Soon Srinivasa meets Padmavati and fell in love with her and got married. It is believed that they had a huge wedding and Srinivasa took hefty loan from Lord Kubera (god of wealth). The donation by devotees is still used to repay the loan.

ALSO READ - Explore the Hindu Temples in Indonesia

Other than this the ritual of hair donation is also famous in this temple. On an average 20,000 people donate hair in Tirupati Balaji for fulfilment of their wishes and 600 barbers have been kept in temple premises to complete this work. It is believed that once when Lord Shiva was giving milk to Lord Vishnu in the form of cow the cowherd saw this and threw an axe to kill the cow but Srinivasa got in between and got injured in his head. This made him loose some of his hair but his mother Vakula Devi without any hesitation gives her hair to her son. Srinivasa then said to his mother “hair provides beauty to one’s face and without thinking of this you gave your hair to me. From today who ever will donate their hair to me their wishes will be fulfilled.” And this made hair donation a common practice at Tirupati Balaji temple.​

Visiting this temple provides glory, happiness, prosperity and salvation. Newly married couples often visit this temple to have blessings from the Lord for happy and healthy marriage like Lord Shrinivasa and Devi Padmavati.​

ALSO READ - Unlocking Ancient Secrets: Unraveling the Legends of Tirupperunturai Temple