Tirupati Venkateswara

History

The Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, also known as the Tirumala Temple, is a Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (a form of Vishnu). The temple is believed to have been visited by Ramanuja, the 12th-century philosopher who is said to have performed the Anointment of Lord Venkateswara. References to this temple appear in early Tamil literature, including the Divya Prabandha by the Alvars. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust, established in 1933, now administers the temple and manages the world's largest religious endowment.

Architecture

The temple is built in Dravidian architecture style with a distinctive golden Vimana (tower). The Ananda Nilayam (sanctum) is covered in gold plates. The Bangaru Vakili (golden door) leads to the main sanctum. The temple complex includes Hundi (donation box), Ranganayakula Mandapam, and the sacred Pushkarini tank.

Highlights

• 1World's most visited religious site with 50,000–100,000 pilgrims daily
• 2Sri Venkateswara's idol adorned with diamond crown and gold jewellery
• 3Tirumala hills (Seshachalam range) at 853 meters elevation
• 4Annual hair offering (Vastralankara) — over 15 tons of hair donated daily
• 5TTD runs free annadanam for all pilgrims — one of the world's largest free kitchens

Festivals & Events

Poojas & Sevas