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Tirupati Balaji Temple
With the ceaseless blessings of the Almighty, Sri Venkateswara Temple continues to be the most visited shrine in the world. Not only most visited, it also claims the distinction of being the world's richest temple too. Tirupati Balaji Temple is perched on the Venkatachala or Ventaka Hill.
This s the magnum opus of Tirupati. The significance of a pilgrimage to Venkateswara is mentioned in the ancient Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas(Holy Scriptures of Hinduism). The temple, throughout ages, has been the center around which many legends, folklores and myths have evolved. The roof of sanctum sanatorium and the flag pole are covered in gold leaves.
The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala of the Tirupati Hills, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. Lord Venkateswara is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. Here, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala. The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism. The sanctum sanctorum, which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills, is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.
Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple
Sri Govindarajaswami Temple with very tallest gopuram is sitiated in the heart of Tirupati.
Noted vaishnavite Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated the temple in 1130 AD. But very interestingly, at the shrine the celestial bath (Abishekam) is not conducted to the presiding diety, perhaps, first of its kind in India, a temple priest told tirupatitimes.com. Because the deity of lord Sri Govingdaraja that is in lying posture is made of Clay. The TTD that manages the temple too has been contemplating to give golden touch to the deity.
The festivals and other functions in the shrine are similar to those conducted in the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala.
For the devotees who stay in Tirupati, it takes a maximum time of one and half hours for the worship of at the temple.
The sub-temples in its premises are:
* Sri Parthasarathiswami Temple
* Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple
* Sri Andal Temple
* Sri Salai Nachiyar Ammavari Temple
* Sri Ramanuja Temple
* Sri Vyasaraya Anjaneyaswami Temple (Near Dwajasthambham)
* Sri Tirumangai Alwar Temple
* Sri Kurath Alwar Temple
* Sri Madhurakavi Alwar Temple
* Sri Chakrathalwar Temple
* Sri Mudal Alwar Temple
* Sri Manavala Mahamuni Temple
* Sri Vedantha Desikar Temple
* Sri Woolu Alwar Temple
* Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple(Near outer Bugga)
* Sri Nammalwar Temple
* Sri Sanjeevarayaswami Temple (opposite the Hathiramjee Mutt)
* Sri Edhuru Anjaneyaswamy Temple
Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple
Situated at foot of the Tirumala Hills, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple is the only shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in Tirupati. The temple boasts of splendid architecture. It has got a natural waterfall, which is called Kapila Teertham and sometimes, Alwar Teertham.
It is a cave temple, situated about 3 km to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of the Tirumala Hills.
The annual Brahmotsavams and other festivals like Vinayaka Chaturthi, Mahasivaratri, Skanda Shasti and Annabhishekam are performed here with great pomp and splendour.
From Tirupati for the devotees, it takes a maximum time of one hour for worship in the temple and also both up and down journey by an auto or bus.
Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple
Situated in the heart of Tirupati, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple is an ancient temple that dates back to the 10th century. Built by a Chola king, the shrine is dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. It is said that this temple is a memorial of the journey of Lord Rama to Tirupati-Balaji. On its opposite side, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Anjaneyaswami (Hanuman).
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple
Located at a distance of 12 km from Tirupati, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami temple is located at Srinivasa Mangapuram. According to the legends, Lord Venkateswara rested at this place after his wedding with Sri Padmavathi Devi, prior to heading for Tirumala.
Tiruchanur Sri Padmavathi Devi Temple
Tiruchanoor, also known as Alamel Mangapuram, is situated about 5 km from Tirupati. The presiding deity in the temple is Goddess Sri Alamel Mangai popularly known as Sri Padmavathi Devi. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple.
Once upon a time the Tiruchanur was called as Tiruchukanur. Interestingly, some centuries back, according to the historical evidences that the temple complex here was a museum that housed many deities of gods and goddesses.
From Tirupati for the devotees, it takes a maximum time of one and half hours for both up and down journey plus worship in the temple.
Sri Kalahasti Shiva Temple
Lord Shiva in the form of Vaayu Linga aboded on the banks of Swarnamukhi river in Sri kalahasthi 40 km from the temple town of Tirupati. This ancient Shiva Temple is one of the PANCHA BOOTHA LINGAS. The lord in the shrine is called as Sri Vaayulingeswara or Sri Kalahastheeswara. According to inscriptions of the temple,some renovation and improvements works had been done to the shrine by the Chola kings followed by Vijayanagara Emperors
Three ardent devotees- the spider (Sri), the cobra (kaala) and the elephant (hasthi) believed to be very serious enemies to each other in rendering their sincere and dedicated worship to Lord Shiva and had attained moksha (salvation) after killing each other.
Raahu and Kethu pooja known as Sarpadosha Nivarana pooja conducted here daily has become very popular pooja (worship} in this spacious temple complex since the advent of New Millenniam. Devotees believe that Monday is the best for the conduct of the Pooja.
From Tirupati for the devotees it will take a maximum of four hours to complete their worship at Sri Kalahasthi and the to and fro journey by bus.
Srinivasa Mangapuram
This temple is situated 5 Kilometers away from Tirupati.This temple houses Lord Venkatesawara who is also known here as Prasanna Venkateswara or Kalyana Venkateswara.Convenient bus connections are available to this place from Tirupati
Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple
Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple is located in Tallapaka village at a distance of 100 km from Tirupati, which is the birthplace of Sri Annamacharya, the Sankeertana Acharyulu. The temple was constructed and administered by the Matti Rajas about 1,000 years ago.
The sub-temples here are
* Sri Kamakshi Sameta Temple
* Sri Siddeswaraswami Temple
* Sri Gopalaswami Sameta Chakrathalwar Temple.
Sri Varasidhivinayaga Temple
An ancient temple of Lord Vinayaka is situated in KANIPAKAM about 70 km from west of Tirupati. The Lord Vinayaka is belived to have altered his outward appearance as diety and landed on the earth. This is the Swayambhu Vinayaka that was found in a well some centuries ago, the temple inscriptions reveal. The sacred well that still exist with water from where the lord gives us darshan (grace). A portion of the deity is seen covered with water in all seasons in the shrine.
The devotees who strongly believe that the Promises made at the temple should be kept, otherwise, he or she during the rest of the life will suffer with a chain of disasters.
The deity has, slowly, been growing larger and larger decade by decade, the old people hailing from the nearby villages of the Kanipakam temple, told tirupatitimes.com
From Tirupati for the devotees it will take a maximum of six hours to complete their worship at this temple and the to and fro journey by bus.
Agasteeswarar Temple
Most of the temples in and around Tirupati are, by default, related to the many legends about lord Venkateswara. This temple is also one of them, though the temple owes its origin to Sage Agasthya, who had his hermitage at this place long before the lord arrived here. The lord apparently arrived here after his marriage, and stayed at the ashram for 6 months. It is a popular belief that one does not climb a mountain just after marriage, and the lord couldn’t return to his home on the summit, so he chose to spend his time in this ashram.
Sri Varahaswamy Temple
Sri Varahaswami Temple in Tirumala is to the north of the Sri Venkateswara temple, on the banks of Swami Pushkarini. According to legend, Tirumala was originally the Adi Varaha Kshetra or the place belonging to Sri Adi Varahaswami. Lord Sri Venkateswara took up residence here, with the permission of Sri Varahaswami. According to Brahma Purana, naivedyam (food offered to God) should first be offered to Sri Varahaswami. Pilgrims should visit Sri Varahaswami temple before Sri Venkateswara temple. The idol of Sri Varahaswami in Tirumala is that of Adi Varaha.
Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple
Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple is located opposite the Sri Varahaswami temple on the northeastern banks of the Swami Pushkarini. It was constructed during the Mahant's period. The idol's hands are joined in supplication (in the Anjali posture). Sri Anjaneyaswami is believed to be a bestower of boons and a protector from all evils.
ISKCON Temple
It was well known over the years that ISKCON has grown in the matter of spiritual popularly throughout the world and to-day it is widely recognized by theologians, scholars, students and laymen as a genuine and important organization for protecting and preserving the spiritual welfare of all.
The Tirupati ISKCON Temple is located at:
Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir
Hare Krishna Land, Hare Krishan Road
Vinayaka Nagar, Tirupati - 517507
Andhra Pradesh.
Other contact details are:
Ph: 0877-2230114, 2230009
Email : iskcon.tirupati@earthlink.net
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