The picturesque Tirumala hills is situated 2820 ft above MSL and is about 100sq.m in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Audisesha, thus earning the name Seshachalam.
The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Vedadri, Garudadri, Anjandri, Vrishabhadri, Narayandri and Venkatadri (Adri in sanskrit means Hill).
The Venkatam hill is believed to be a part of the celestial mount meru, brought to the earth from Vaikuntam by Garuda.The sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak,Venkatdri and there are several legends associated with the manifestation of the lord in Tirumala. The shrine of the lord is very ancient and there are ample references to it in the early inscriptions belonging to the Chola and Pallava periods as well in the Sangam literature.
The abode of the lord is about 10 Km north-west of Tirupati and there are footsteps leading to the hill as well as two separate serpentine roads to reach the shrine. According to legend, God Vishnu revealed himself earlier in the previous incarnations as Varahaswamy on the banks of the present temple tank. This manifestation of the white boar (Sveta Varaham) is enshrined in the Adi Varahaswany temple situated on the northeastern banks of the tank.
The Sanctum sanctorum called the Garbha Griha is where the main idol of lord Venkateswara resides. The idol stands majestically to a height of eight feet, in the centre of the sanctum directly beneath a gold guilded dome called the Ananda Nilaya Divay Vimana. The exquisitely wrought idol called the Mulabera is believed to be Svayambhu(self manifested), according to the legends. Further, no human being is known to have either sculpted or installed the idol in the shrine.
On normal days the imposing idol is adorned with a golden Kiritam which has a large emerald embedded on its front. On special occasions like the Brahmothsavam, he is adorned with his precious diamond crown worth Rs 30 Crores. On his forehead, the lord has a thick double patch of upright Namam drawn with refined camphor which screens his eyes. In between the two white patches is the Kasturi tilakam. His ear's are bedecked with shinning golden Makara Kundalas. The fist of his right raised hand is implanted with a gem-set chakra and the correponding left fist is with the Sankha. The slightly outstretched right hand has its finger pointing to his lotus feet, as the only recourse to his devotees to attain oneness with him and enjoy eternal bliss. His right hand is akimbo to assure his devotees of protection and to show the proverbial SamsaraSagara, the ocean of mundane life,is only hip deep if they seek refuge in him.
He has on the right side of his chest a clear impression of Goddess Lakshmi's, his consort. The deity has a unique magnetism, many devotees who go through the fleeting Sarvadarsanam have unusual psychic experience. They leave with a sense of spiritual satisfaction, coupled with a religious hunger to stand in front of Lord Venkateswara and experience the bliss again and again.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Recommended Restaurants in Tirupati
Nitya Anna Dana Hall
Basic free meals consisting of vegetable dishes, chutney, rice, sambhar, rasam and buttermilk are provided at the Nitya Anna Dana Hall. The hall is one km from temple, next to the shopping complex. Over 25,000 pilgrims eat in this big hall every day. Food is served on tables, either in stainless steel plates or on banana leaves.
Location: Tirumala Temple Premises
Balaji Woodlands
Balaji Woodlands, near the bazaar, is clean and a good option for South Indian tiffin meals.
Location: 206, Achalukya Complex, TP Area
The Saptagiri Woodlands Restaurant
The restaurant is recommended for its hot and tasty South Indian veg snacks and meals. The long dosa and pesarattu are some of the most loved dishes here.
Location: Near the Saptagiri Guesthouse
Woodside Restaurant
The restaurant serves some delicious tiffin meals. The prices are affordable and the restaurant has clean surroundings.
Location: Near the SV Museum
Bhimas Paradise
The restaurant at Bhimas Paradise Hotel serves traditional authentic vegetarian South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, and Mughlai cuisine.
Location: 3-37, Renigunta Road
Hotel Mayura
Hotel Mayura takes pride in its on-site restaurant that whips up pure vegetarian North Indian and South Indian delicacies. The gourmet can also place orders for scrumptious Chinese and Mughlai dishes. The flavor of the food will leave even the most finicky foodie thoroughly pleased.
Location: 209, T.P Area
Vrinda
Vrinda is a pure vegetarian restaurant in Sindhuri Park Hotel. The restaurant serves delicious North Indian, Chinese and South Indian food. The hotel provides an unforgettable experience of dining in a restaurant adorned with appealing wall-hangs and gorgeous Radha-Krishna idols. There is also an adjoining mini dining hall for small parties and family dinners.
Location: TP Area, Opp. Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Pushkarini
Basic free meals consisting of vegetable dishes, chutney, rice, sambhar, rasam and buttermilk are provided at the Nitya Anna Dana Hall. The hall is one km from temple, next to the shopping complex. Over 25,000 pilgrims eat in this big hall every day. Food is served on tables, either in stainless steel plates or on banana leaves.
Location: Tirumala Temple Premises
Balaji Woodlands
Balaji Woodlands, near the bazaar, is clean and a good option for South Indian tiffin meals.
Location: 206, Achalukya Complex, TP Area
The Saptagiri Woodlands Restaurant
The restaurant is recommended for its hot and tasty South Indian veg snacks and meals. The long dosa and pesarattu are some of the most loved dishes here.
Location: Near the Saptagiri Guesthouse
Woodside Restaurant
The restaurant serves some delicious tiffin meals. The prices are affordable and the restaurant has clean surroundings.
Location: Near the SV Museum
Bhimas Paradise
The restaurant at Bhimas Paradise Hotel serves traditional authentic vegetarian South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, and Mughlai cuisine.
Location: 3-37, Renigunta Road
Hotel Mayura
Hotel Mayura takes pride in its on-site restaurant that whips up pure vegetarian North Indian and South Indian delicacies. The gourmet can also place orders for scrumptious Chinese and Mughlai dishes. The flavor of the food will leave even the most finicky foodie thoroughly pleased.
Location: 209, T.P Area
Vrinda
Vrinda is a pure vegetarian restaurant in Sindhuri Park Hotel. The restaurant serves delicious North Indian, Chinese and South Indian food. The hotel provides an unforgettable experience of dining in a restaurant adorned with appealing wall-hangs and gorgeous Radha-Krishna idols. There is also an adjoining mini dining hall for small parties and family dinners.
Location: TP Area, Opp. Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Pushkarini
Quick facts about Tirupati
Tirupati Information & Fact file
 | Altitude | 750 meters |
 | Temp | Summer: 45 (max) and 40 (min) Degrees Celsius Winter: 30 (max) & 15 (min) Degrees Celsius |
 | Best time to Go | Oct - March |
 | Monsoon | July - Sept |
 | Summer | March - June |
 | Winter | Oct - Feb |
 | Clothes | Light cottons in summers and woolen clothes during winters as it is usually cold in Tirumala. |
 | Nearest Airport | Tirupati |
 | Railway Station | Tirupati |
 | Bus Station | Tirupati |
 | Hospital & Doctor | SVIMS, Tirupati |
 | Sightseeing | Tirumala Balaji Temple, Silathoranam, Theerthams, Papvinasanam... |
Overview on Tirupati
Tirupati, the place which constantly reverberates with the holy chanting of Om Namo Narayanaya and reminds of delicious laddus distributed as prasadam, is a major pilgrimage city drawing devotees from all over the country and abroad.
Tirupati is prominently known for Tirumala, the place of seven hills which is the abode of great lord Balaji usually called as lord Venkateswara or Srinivasa. The city is located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, in Chittoor district, located at the foothills of Eastern Ghats. The temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca with the number of pilgrims visiting it.
The term 'Tirupati' is made of two words, where 'Tiru' means 'Sri' and 'Pati' means 'Husband'. Thus, 'Tirupati' suggests 'Maha Vishnu' or 'Lord of Maha Lakshmi'. Tirumala is located atop the hill which comprises of seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam.
Popular as the richest and most opulent temple in the world, this temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history spanning several centuries maintained by Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam (TTD). It is thronged by the devotees all around the year that it is not unusual for pilgrims to stand in line for hours together to witness a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few seconds, which take you to experience the pinnacle of divinity within those few precious seconds standing before God in the temple.
Apart from the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, there are plethora of other temples in and around the city which are worth visiting. In addition to various shrines scattered all over Tirupati and beyond, there are holy water falls, sacred rivers and archaeological wonders too.
Most of the devotees visit the temple to give their offerings on fulfillment of their vows, by either dropping them in Hundi or by tonsuring their heads. Walking up to the tmple is also treated as one offering to God. The path up to the doors of the Tirupati temple is around 12 km, comprising nearly 3500 plus stairs in total as one crosses seven hills.
Tirupati also offers some delicious cuisines reflecting the authentic Rayalaseema food, famous for its spiciness and hot chili flavor.
Tirupati is prominently known for Tirumala, the place of seven hills which is the abode of great lord Balaji usually called as lord Venkateswara or Srinivasa. The city is located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, in Chittoor district, located at the foothills of Eastern Ghats. The temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca with the number of pilgrims visiting it.
The term 'Tirupati' is made of two words, where 'Tiru' means 'Sri' and 'Pati' means 'Husband'. Thus, 'Tirupati' suggests 'Maha Vishnu' or 'Lord of Maha Lakshmi'. Tirumala is located atop the hill which comprises of seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam.
Popular as the richest and most opulent temple in the world, this temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history spanning several centuries maintained by Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam (TTD). It is thronged by the devotees all around the year that it is not unusual for pilgrims to stand in line for hours together to witness a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few seconds, which take you to experience the pinnacle of divinity within those few precious seconds standing before God in the temple.
Apart from the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, there are plethora of other temples in and around the city which are worth visiting. In addition to various shrines scattered all over Tirupati and beyond, there are holy water falls, sacred rivers and archaeological wonders too.
Most of the devotees visit the temple to give their offerings on fulfillment of their vows, by either dropping them in Hundi or by tonsuring their heads. Walking up to the tmple is also treated as one offering to God. The path up to the doors of the Tirupati temple is around 12 km, comprising nearly 3500 plus stairs in total as one crosses seven hills.
Tirupati also offers some delicious cuisines reflecting the authentic Rayalaseema food, famous for its spiciness and hot chili flavor.
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