Tirumalai (Tirupathi), Koil (Srirangam-Trichy) and Perumal Koil (Varadaraja swamy temple-Kancheepuram) are the foremost of the 108 Sri Viashnavite divyadesams. (Holy Temples of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations) The three Vaishnavite temples form the cradles where Vishistadvaita philosophy flourished. The principle of Vishistadvaita is that there is an absolute being which is the source and substratum of all that exists. The omnipotent Supreme Being is what we worship as Lord Mahavishnu.
PRAPATHYEH TAM GIRIM PRAAYAHA SRINIVAASAANUKAMPAYAA
IKSHUSAARA SRAVANTHYEVA YANMOORTHYAA SARKARAAYITAM
These are the first verses of Daya Satakam written by Swami Vedanta Desika describing the Lord of Kaliyuga as the abode of bliss called Vaikunta. The formation of Tirumala is the result of the sweet flowing river of Cane sugar juice, which has solidified to become the mountain of Thiruvenkatam formed by the Lord’s Dhayaa. I offer my prapatti (Surrender) to that mountain, which has become the embodiment of the Lord’s Dhayaa .The churning of the Ocean of Dhaya of Sri Venkatesa yields the nectar, which is the divine and auspicious Vigraham of Srinivasa. That Vigraham made entirely of Suddha Satvam is standing on top of Thirumala. This most beautiful Archaa Vigraham removes the fear of Yama to Prapannaas and gurantees them the fruits of Moksham. Such is the power of this auspicious and beautiful Archaa Murthy of the seven hills.(Saptagiri )
Many names of one Lord- Tiruvengadam, Vengadam, Tirumalai, Vadamalai, Venkatadri, Venkatachalam, Vrishabhadri, Garudadri, Seshadri, Anjanadri, Narayanadri, Nrismhadri (from the seven peaks), Srinivasa, Venkatesa, Balaji, Venkataramana & guess one more
The Temple-The Most visited in the world
Being the Vaikuntam of Kaliyuga, the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, the noble and the thief, the good and the bad, every soul which is born in the Hindu fraternity makes it mandatory to visit the Lord’s abode at the Pushakarini which started 10 Centuries ago with Ramanuja, to pay their prayers, wash their sins and wish for goodness.
In the Sanctum Sanctorum called Garba Graha, stands the tall Idol of Majestic Lord Venkateswara at 8 feet believed to be self manifested (Swayambu) below the Ananda nilaya divya vimana. He is the black lord with Sridevi and Bhudevi (Mother earth) on the chest. The white chin of the lord is filled by Pacha Karpooram ( camphor ) for the blow inflicted by Sri Kulasekharazhvvar. Everyone who takes a glimpse of the Lord for the few seconds that you will get will forget the thought of worshipping him for Moksha (heaven) and only desire to have another glimpse of the Lord ( Prapatti-surrender to him)
The Place-celestial abode of the world
Situated in the eastern Ghats at the southern tip of Andhra Pradesh, it is 140 kms from Chennai and 200 kms from Bangalore. You can walk up the seven hills sketching 7 kms or take any transport from Tirupathi which is incidentally my birth place (I have taken the route by foot more than 20 times.)
The Darshans-The Lord hardly sleeps.
The Lord is made to wake up with the eternal song-Suprabhatam ( Rs 120.00 at 2.30 AM) which says-“all the three worlds are under your rule, wake up my child”. It is followed by Tomala Seva when the God is decorated with flowers.
It follows with the Archanandara Darsanam ( Rs 200.00 at 4.30 AM) in which you can pray the God from close quarters during the archana of Lord by the priests .It is continued by Sarvadarshanam (Free Darshan). Darshan of the Lord takes many hours of waiting and queuing and us such Sudarshan Token system has been introduced which gives you a tag to go at the time of Darshan specified for Rs 50/-.Two Laddus are offered free with Sudarshan Token. The day ends for the God at 12.00 Midnight with Ekanta seva. Anga Pardakshinam ( Paradhaksan by rolling with wet clothes around the Garba Graha) can also be performed.
You can also perform Kalyana ustavam of Utsava Murthi by sending a demand draft to the Peishkar TTD for Rs 1000/- 2 months in advance which includes free darshan plus prasadam (Big Laddu, wada and four small Laddus)
Brahmotsavam-Pomp and glory
Brahmostavam in celebrated in a glittering fashion where the Utsava Murthi namely Malayapa is taken in possession preceding the Unjal seva around the four mada streets and the sight is simply beholding during this week’s Navratri and millions flock the Temple town for the sight. The Pallaki utsavam is the culmination of nine day festival with chakrasnanam in the Pushkarini with holy dip.
The Dates-Please check from comments
Accommodation-Book in advance
All the Darshans and accommodation can be booked in advance on the net or in TTD offices across the Country. Even Darshan tickets can be booked along with accommodation.
Laddu-Sweat as nectar
The Laddu is the one Prasadam which every devotee wants to taste and the Potu makes million Laddus during Brahmostavam days. Free Food is offered to all pilgrims who visit the temple town. For those who want to have paid meal, they have to pick the three restaurants around the Temple.
Other Temples/Places connected with Tirumala
On the Hills-Varahaswamy Temple, Papvinasam, Hayagreeva Temple, Akasa Ganga
Below around Tirupathi-Srinivasa Mangapuram-Chandragiri, Padmavathi Temple-Tiruchanoor, Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple, Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Kapilatheertham.
Tirumala-the Power centre of Holiness.
The second richest temple in the world after Vatican receives revenues to the tune of 350 crores a year which includes the Hundi offerings of Amabanis and Big Bs to the tune of a million every year. Where there is money, power and politics will be centred around and the result is that Tirumala Tirpathi Devasthanam is one of the most corrupt in the world, the State Government wields its arms into the Temple Premises and the Sanctity and purity of the Temple cherished by Sages for Centuries is bigoted. A symbol of commercialism is that a Laddu cover is sold for Rs 2/- by the bastions of the richest Temple.
Many a times, I keep thinking, why not pick one of the small temples of the 108 Divyadesams and worship god where there is only you and God, one to one trying to attain the maximum satisfaction and peace in mind.
But Alas, the Vadamalayan God keeps calling me because I am on this earth because of him and the penance and duties of my Parents to him.
This rev is basically on God whom I have worshipped in close quarters from childhood being born there and for mistakes if any, my apologies to him.
Aadhi Purushaa Akhilaantharangaa Bhudhevathaaramana Bhogindhrashayanaa-Saint Anamacharya on Lord Venkateswara
Thanks for reading and may God bless you all for happiness and attainment.
Photos-Credit-The Hindu