Tirupathi is situated at 67-km
from Chittoor in the state of AndhraPradesh, India. Tirupathi is one of the
important pilgrim centres in India. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri
Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the
Tirupathi Hill. This historic shrine of Sri Venkateswara is famous all over the
country and attracts pilgrims from all over the country who stand in line for
hours together to obtain a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few fleeting
seconds. The shrine is located on a hill at Tirumala, a cluster of seven hills
known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam with an elevation of 853m (2, 800ft.)
above the sea level. It is said to be the richest temple in the world. This
temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history
spanning several centuries. All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern
peninsula paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine.
Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple is
located in Tiruchanoor, which is about 5 km from the Tirumala Hills. The main
deity of the temple is Goddess Padmavathi, who is believed to have married Lord
Venkateswara. This temple was built during the reign of Thondaman Chakravarthy
and it is believed that devotees should first visit this temple before offering
prayers at Sri Venkateswara Temple.
Padmavathi was the daughter of
Akasha Raja of Thondamandalam, who was found in a lotus, when he performed a
great yagna. Since she was found in a lotus, she was named Padmavathi and was married
to Lord Venkateswara. She is also called as Alamelu Manga, meaning an
inexhaustible source of love and compassion.
The VarasiddhiVinayakar Temple in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India is a famous Hindu temple,
located near the beach in Besant Nagar. It is dedicated to the Hindu elephant
god Vinayaka or Ganesha. The temple participates in activities such as feeding
the poor and holds poojas frequently.
Lord
Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala(Tirupati) is one of the most famous temples in
India. With more than 35 million pilgrims visiting the temple every year, it is
one of the most visited holy places and also one of the richest temples in the
world. Built on the Venkata Hill, which is a part of the famous Seshachalam
Hills, Tirupati Temple is considered as one of the holiest shrines by the
Hindus. According to a legend, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Sri Venkateswara
to save mankind fromthe adversities of Kali Yuga.
There are many
legends associated with the origin of this age-old temple. The larger than life
statue of the main deity is said to have formed on its own, making it one of
the eight ‘SwayambhuKshetras’ (self-manifested image) of Lord Vishnu. Many
ancient texts, including the Rig Veda mention the existence and prominence of
the temple. Written texts, which are dated back to the Mauryan and Gupta era,
refer the temple as ‘AadhiVarahaKshetra’. In fact, many other texts and
theories link the history of Tirupati Temple to Lord Varaha, one of the ten avatars
of Lord Vishnu. According to a legend, Lord Varaha created the entire
Seshachalam Hills so that Adisesha, the seven-headed snake on which Vishnu
rests, could rest on earth. Interestingly, Seshachalam Hills has seven peaks,
which are said to bethe representation of the heads of Adisesha.
As far as the
construction of the temple is concerned, King Thondaiman of Tondaimandalam
kingdom constructed the precincts and the towering gateway (Gopuram) of the
temple. He also made sure his subjects worshipped the Lord regularly.
Bhu Varaha Swamy temple is a
Hindu temple, located at Srimushnam, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is dedicated to
Varaha (Bhu Varaha Swamy), the boar-avatar of the god Vishnu and his consort
Lakshmi as Ambujavalli Thayar. The temple had contributions from Medieval
Cholas of the 10th century with later expansions by Thanjavur Nayak king
Achuthappa Nayak.
The Hanuman Temple is located
near Tirupati and is placed at a distance of 3 km from Gogarbham Dam. It is
believed that Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana stayed here with Hanuman.
The place is also known as Japali as Lord Hanuman observed penance here. There
is also a pond called Rama Kund within the temple premises. This place is
believed to have been blessed by Lord Hanuman as he himself got peace of mind
in this place. It is believed that anybody who prays at this place will find
Supreme truth.
One can find this rock structurewhile heading back to tirupati form Tirumala hills. Garuda rock structure is
clearly visible from ghat section. It is a natural formation ofgaruda shape in
Tirumala hills.
Venkateshwara rock structure
formation on a rock hill which is right just below the windmill, pilgrims who
climb hills can check this view on the seventh hill which is venkatadri hill,
it is right at the turning of last hill.
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