Tirumala Tirupati

Tirumala Tirupati – a land of spirituality, the stories that weave the minds of millions. This abode on the holy hill in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh is not only a pilgrimage center but a place filled with mysteries that have haunted the believers since centuries. At Tirumala Tirupati, architecture is marred by awe, divine energy, and ancient legends; it is one of the most visited temples in the world and still holds secrets that baffles even the most inquisitive visitors.

The Divine Aura of Tirumala Tirupati
The Venkateswara Temple is located at the heart of Tirumala Tirupati. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, thousands and thousands of devotees from all over the world visit this place solely due to devotion coupled with the feeling of peace the temple embues. The temple is as old as thousands of years into its existence yet as mystical as it ever has been.

The seven hills, here called Seshachalam Hills, on which the temple stands are said to be a type of adorning Adisesha, the serpent that is the seat of Lord Vishnu. Each hill is given the name of a head of the cosmic snake, making this more mystical than one could think. Even in the architectural shape of the temple atop the hills, a feeling of divine intervention prevails.

Hair Mystery of Lord Venkateswara
It is thought that the most mysterious part of the Lord Venkateswara is hair. It is said that the God’s hair is always smooth and silky, and the reason for that fact is just that the idol is stone. While the others might have hair carved from the stone which never moves, the Lord’s hair changes with different qualities, similar to the human one.

According to one popular legend, Lord Venkateswara had lost a portion of his hair during a mishap in the heavens. The maiden Neela Devi saw it and offered her own hair so that the Lord’s appearance was not marred. Overwhelmed with her devotion, the Lord accepted her gift and blessed her to be on his crown forever. The divine contribution of her hair has a shiny silky smooth appearance.

This has been the mystery for centuries, there and then captivating the visitors, sending off science and religious scholars to an abstruse reason for this unique feature. Even nowadays, even modern tests and close inspections could not unmask this mystery.

The Unquenchable Lamps
Yet another mystery of the temple is its oil lamps in the sanctum that people believe are burning continuously, having never been relit for thousands of years. Such lamps located deep inside the Garbhagriha-the inner shrine-have reportedly been glowing for thousands of years. Nobody knows when or how they were first lit and, though people have tried to douse them or analyze the oil, they are mystified.

Many people believe that these eternal lamps signify the presence of Lord Venkateswara to be present in this world eternally. The priests in the temple treat the lamps as sacred, and devotees see the lamps as a constant reminder that the divine is always watching over them.

The Unsolved Mystery of the Idol Temperature
It has another great feature related to the temperature of the idol itself. The stone idol of Lord Venkateswara, despite being atop a hill, where the temperatures tend to go widely erratic, remains always at a warm temperature, baffling priests and scientists alike.

Moreover, on special rituals when priests bathe the idol with water, milk, or other substances, it is seen that steam is rising from the body of the deity. However, this appears irrespective of the outside temperature, which leads people to speculate that inside the idol must be some divine source of energy providing it a perpetually warm ambiance.

They believe that it is warm because this is the living presence of the Lord as He stays on Earth to bless his devotees.

The Miraculous Pilgrimage of Tirupati Laddu
No trip to Tirumala is ever complete without a taste of the worldfamous Tirupati Laddu. Little known, however, is that even the laddu has its magical story. Handed out in hundreds of thousands daily, the temple kitchen, or the Potu as it’s called, never runs short of laddus.

The numbers of pilgrims are simply staggering, yet it seems impossible that all these laddus can be prepared and made daily, yet somehow they never run out. You may arrive at dawn, or you may come late into the evening; there is always a fresh laddu ready for you, adding to the divine aura of abundance at Tirumala.

Many devotees believe that the Lord himself ensures that his prasadam, or offering, is never in short supply. The laddu is pure ghee, flour, sugar, and dried fruits all combined, which, in itself, becomes a symbol of divine grace and, for many pilgrims, a deeply spiritual experience when received.

The Legend of the Lord’s Debt
The legend which is most talked about and interesting about Lord Venkateswara has to be that of debt. It is understood that when he was on earth, Lord Venkateswara borrowed an amount of money from Lord Kubera, the god of wealth, to settle the costs of his wedding with Goddess Padmavati. The loan was so enormous that Lord is said to be repaying it till date through the offerings that the devotees make to him.

This fascinating fable educates the believers on why the devotees give humongous amounts of money at the temple. They believe that through gifting something to the temple, they are assisting Lord Venkateswara to repay his loan to Kubera. According to some, until the amount is repaid, he will never leave this earth but roam around granting boons to his devotees instead of their assistance.

The Sacred Footprint
Another mystery is the sacred footprint situated just a few hundred meters from the temple. It is said that Lord Venkateswara, in his descent from Vaikuntha, which is heaven, while passing by the mountain, left his divine footprint on a boulder near the temple. Sripada Theertham is said to be one of the several sanctums very sacred, and devotees are often sure to see it during their pilgrimage.

As this has been exposed to the elements for centuries, it remains visible, and many are left wandering in the dark. The sacred footprint is yet another reminder of the divine presence, which still catches the imagination of millions of pilgrims.

How to Travel to Tirumala Tirupati

A Pilgrimage Like No Other: Visiting Tirumala Tirupati
Visiting Tirumala Tirupati is an experience, where one does not feel like traveling since the entire pilgrimage to this sacred hill town, be it from within India or from abroad is well-organised and accessible.

By Air: The closest airport to Tirumala is Tirupati Airport that is 15 km away from the city. One can easily get flights from major cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, which brings tourist traffic into the city. From the airport, taxi hire or public transport is available for the tourists to reach Tirumala.

Train: Tirupati has its railway station and is well connected to other parts of India. This city has regular trains running from Chennai, Hyderabad, etc. and other metro cities such as Bengaluru, etc. From there, you can take a bus or cab to reach Tirumala.

By Road: Tirupati is well connected by road from all major cities of South India. It is 135 km from Chennai, 250 km from Bengaluru and 560 km from Hyderabad. APSRTC buses are available frequently from these cities. The road to Tirumala is also in great condition and the ride will be smooth.

Once you are in Tirupati, there are two ways to reach the hilltop of Tirumala:

By Foot: Many pilgrims like to walk up the hill on the Srivari Mettu or Alipiri Mettu footpaths. The journey is spiritually enriching with beauty all around.
By Bus or Car: Buses and private vehicles are available for the ride up the hill. The lush green hills and peaceful surroundings can be seen from the vehicle.

Places to Visit Around Tirumala Tirupati
Not only the Tirumala Temple but several other beautiful and historical spots make a great spot for a day’s outing.

Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple is situated at the foothills of Tirumala. This is one among the temples of the Lord Shiva. A serene place surrounded by the beauty of nature, where the holy cascade of Kapila Theertham has made it more beautiful.

Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple:- This temple is situated at Tiruchanur, which is located 5 kilometers from Tirupati. Here the shrine is for Goddess Padmavathi who is the consort of Lord Venkateswara. Devotees usually visit this shrine after visiting Tirumala.

Srikalahasti Temple: 37 kms from Tirupati. This is a wonderful Lord Shiva temple and in particular with the presence of Vayu Lingam representing air. The carving and architecture are exquisite as well as its spiritual potent. It must be visited.

There is the Chandragiri Fort, an interesting place for history lovers. The fort at around 15 km from Tirupati was once the stronghold of the Vijayanagara kings. The views are breathtaking at the fort while there is a small museum that has some of the artifacts here in this region.

Talakona Waterfalls This is one of the waterfalls located within a circle of 50 km from Tirupati, in case you are in the mood to enjoy some natural beauty. The highest waterfall of Andhra Pradesh surrounds the forest area perfect for a relaxing nature retreat.

Silathoranam: Silathoranam is an ancient archeological rock formation taking on a natural appearance of an arched structure and placing itself near the Tirumala temple. It is a single form of geological miracle, and it has religious value since it has been taken as a symbol of the presence of Lord Venkateswara.

ISKCON Temple: Situated near Tirupati, the ISKCON temple is known for its silent ambiance and the beautiful deities of Lord Krishna and Radha. It is a great place to meditate and contemplate.

Tips for Smooth Visitation
Accommodation should be well in advance booked. Millions of tourists visit this place annually. It is better to book the accommodation in Tirumala a long time in advance. The TTD provides various options for accommodation-from small, budgetary rooms to more comfortable lodgings.
Darshan Timings: Darshan time at the temple is pretty limited and will surely get booked for festival seasons. The best time will be checking the official TTD website for availing the darshan timings.
The dress code: Visitors must put on the traditional dress during visits to the temple. Men must wear dhotis or trousers and shirts, while women go on in sarees or salwar kameez. This will ensure their free entry into the temple, and apart from it, they are not allowed to wear any western clothing.
Stay hydrated: If you are going to climb up, don’t forget to carry water and light snacks along with you, as the trip may take about a few hours depending on your steps and you need hydrating.
Tirumala Tirupati, a shrine drenched in the richness of its spirituality and history, is, by every definition, more than a religious destination-it’s a journey to the heart of India’s cultural and divine heritage. It’s either going to seek blessings or just explore mysteries and the beauty of the region; you will definitely never forget it.