About

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The Tirumala Hills are part of Seshachalam Hills range. The hills are 853 metres (2,799 ft) above sea level and comprise seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha. The temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. The temple was built by Thondaiman King and upgraded and repaired periodically by Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagar kings over the centuries. The first recorded endowment was made by Pallava queen Samavai in the year 966 CE. She donated many jewels and two parcels of land, of 10 and 13 acres, respectively, and ordered use of the revenues generated from that land for the celebration of major festivals in The temple gained most of its current wealth and size under the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century. Emperor Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar empire was a donor and frequent visitor to the temple. His donations of gold and jewels enabled the Ananda Nilayam (inner shrine) roofing to be gilded in gold. The Temple is constructed in South Indian architecture and is believed to be constructed over a period of time starting from 300 CE. The presiding deity, Venkateswara, is in standing posture and faces east in Garbha Gruha. The temple bears as many as 640 inscriptions in Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu languages. There are three entrances which lead to the inner sanctum. Mahadvaram, also known as padikavali, is the first entrance which is provided through Mahaprakaram (outer compound wall). A 50 feet, five storied Gopuram is constructed over this Mahadvaram with seven kalasams at its apex. Vendivakili (Silver Entrance), also known as Nadimipadikavali, is the second entrance and is provided through Sampangi Prakaram (Inner compound wall). A three storied Gopuram is constructed over Vendivakili with seven Kalasams at its apex. Bangaruvakili (golden entrance) is the third entrance which leads into the garbhagriha. There are two tall copper images of the dvarapalakas Jaya-Vijaya on either side of this door. The thick wooden door is covered with gold gilt plates depicting the Dashavatara of Vishnu. There are two circumbulation paths in the temple. The first one is area between the outer and inner walls. This circumambulation path is lined with the dhvajastambham, the platform for offerings, several platforms (mandapa), and administrative seats. The second circumambulation path is within the inner wall and features sub-shrines dedicted to Varadaraja and Yoga Narasimha, platforms, a yagyashala, treasury house, and other administrative seats. This is a three-storied tower with a single golden vase Kalasam at its apex rising over the inner sanctum. It is covered with gilt copper plates. Depictions of several deities are carved over this spire. A small shrine dedicated to Garuda, the mount of Venkateswara, is situated outside the inner sanctum. This sub-shrine has a six feet tall idol of Garuthmantha and faces west, looking at the figure of Sri Venkateswara.