Tirumala Tirupati Temple…… Nestled amidst the lush green Seshachalam Hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is home to the world’s richest and most-visited Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. Millions flock here every year, traversing difficult mountain terrain on foot to get a glimpse of their beloved deity and seek his blessings. This blog takes you through the incredible journey pilgrims undertake to reach Tirumala temple, witness its grandeur first-hand, and be a part of age-old rituals and traditions.
Reaching Tirumala Town on Foot – Testing One’s Devotion
At over 2500 ft above sea level, Tirumala is perched atop the Seshachalam range, which is said to be nearly 500 million years old. Many pilgrims choose to walk the entire 9 km uphill trek from the foothills at Alipiri to feel a stronger connection with the divine, rather than taking shuttle busses that ply along winding roads up to Tirumala.
Braving scorching heat or pouring rain, devotees climb over 2000 steps to reach the hilltop, a journey that symbolizes the soul’s path to spiritual enlightenment. Some apply holy sindoor paste to each step, having taken an oath to do so if their prayers at Tirumala are answered. For the old or physically incapable who still wish to go by foot, wooden seats tied to poles are also available for hire to be carried up by bearers.
Darshan of Lord Venkateswara
Lord Venkateswara’s idol stands majestically inside the temple’s golden Sanctum Sanctorum, adorned in precious silks and jewels. After a strenuous trek uphill and hours spent waiting in long queues, pilgrims get barely a few seconds to see the main deity from afar through precisely aligned doorways. This first sighting, known as darshan, is considered extremely auspicious even if fleeting.
Strict temple rituals govern entry beyond the Sanctum’s final threshold, which remains the exclusive right of specialized priests or Archaks alone. However, a full-scale replica of Tirumala temple allows the devout a more vivid darshan experience from up close. This includes even the innermost chamber housing Lord Venkateswara’s imposing 8 ft black granite idol along with several other embedded representations like Sridevi, Bhudevi, the angry Ugra Narasimha etc. Garuda Seva during annual Brahmotsavam celebrations also sees Lord Malayappa Swami’s processional utsav idols removed from the Sanctum for public viewing.
Tonsuring Heads outside Temple as Ultimate Sacrifice
Post darshan, many pilgrims flock to Kalyanakatta to tonsure their heads outside Koppuram Mandapam as a mark of ultimate sacrifice and ego dissolution before God. Mounds of discarded hair can be witnessed here daily as men, women and children get heads shaved by temple barbers. Some devotees go completely bald while others sport partial muggu, sporting sacred ash and vermilion on clean-shaven scalps. Tonsured hair is later auctioned to international buyers for making hair extensions and wigs.
Prasadam
Following darshan, pilgrims head to Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam Complex to partake in the Mahaprasadam or sanctified temple food that is first offered to Lord Venkateswara as naivedyam. Prepared daily without onion or garlic and served as unlimited buffet meals on banana leaves, the prasadam is satvik vegetarian fare using desi ghee, spices, rice, dal, vegetables etc. costing only ₹25 per head. It comprises a wholesome spread of nutritious dishes that provides visitors instant energy after their long, weary journey.
Savouring the Famous Tirupati Laddu
No Tirumala darshan feels complete without savouring their world-famous laddu, which holds pride of place among all Indian mithais. Sold for just ₹50 across over 50 designated counters, over 3 lakh laddus get sold here daily. Prepared from fine quality chickpea flour, cashew nuts, cardamom and generously laden with ghee, these melt-in-mouth golden balls bear the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) logo as their unique GI tag. The entire manufacturing process right from boiling the batter to shaping, frying and packing the laddus happens in situ under strict norms within the temple complex itself. After offering to the Lord, they are finally made available to the public and get snapped up instantly!
Splendid Annual Brahmotsavam Festivities
By far the grandest temple celebration, the 9-day annual Brahmotsavam Utsav draws over 10 lakh devotees excitedly participating in the spectacle. Commemorating Lord Venkateswara’s mythical arrival on Earth, festivities kick off with the awe-inspiring Garuda Seva where his processional idol is taken around Mada Streets on a magnificent eagle-shaped vehicle. This is followed by other vahanams like Hamsa, Simha, Muthya ashta etc. on subsequent days which represent religious symbols or characters from Lord Venkateswara’s mythology. Intricate rituals are performed each time with chanting priests and singers adding to the devotional fervor. The decorations and overall scale of festivities have to be witnessed in person to truly grasp its glory!
Serving Spiritual Sustenance to Millions
On regular days, anywhere between 50,000 to over a lakh visitors stream into Tirumala for Lord Venkateswara’s darshan. Challenges are manifold – handling massive crowds flocking from worldwide, ensuring smooth visitor movement, providing accommodation, safety, amenities as well as free food. Employment opportunities are tremendous and the local economy benefits significantly from tourism revenues.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams or TTD administration works round-the-clock with military precision to ensure the entire system runs like clockwork. Revenue generated from hundi donations and laddu sales at Sri Venkateswara temple comes to nearly ₹2,000+ crores annually. These substantial funds are utilized in propagating Hindu dharma globally, through various social initiatives, Vedic education, healthcare access, disaster relief etc thus benefitting society.
Visiting the Abode of Ultimate Truth and Infinite Bliss
Devotees believe Lord Venkateswara resides in Tirumala forever as their guardian, bestowing wealth, health and happiness upon the faithful. Each pilgrim parting with scarce money or material possessions considers it well worth the rewards they anticipate receiving in return – be it healing from terminal illness, bearing a child, desire fulfilment or simply mental peace. Once inside the temple, all mortal agony vanishes as they become one with the divine in those magical moments of darshan. The unparalleled joy and satisfaction gleaned from this act of divine communion is what brings millions repeatedly flocking back year after year to Tirumala as staunch devotees!
This 7 sacred hill abode nestled amidst the stunning natural bounty of Seshachalam range is indeed Hindu dharma’s priceless gem. Tirumala’s Supreme Lord Venkateshwara continues to attract global spiritual seekers belonging to all cultures and faiths into his divine fold. Surrender yourself fully and he shall surely grant you your heart’s deepest longing when you next visit Tirumala, the ultimate pilgrim destination for Hindus worldwide!
FAQs:
How many steps are there in Tirumala Temple?
There are about 3500 steps leading up the hill to reach Tirumala temple from Alipiri foothills. Many pilgrims climb these on foot as a sign of devotion.
What is Tirumala temple’s architecture style?
Tirumala Temple was built under the patronage of Pallava kings during the 7th century AD in classic Dravidian style, characterized by lofty pyramidal gopurams and pillared halls or Mandapams.
How many years old is Tirumala Temple?
There are no exact records mentioning Tirumala Temple’s origin date. However, as per legends, it is believed to have been constructed over 2000 years ago. The current temple structure dates back roughly 1300 years.
How much money does Tirupati Temple make per day?
On average, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) generates anywhere between ₹150 to 200 crores revenue per annum from offerings and donations at Tirupati Temple. This comes upto over ₹50 lakhs daily.
Why do devotees get their head tonsured at Tirumala?
Tonsuring the head is seen as a sacrifice devotees make to the Lord, letting go of their ego or ‘I’ . Removing hair, which represents vanity is admitting oneself as a mere servant before their supreme master, Lord Venkateswara.