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Andhra Pradesh
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The powerful chanting inside Sri Venkateswara Temple exudes a positive energy that stays with you long after you have left the sanctum.
A visit to this temple is the highlight of any trip to Tirupati. The mad rush, non-stop chanting, high security, heavily adorned idol and the compelling aura around the deity – everything about Tirupati is simply alluring. Nothing more, nothing less. The Venkateshwara temple is a is a religious landmark and is thronged by masses of people perrenially. The temple is also referred to as the “Temple of seven hills” and is spread over a massive 26.75 sq.kms of area. Shri Venkateshwara temple is the wealthiest temple in the Indian subcontinent because of the number of donations offered every year. The temple provides food to the pilgrims, includes pilgrim lodging centers and hair tonsure buildings. To visit Tirupati Balaji, is finding tranquility among chaos.
Visit Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple: The most popular tourist destination and religious attraction in the city, it is located on the Tirumala hilltop, 18 kilometres from Tirupati. Millions of devotees come here to get a glimpse of the eight-foot tall idol of Lord Venkateswara adorned with gold, diamonds and flowers and standing under the gilded dome, Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana.
Discover Sri Kalahasti Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri Kalahasti Temple is an hour’s drive from Tirupati and should be visited if you are planning a trip to Tirupati. It is reflective of the Chola and Vijayanagara styles of architecture. Famous for its Vayu Linga, which represents wind, Sri Kalahasti Temple is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Stalams. Do not forget to visit this place if you plan a trip to Tirupati.
Savour the local cuisine: Whether it’s the laddu maha prasadam from Tirupati Balaji Temple, an authentic South Indian fare at a local restaurant or a delicious cup of filter coffee, Tirupati is a foodie’s delight. Some popular eateries are Andhra Spice, Hyderabad House and Maurya Restaurant.
Do try and visit Tirupati during the celebration of their various festivals, the air is charged with energy as masses of people negotiate the crowd to pay their respects to the deity. The experience is surreal.
Try the Prasadam offered to pilgrims by the temple, its the famous “Tirupati ladoo”. Tirupati Laddu had got Geographical indication tag which entitles only Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to make or sell it.Many other prasadams are also available including daddojanam (curd rice), puliohora (tamarind rice), vada and chakkera-pongali (sweet pongal), miryala-pongali, Appam, Paayasam, Jilebi, Muruku, Dosa, seera (kesari), Malhora. Free meals are given daily to the pilgrims. On Thursdays, the Tirupavada seva is conducted, where food items are kept as naivedyam to Lord Venkateswara.
Don't forget to collect the prasadam after your Tirupati darshan
Book your trip to Tirupati temple darshan at least a month in advance as about 60,000 pilgrims visit it every day, making it one of the most visited temples in the world. You can also book a VIP break darshan that gets you inside the main chamber within four hours.
The Tirupati temple is amongst the richest temples in the world. You will see people giving away bags of gold and other valuables at the Sri Vari Hundi here. It is believed that up to a whopping Rs. 650 crores are collected in donations every year.
Story behind the donations: It is believed that Lord Srinivasa had to make arrangements for his wedding. Lord Kubera credited money to Lord Venkateswara (a form of the god Vishnu) for his marriage with Padmavathi. Together, Srinivasa and Padmavathi lived for all eternity while Goddess Lakshmi, understanding the commitments of Lord Vishnu, chose to live in his heart forever. In remembrance of this, devotees go to Tirupati to donate money in Venkateswara's hundi (donation pot) so that he can pay it back to Kubera. The hundi collections go as high as 22.5 million INR a day. Devotees offer gold as a token of their love for God.
However, there are very strict rules that need to be followed while visiting the temple. Hoardings with these regulations can be found all around Tirupati.
Budget: Rs. 16,000 (inclusive of hotel, car hire and food)
Distance from Bangalore: 267 kilometres
Traveller type: All
