Mantralayam Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy - Mantralayam

                                              Mantralayam Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy

Mantralaya is a town in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh that lies on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. Today it is one of the most important towns in the country as it is a great religious centre and lakhs of devotees come here every year. This is the town which boasts of the presence of the Vrindavana of Guru Raghavendra Swami, a Madhwa saint who was a follower of Sri Madhwacharya. Thus the greatest attraction for mostly Vaishnavites here is the Raghavendra Swamy temple and the Math complex that is filled with people every year. It is believed that the saint was a reincarnation of Bhakti Prahlad who was a great follower of Lord Vishnu. Legend says that Prahlad saved the Lords life many times and ultimately Vishnu took the form of Narasimha and killed Prahlad’s father, thus releasing him from great evil. Raghavendra was a great humanitarian and it is said that throughout his life he has helped people and perfirmedmany miracles in his hey day. Thus even today, there is a great amount of followers of this saint. Raghavendra Swamy temple is one of the main attractions in Mantralayam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple architecture is brilliant with many inscriptions, structures and paintings all around. The calm and aesthetic atmosphere in the temple is inviting. There are also other temples that are of great importance here. Mantralayam tourism also offers pilgrimage trips to Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple, Chinna Tumbalam, Bichchali, Urukunda and Alampur. A place that is easily connected by road, this is one town that should be visited for its unique feature. A sect of followers and a different culture always is one of the biggest learning experiences.

It is believed that Guru Raghavendra Swami is in the Vrindavana from the past 339 years and is believed to be in the Vrindavana for another 361 years. While entering the Vrindavana, Guru Raghavendra Swami stated that he would be there (in the Vrindavana) for 700 years.

The First Incarnation Of Sri Prahlada:-

Sri prahlada was the dear son of sri lilavathi and Hiranyakasipu. Even while in his mother 's womb, he was initiated into worship of Lord Narayana,by the sage Narada .Ever since birth ,he had been absorbed in the repetition of Lord Hari's name. He had no thought of this world.
Hiranyakasipu, who considered Lord Narayana as his sworn enemy, did not like his son's behaviour. He sent his son, Prahlada, to the teachers of the demonrace, Chanda and Marka, in the hope of reforming him and educating him to be good and virtuous. Prahlada had no taste for the kind of instruction imparted by his teachers. He paid no heed to anything other than the meditation on the Lord. He began to teach his fellow -demon pupils the greatness of praying to Lord.

Narayana and led them to join him in singing the praises of Lord. Hiranyakasipu sent for the boy and asked him to recite a verse which he had learnt from his teachers. Thereupon ,the prodigy repeated a verse extolling the devine qualities of Lord and the efficacy of praying to him in these words.
Those hands deserve the name that worship the Lord:
The tongue which praises the Lord,desrve to be called so:
The sight that beholds the Lord,deverse its name:
The head that bows to Seshasayi(one who reclines onthe serpent -king Lord Adisesha) is fit to be called so:
He then affirmed fearlessly that his mind which was drunk with the nectar of the meditation onthe Lotus feet of Lord(Narayana).could not rest on any thing else.

The father then angrily demanded of him to say where Lord Hari is present ;
The boy instantly replied;
"Donot dought the presence of the Lord in one place or another.Chakri (the bearer of the wheel Vishnu) is present wherever you seek him in the world". In the end, Hiranyakasipu subjected prahlada to many cruel tortures inthe hope of making him giveup his devotion to Lord Vishnu.He caused the boy to be trampled over by elephants.He had the boy thrown down the slopes of mountains, immersed in the ocean ,cast into a blazing fire ,bitten by venomous serpants and even made him partake of a cup of the vilest poison.Prahlada came out unscathed and undeterred,because of his abiding and unflinching faith in Lord Vishnu. In utter disgust ,hiranyakasipu called his son and demanded of him to show his god,whome he had descibed omnipresent,in an adjacent pillar.Prahlada humbly but firmly agreed to do so .In his inveterato anger and arrogance,Hiranyakasipu struck the pillar with his mace .Instantaneously Lord Hari emerged from the pillar, in the manifestation of the man -lion;

"Satyam vidhatum nijabhritya bhashitam"

To prove the veracity of his devotee, Prahlada the Lord emerged from the pillar to destroy the tormentor of the world and hater of god. None of the gods or even goddess Lakshmi be calm the enraged and ferocious Man Lion. There upon Lord Brahma requested Prahlada to becalm and please the Lord, as they thought he alone was capable of doing it.
So, Prahlada prayed to the Lord in deep devotion and begged him to protect the mankind and the unverse, to redeem him from the ocean of rebirth and to grant his father a place in heaven, Lord Narasimha who is always meciful to his devoties, appriciated the sinceare devotion of Prahlada becalmed himself and granted him many boons, besides bringing cheer to the gods by the resumptionof his pleasing looks. He anoined Prahlada as king and ordained that the latter should merge in him after discharging his duties and enjoying worldly pleasures as king .There upon, the Lord disappeared.
In obedience to the Lords ordainment, Prahlada ruled over his kingdom for long years and ultimately merged himself in Lord Vishnu.

 
The Second  Incarnation Of Sri Vysaraya:-

 
Sri Vyasaraya is one of the most reputed among the propagators of the Dwaita(Dualism) philosophy. He was born of pious parents called Seethamma and Ramacharya. He had his early education from Sri Sripadaraya. Later he adorned the pontific seat of the Dwaita School of Philosophy, a repository of the teachings of knowledge , devotion and detachment . In appreciation of his deep devotion, Lord Gopal Krishna would converse with him and even dance before him. As his teacher, Sri Sripadaraya had seen this with his own eyes, his affection for Sri Vyasaraya swelled all the more. Sri Vyasaraya wrote celebrated works such as "Tatparyachandrika" , " Tarakatandavamu " and "Nyayamrutamu".
Once while Sri Vyasaraya was at the shrine of Tirumala , the worship of Sri Venkateswara was hampered. He was asked by King Salva Narasimha Raja to offer worhip on his behalf (to Sri Venkateswara) . In pursuance of this expressed desire, Sri Vyasaraya conducted worship of Sri Venkateswara for twelve years according to the traditions and rites sanctioned by the Vedas and the sastras and earned the grace of the Lord.

During the reign of Sri Krishna Deva Raya once the ruler was afflicted with a disease named "Kuhu" and he was restless with suffering. He consulted some astrologers who examined his horoscope and suggested that he would be rid of it if he forsook his throne.
Sri Krishna Deva Raya decided to relinquish his throne and was in search of a proper person to take his place as ruler. He sent out his state elephant with a garland in his trunk and offered to appoint as king whomsoever the elephant garlanded . The elephant left the city reached the forest and trumpcated before a cave when Sri Vyasaray who was performing penance came out of the cave , he garlanded Sri Vyasaraya.
The royal servants who accompanied the elephant informed Sri Vyasaraya of the kings Order. Considering the elephant's action as a divine command. Sri Vyasaraya agreed to ascend the throne. With great exultation, Sri Krishna Deva Raya offered the throne as a gift to Sri Vyasaraya Swami.
Some time after Sri Vyasaraya had commenced his reign, there were impending signs of the dreaded "kuhu" disease. He descended from the throne and leaving his upper garment on it , stood at a distance.At once , the cloth caught fire and was soon reduced to ashes. The courtiers were astonishes. They praised the greatness of the Swami. The danger of the "Kuhu" disease was averted and Sri Krishna Deva Raya's life was saved.Sri Vyasaraya told the king that he was freed from the dangerous effects of the disease and asked him to re-ascend the throne and rule the people according to the discuss of Dharma.
Sri Krishna Deva Raya obeyed the Swami's command and began to rule over his empire.
Sri Vyasaraya who had performed great penance won the grace of the Lord and written various works of philosophy founded many shrines of Sri Anjaneya in the country.
Devotees well know that the Yanthroddhara Pranadeva's image was consecrated by Sri Vyasaraya at Hampi which shrine is called 'The giver of all boons to devotees'.
Sri Vyasaraya preached to the world for many years that "Lord Hari is the greatest god" and "Vayu is the greatest Jeeva" and, after winning universal fame, being worshipped by his devotees and adorning the supreme seat of the Dwaita philosophy for ninety years, attained the Brindavan on the banks of the Tungabhadra River , near Anegondi on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of phalguna of the year Hevilambi . At this place besides him eight pontific heads of the Dwaita School have entered Samadhi. So this place is called "Nava Brindavan".

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple:-


Mantralayam, famed as a holy place by virtue of the Samadhi of a renowned saint Raghavendra Teertha, is a most sought religious location by Vaishnavites (Devotees of Lord Vishnu). Mantralayam, in the border of the states Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, is a calm and tiny hamlet in Andhra Pradesh.

Situated along the banks of river Tungabhadra, Mantralayam is a place blessed by the presence of Guru Raghavendra in his human form and thereafter in the form of a gracious atma(soul). The picturesque location of the place itself makes the people suffering from numerous miseries of life very calm and patient. Earlier known as Manchala teertha, today it is popular as Guru Raghavendraswamys Mutt.Location Mantralayam is situated along the river Tungabhadra in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh,in India. Air: Hyderabad (351 km) is the nearest airport. Rail: Mantralayam Road on the Chennai- Mumbai rail route is a convenient alighting station. From here, the holy town of Mantralayam is 15 km. Road: Regular APSRTC buses ply from Kurnool, Adoni, Hyderabad and many other places. It is 595 Kms. from Madras and 690 kms. from Mumbai and 360 Kms. from Hyderabad.
The venerable seat of Madhva Matacharya sitting in the holy Brindavan is 300 years old. Sri Raghavendra Thirtha has taken birth at the instance of Mahavishnu in Kaliyuga to restore moral order on our earth and taking the mankind towards pantheism. With his extra-ordinary genius he vanquished several pandits and won many titles like "Mahabashayacharya", "Venkata Bhatta" and was appointed as "Asthana Pandit". He was having a wife called Saraswathi and son named as Lakshminarayana. Saraswathi died, on learning that her husband renounced the wordly life. He became Pitadhipati at the instance of his Guru Sri Sudheendra Thirtha and commenced his journey for the propogation of lofty ideals and to establish Dharma.
On his journey, with his super natural powers he turned an illiterate man like Venkanna as a scholar, gave life to the dead son of Raghunatha Desai, made the pieces of meat, mischievously offered by Nawab of Adoni into fragrant flowers and fresh fruits and offered to the dieties, cured incurable stomache ache of Mallappa Scindia and prevailed upon Sri Thomas Munro to resume the Jagir gifted away by Nawab of Adoni. A Little More about Mantralaya Shri Raghavendra, the incarnation of Vayu and Prahalad, is one saint/guru who has been practicing the principles of Madhava. He is one of the greatest guru’s born in the 16th century. He has been helping and blessings the people from all walks of life since 16th century. He has been living in his Brindavan (a tomb made of stone) for the last 3 centuries and continues to stay for the next four hundred years and bless his devotees. He is known as the miracle god and he resides in his tomb in a small town called Matralayam (Miracle Place) in Andhra Pradesh, India. People from all walks of life and from all over the world go to Mantralaya to seek his blessings.

Dharshan Of Mantralayam Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy:-

Thungabadra river flows through the town. It is good to have a holy dip there and proceed to the temple. You can have a beautiful dharshan of the Sri Raghavendra brindavanam. In the evenings, usually, there will be three different chariots with Bhaktha Prahladha in them going around the brindavanam: wooden chariot, silver chariot and golden chariot. It is believed that Sri Raghavendra is an avatar of Bhaktha Prahladha. This is the reason for the circumambulation of Bhaktha Prahladha around the Brindavana. There are various pictures around the temple depicting the life of Sri Raghavendra. Temple timings: 5AM – 2PM and 4PM – 9PM. Lunch can be had at the Sri Raghavendra Swamy (SRS) mutt. There are also Panchamukhi (SriAnjaneya) and Bhikshalaya temples on the other side of the bank. This needs atleast half a day to visit.

Legend of Mantralayam Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy:-

Once, Guru Raghavendra Swami reached a village in which a rich man resided. He was against spiritual rituals and practices which were depicted in the Vedas. Hence, Guru Raghavendra swami accepted this as an opportunity to once again glorify the importance of the Vedas. Angered by this, the man took a muller and asked Guruji to make the sprout just like any healthy plant. Sri Raghavendra swami accepted this challenge. For next few days, he meditated and offered the holy water to the muller. On the last day, the man was amazed as he witnessed the miracle. The muller had sprouted and was about to grow into a healthy tree. He surrendered to guruji and became a staunch follower of the Vedas.

Miracles Of Mantralayam Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy:-
 
There was a Brahmin in sholapur . He passed the M.A., L. L.B Examination and, in his exultation, arranged a luncheon party for his friends. He partook of the luncheon along with his friends, but hard to explain, he vomited all that he ate. He could not his usual meal. His parents had him treated by eminent doctors. It was to no purpose. He used to vomit what ever he ate. One day, a Brahmin came to Sri Kamalakara joshi's house. The Brahmin was well aware of all the miraculous powers of swami. He said to Sri Kamalakara Joshi and his parents, " You had better go to Manthralaya and serve the swami for some days, the ailment will be cured. Food, which is eaten, will be properly digested. Health will be resorted." 
Kamalakara joshi was an atheist. He had no faith in gods or Gurus. So, he did not pay heed to the Brahmins words. But. The parents compelled him to come to the shrine of Manthralaya. He bathed in the river Thungabhadra, visited the Mutt and observed the worship and panchamrita abhisheka performed to Sri Raghavendra swami, with his own eyes. He took mangala harathi and the sacred water and sat in the corner. All the devotees went to the dining hall to take their food. Afraid of vomiting, Kamalakara Joshi did not go to take food. The Mutt people invited him to come and have his meal. Ashamed to tell them the truth of his ailment, he replied that he did not feel hungry. But, as the Mutt people forced him, he went to eat. He began to eat and as the food was tasty, he ate well. He was afraid of nausea. But, all the food he ate that day was digested fully. There was no sign of vomiting. Joshi was surprised. He came to believe that his food was digested by the grace of Sri Raghavendra and there was no fear of vomiting. He began to worship Sri Raghavendra swami daily with great devotion and fervour. His food was well digested and he was happy. With gratitude to Sri Raghavendra Swami for his grace, Joshi worshipped at the shrine for 40 days. His parents were extremely happy to hear about their son's restoration to health. They came to Manthralaya and conducted puja to Sri Raghavendra Swami.

Sri Kamalakara Joshi became a theist as a result of Sri Raghavendra Swami's grace. He regained faith in gods, Guru and Brahmins. His parents were overjoyed to see their son not only healthy but also full of devotion to god and reverence to Gurus.

History of Raghavendra (1595–1671):-

Sri Venkatanatha proved to be a very brilliant scholar from a very young age who learnt to play the Veena very proficiently thanks to his father and grandfather. After his father’s demise, Venkatanatha was brought up by his brother Sri Gururaja Bhatta and completed the initial portion of his education under his brother-in-law Lakshminarasimhacharya’s guidance in Madurai.
After his return from Madurai in 1614, Sri Venkatanatha married Smt. Saraswathi Bai in the same year and had a son Sri Lakshminarayanacharya. After his marriage, Sri Venkatanatha and his family went to Kumbakonam where he studied the Dwaita vedantha, grammar and literary works under his guru, Sri Sudheendra Theertha.

Sri Venkatanatha was already very well versed in bhashyas and consistently prevailed over renowned and reputed scholars, irrespective of the complexity of the debates. He was an ardent devotee of Sri  Rama and Sri Panchamukha MukhyaPrana Devaru (the five-faced form of Hanuman – Pancha meaning five, mukha meaning faces). He spent a large part of his Poorvashrama life teaching Sanskrit and the ancient Vedic texts to children.
Once while he was touring Kumbakonam along with his wife, Sri Venkatanatha and his family were invited to attend a function. Unfortunately, the hosts did not treat him well and wanted him to earn his food by running a chore. So they asked him to make some sandalwood paste for all the invitees. Sri Venkatanatha per his habit was chanting stotras and mantras while preparing sandalwood for Tilaka. When the guests applied this paste, it induced a burning sensation all over their bodies. Surprised by this, the hosts sought a clarification from Venkatanatha. He replied that the burning sensation was due to the Agni Suktam (hymn for the worship as defined in the Esoteric Vedas) that he was chanting while preparing sandalwood and thus eternal power of Vedic Mantras revealed it. This happens only when chanted with absolute dedication and devotion. The power is enhanced since it was chanted by someone as virtuous and devoted to Bhagwaan Hari as himself. Upon realizing his devotion and power, the host apologized profusely to Sri Venkatanatha and sought his forgiveness.
Sri Venkatanatha then prepared the paste again but chanted the Vedic Mantra to Varuna (Vedic rain gods) this time. It has been recorded that when the guests applied this paste, they were awash with a sense of being drenched in rainwater, reaffirming Sri Venkatanatha’s power of devotion.
He never demanded any money for his services and endured a life of poverty along with his wife and son. They went without food several times a week. On occasion, his wife did not have change of clothes. This forced her daily change of wear to be dependent on when the clothes dried. She would wear 1/2 the saree, wait for the other 1/2 to dry and wrap it around her. But he was so devoted in his quest for a higher spiritual plane that these obstacles never deterred his faith in the Lord. Poverty life continued and baby boy starved too.
Saraswathi got an idea, she told him to meet his Guru and take his refuge. They went to Kumbakonam. Venkathanatha and his family were welcomed in the mutt at Kumbakonam. Venkathanatha mastered all lessons at the Mutt. Swamiji took him to the debates against Adwaita school of philosophy at various King’s courts (Chola, Pandian etc.). Venkathanatha began to write commentary in all three Vedas following Acharya’s Rig Bhasaya, which was his ambition. But the circumstances did not favor his fulfillment. Venkathanatha was the apple of Shri Sudheendra Swami’s eye. He was thought quite well worthy to succeed the Swamiji, who was waiting for an opportunity to tell his disciple of his intentions. Just by the time a disciple named Yadavendra sought the blessings of Swamiji, as he was disgusted in worldly life. Swamiji named him “Yadavendra Theerta ” and he started on the religious tour.
Shri Sudheendra Swami was a genius of extraordinary and a soul of high spiritual efficacy. One day, he dreamt that Shri Mula Rama ordered that Venkathanatha alone could fit to rule the Mutt. One day he called Venkathanatha and after preliminary discussion of worldly interest, Swamiji began to reveal his intentions. Swamiji started with telling Venkathanatha that god was pleased with him and he deserves a post as the head of the Mutt. Venkathanatha could not understand the intentions of Swamiji and requested Swamiji to be clear of his intentions. Swamiji began to explain that there are many boats to ferry us across the ocean. But to all these our blessings are the sails which move the boats with great force and speed. Now why tarry on the shore? What fear is there to cross the Ocean? Venkathanatha could not understand. Shree Sudheendra Theertha knew that Venkathanatha loved his wife. When he explained clearly of his intentions, Venkathanatha expressed his inability and for renunciation, detachment was essential. So Venkathanatha explained about his wife, son and his shoulders were still young to take up the administration and responsibility of the mutt. So he was not inclined to take holy orders and take up Sanyasa. But was ready to submit himself to the mutt and Swamiji.
Time came now for Venkathanatha to succeed his Guru as the next Swamiji of the Mutt. Venkathanatha had a blessing of Sharada Devi, the goddess of Learning and that led him to realization of self and he narrated his experience of Sharada Devi to Swamiji and decided to do Upanayana to his son and accept sanyasa. He took sanyasa and Guru named him Raghavendra theertha. Saraswathi was shocked to
 hear the news and she fell into the well. She came as a ghost in front of Guru Raghavendra. He sprinkled holy water on the ghost and it attained Moksha by purification.  Guru Raghavendra was great in every respect. He was siddha Purusha (God realized person). He started performing miracles, Blind got their eyesight, Deaf could hear. As the time approached for Swamij and he was 78 years old. It was Thursday, the full moon, He announced to all his disciples that he went by the orders of Shri Hari and he decided to leave this world.
Devotees from all over the world came to see him as the news spread. On the second morning of Shravana, finished his morning religious rites and called all his devotees and said. This is our last day. Don’t’ be grieved. It is the order of Shri Hari that we should stay in this world to safeguard the interests of our faith. But we cannot stay bodily outside beyond a limit a certain limit as that would be against the rules of the present age. Therefore we are going to enter Brindavana bodily. To the last be faithful and be loyal to your God and religion. May God Bless you with all the things good. Thus he advised them.It was now mid-day. He distributed the theerta and blessed everyone. He called Venkanna Diwan and a prime devotee and gave him a parting message.”Venkanna-I am going to enter the Brindavana in an ogicposture and continue to do Japa (prayer) with a Tulasi Mala (Japa Mala/Chain of Holy beads) in the hand. When I stop the prayer place the 1200 Lakshminarayana Saligramas (Holy Stones) in a bronze container and Mrutike (Holy Sand) on my head and close it with a lid and then place some sand/mud. Venkanna was also entrusted by the Guru to build his Brindavan at Manchala (now Mantralaya). Swamiji asked enkanna to put a stone on which Lord Rama had sat during thretha yuga as the base. Nawab Sidhi Masudh Khan of Adoni granted Manchala village to Swamiji. In the afternoon, when the time was auspicious, Swamiji sat in a Yogic posture and started prayers.
The Brahmins were reciting Vedas and Shastras. Venkanna and others were supervising the activities. All eyes shed tears of joy and griefsimultaneously. As per the Swamiji instructions the stones were placed above his head as he sat in yogic posture. Thus Swamiji entered the Brindhavan bodily. As per Swamiji’s advice that very day was observed as Maha Samardhana Day. He was to live in atma form in the  Brindavan for next 700 years to come. In the Year 1671 AD, Guru Raghavendra named Yogeendra as his successor and entered the Brindavan. After Swamiji entered, his disciple Appanacharya sang the praise of his Guru and seeing the Guru’s Brindavan, He could not speak, the last verse of the song was completed by Guru in the Brindavan. Still Guru Raghavendra continues to bless people who think of him in their troubles and happiness.

How to reach Sri Nava brindavanam:-

1. Better way to go to Navabrindavan is by car and it is advisable to start early morning. It is about 200KM from Mantralayam. Roads are very tough but both sides of the road are covered by greenery with paddy, sunflower and cotton fields. There are also mountains nearby. So it is better to enjoy the nature than to complain on the toughness of the roads.
2. It would take around 4 hours to reach the destination. From Andhra border, car will go inside Karnataka border to reach Anegundi.

 Anegundi:-

Car will stop in Anegundi, which literally means elephant pit in Kannada. It is a small village in Koppal district of Karnataka state, located on the north banks of the Tungabhadra River on the opposite bank of the Vittala Temple. After reaching Anegundi, passengers can have breakfast at Hotel Sri Tulasi Garden. They give homely food and the owner arranges for travel by car also. You can go to SRS mutt nearby and inform them to have lunch there. They would tell you to return by 12PM sharp to have the prasada.
You need to walk a little bit to reach the banks of river Thungabadra where you need to take a motor boat to go the other bank. After reaching the other bank, you can have a holy dip in the river and go to Sri Navabrindavan dharshan.

There are 9 jeevasamadhis of the Madhva tradition. They are:
 1. Sri Padhmanabha Thirtha or Padmanabha Tirtha
 2. Sri Jayathirtha/Sri Raghuvarya
 3. Sri Kavindra Thirtha
 4. Sri Vageesa Thirtha
 5. Sri Vyasaraja Thirtha
 6. Sri Srinivasa Thitha
 7. Sri Rama Thirtha
 8. Sri Sudheendhra Thirtha
 9. Sri Govinda Odeyaru
You need to circumambulate 9+2 rounds to complete the dharshan. It is mandatory to walk outside the yellow line which is marked there. Also make sure to have dharshan of SriRanganatha and SriAnjaneya above the rocks. It is recommended to light 9 ghee lamps for the 9 acharyas, 1 ghee lamp for SriRanganatha and 1 ghee lamp for SriAnjaneya. There is also one more Anjaneya diety near the brindavanas wherein the face is in the form of SriAnjaneya, shoulders in the form of Bheema and the script in the hand in the form of Madhvacharya. At the back, Sri Nrusimha can be seen. It is better to get flowers, ghee and any archana items before reaching there as there will not be any shop near Navabrindavan.

After having dharshan, you can have lunch at SRS mutt and proceed to SriRanganathaswamy temple nearby, Chintamani temple – place where Vaali vadha took place, Anjanadri – birth place of SriAnjaneya (need to climb 600 steps up the hill), Sri Durga temple, Sri Lakshmi temple and Pampasarovar where Lord SriRama had taken holy bath. All these places are said to be the places mentioned in Kishkindha Kandam in SriRamayana. There is a Lakshmi Nrusimha temple while returning back at Urukkundu. Hampi is about 15KM from Anegundi or if you go by boat after crossing the river the distance is even more reduced. But we didn’t have time to see Hampi. But if you wish to see Hampi, best place to stay is Hospet and from there you can continue the journey. You would need atleast one day to sight-see Hampi. There are temples like Virupaksha, Vittal mandir, etc. All these areas belong to Vijayanagar empire.

Poojas and Rituals at Mantralayam Temple:-

Besides the special endowments, there are regular worships done at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
•Regular worship of Sri Moola Ramadevara is done if HH Sri Swamiji is present at Mantralayam Temple.
•Among the daily seva, the Dinaika Sampoorna Annadana Seva refers to the food endowment that a devotee can opt for. He or she can pay a fixed amount and the prasada for the day will be funded with that amount.
•The Vastra Samarpana Seva refers to the gifting of clothes to the needy.
•The Sankalpa Seva refers to taking an oath and spending the life as per the oath. Held every day between 5Sankalpa Seva requires utensils for performing Achamana, a small plate, a whole coconut, a coconut to be offered as a symbol and change as dakshina.
•Bangaru Pallaki Seva, the Golden Chariot Seva, Kanaka Kavacha Seva, Rajata Rathotsava, Kanak Maha Pooja, Suprabhat Seva, Tulabhara Seva, Archana are some of the other seva that can be performed at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.

Newly Seva in Mantralayam Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy:-

1.    Go-Grasa Seva:-

 The mutt owns a very big Go-Shala named KAMADHENU GOSHALA. It is stretched around 10 acres of land (Cow yard) at the outskirts of Mantralayam.  Around 700 cows are sheltered here. H.H. Sri Swamiji has proposed for further extending this noble service to public so that the devotees can participate in Go Seva directly at Go-Shala. Interested devotees can adopt a cow. An amount of Rs. 1000/- per month will be charged for this. One can adopt a cow for any number of months. Those who adopt a cow for a minimum of One Year will get 50 Parilama Prasadam, One memento and a shawl will be bestowed from Mutt.

2.    Pratyaksha Godana Seva:-

 A cow and its calf may be contributed to Kamadhenu Go-Shala. Devotees who are contributing the cow also need to pay Rs. 5000/- towards its maintenance. Donors will get 50 Parimala Prasadam, a memento and a shawl will be given by the Mutt.

3.    Godana Pratyamnaya:-

 Those who are unable to bring Cow and Calf to donate, may contribute an amount of Rs. 5000/-. The devotees will be taken to Goshala to perform Sankalpa of Godana. Donors will get 50 Parimala Prasadam, a memento and a shawl will be given by the Mutt.

4.    Svarna Pallaki Utsava:-

 Utsava Moorthy (Procession Icon) of Sri Prahlada Rajaru will be taken around the Garbha Gruha in Golden Palki.
 Seva Contribution is Rs. 8000/-
 (Devotees will get 50 Parimala Prasadams, Memento and Phala Mantrakshate).

5.    Vastra Samarpana Seva:-

 Vastra Dana (Offering holy cloths) for all Vrindavanas at Mantralayam is now made easy. No need to go around in search of weaver to get Vastra for Rayara Vrindavana. Just ask the Mutt authorities to book the seva on your name and visit Mantralaya on that date.  All that you need pay is
   
     Rs. 25000/- to offer Vastra to Sri Rayaru & H.H. Sri Swamiji
     (Devotees will get 1 A.C Guest house for 1 day, 50 Parimala Prasadams, Mementoe and Phala Mantrakshate)
     Rs. 50000/- to offer Vastra to All Vrindavanas, Lord Hanuman and Goddess Manchalamma
     (Devotees will get 1 A.C Guest house for 1 day, 100 Parimala Prasadams, Memento and Phala Mantrakshate).

6.    Dinaika Sampoorna Seva :-

 As the name itself is indicating, one can pay contributions towards all the Seva and Pooja takes place at Mantralayam.
     Seva Contribution is Rs. 100000/-
     (Devotees will get 1 A.C Guest house for 1 day, 100 Parimala Prasadams, Memento and Phala Mantrakshate).

7.    Dinaika Sampoorna Annadana Seva:-

 The Mutt distributes Teertha Prasada free of cost to all devotees. Average 5000 devotees per day will be fed through out the year. Not only devotees, students studying in schools and colleges in and around Mantralaya are also getting free food every day . Though very expensive, it has been an interrupted service. The Mutt incurs an expenditure of around Rs. 2 Lakhs per day. One can contribute this amount and render his support to this noble cause.
     Seva Contribution is Rs. 200000/-

Places to see near Mantralayam :-

Manchalamma Temple :-

Manchalamma Temple of Mantralayam is located near the Samadhi Temple, inside the Mantralayam Mutt complex. Goddess Manchlamma is the presiding deity of Mantralayam Village. It is believed that Sri Raghavendra Teertha requested land for the ‘Bridavana’ from Manchalamma and she granted it to him. Hence, it is a custom at Mantralayam that the devotees offer prayers at the Manchalamma Temple before visiting the Samadhi Temple.

Venkateshwara Temple:-

Lakshmi-Venkateshvara Temple or Sri Venkateshvara Temple, located at the heart of the Mantralayam Mutt complex, is another popular pilgrim destination in Mantralayam. Lakshmi-Venkateshvara Temple houses the Sri Lakshmi-Venkateshvara idol, which was consecrated by Sri Raghavendra Teertha. The saint, who is believed to be the incarnation of Bhakta Prahalada, is believed to have worshipped Lord Venkateshwara here, during his life time. The Tulsi Garden of Lakshmi-Venkateshvara Temple is the main source of tulsi for the temples situated inside the Mantralayam Mutt complex.
 Timing: 6.00 am – 12 pm
              4:30 pm – 8 pm

Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple:-

Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple is located about 23 km away from Mantralayam, atop rocky terrain near Bichchali. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman) who has five heads, representing Varaha, Garuda, Hanuman, Narasimha and Hayagreeva.
 It is believed that the swayambhu(self createdmanifested) inscription of Sri Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy was worshipped by Sri Raghavendra Teertha. As per legends, Sri Raghavendra Teertha was an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara and Lord Hanuman. He performed penance for twelve years and Lord Hanuman appeared before him in the form of Panchamukhi Anjaneya.

Vedic Pathashala :-

The Vedic Pathashala is yet another attraction of the Mantralayam Mutt complex. The pathashala is a prominent center of religious and cultural learning, which imparts knowledge in the Vedas, Puranas, Dwaita philosophy and Indian traditions to Vedic scholars from India as well as abroad, who come here for advanced studies.

Bichchali:-

Bichchali, also known as Bikshalaya, is a pilgrim destination near Mantralayam. Situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra, it is about 20 km away from Mantralayam.This place is famous as the meditating site of Sri Appannachar, who was the prime disciple of Sri Raghavendra Teertha. The house of Sri Appannachar in Bichhali, in which Sri Raghavendra Teertha lived with him for 13 years, is a popular pilgrim spot for the devotees of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. 

Chinna Tumbalam:-

 The Narasimha Swamy Tample which is about 200 years old can be found in Chinna Tumbalam. This place is about 25 kilometers from Mantralayam off the Adoni Road. Once can reach this place either through buses or private transport.

Kowthalam:-

 Kowthalam is the native of Sri Guru Jagannatha Dasaru, the famous Haridasa in the Dwaitha community. The temple is being renovated and a HariKathamruthaSara mandira is being build by K Appannachar a desendent of Sri Guru Jagannatha Dasaru. This place is about 30 kilometers from Mantralayam off the Adoni Road. Once can reach this place either through buses or private transport.

Urukunda:-

Narasimha Swamy�Tample can be found in Urukunda. After the recent renovation and the Annadana facilities by various communities, Urukunda is fast becoming a major piligrim center.This place is about 30 kilometers from Mantrlaayam off the Adoni Road. Once can reach this place either through buses or private transport. Mantralyam is a Hindu religious place where the Moola Bridavanam of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy is located. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, (1601-1671), was an influential saint in Hinduism. He advocated Vaishnavism (i.e. worship of Vishnu as the supreme God.) and Dvaita philosophy advocated by Sri Madhwacharya. He is considered to be a reincarnation of Prahallada, the devotee who was saved by Vishnu, in his avatar of Narasimha. Shri Raghavendra Swamy is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime and is believed to continue to bless his devotees to this day.

Alampur:-

One of the gateway[Westren] to Srisailam. Here God and Goddess worshiped as Brahmeshwara and Jogulamba respectively.  This pilgrim site regarded as  Shakti Peetha where the upper teeth of Sati Devi fell. The old temple was invaded by the other dynasty rulers and new temple was constructed nearer to the old temple. There are few more temples nearer to the main temple.

Accommodation:-

Accommodation (boarding and lodging) is not a problem at Mantralayam with number of hotels and restaurants that have come up of late, apart from the availability of number of guest houses donated by devotees and constructed by the Mutt. Besides, Mantralayam Mutt also provides accommodation to pilgrims in their specially constructed choultries, where rooms are provided at nominal cost. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is also running its guest house ‘Punnami” where rooms are available.  
Another unique feature of this temple is the Mutt organizes free food facility (except on the notified days) within the Mutt to all the pilgrims in their spacious dining halls.  Besides Infosys foundation (a charitable organization) has also constructed a big dining hall for the convenience of pilgrims. One can easily find the details of accommodation from the Central Reception office as soon as they reach Mantralayam.

Mantralayam temple Darshan Timings:-

Mantralayam temple is open between 6 am to 2 pm . It closes from 2 pm to 4 pm and reopens from 4 pm to 9 pm, Entry to the temple is free. Mantralayam Temple Darshan usually takes about an hour, but can go up to 2 -3 hours on special occasions. The male devotees who want to perform Pooja themselves have to wear dhoti. While male devotees paying normal visit have to remove their shirt and female devotees have to wear Sarees or other traditional cloths.

Festivals celebrated at Mantralayam Temple:-

Mantralayam Temple celebrates various kinds of festivals throughout the year. Devotees can offer various kinds of seva to fulfil the good wishes and for the well-being of the family members.
•The Maharathostavam, also known as the car festival is celebrated with great pomp and glamour at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
•Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Aradhanostavam is another famous festival of the shrine.
•The Dhanurmasa month is of great significance at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple. Besides regular worship and rituals, special events like Tulasi Archana and Hastodaka, Rathotsava and Maha Mangal aarti takes place during this month.
•Devotees can request for special seva or endowments. There are lifetime seva or endowments which take place on holy days and again every year after the seva; the fund for the seva is raised from the fixed deposit of the seva that the devotee deposits the first time.
•These special endowment worships are not performed on Ekadasi, Grahana or Eclipse days and on Sri Krishna Janmasthami.
•Devotees can also offer seva without visiting Mantralayam Temple personally. They can send cheques and drafts for the seva and the same shall be performed on behalf of the devotees.

How to Reach Mantralayam:-

Mantralayam is well connected by road and rail.

By Road:-

APSRTC and KSRTC are running regular buses connecting Mantralayam with major towns and cities in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.  Kurnool (NH-7) in Andhra Pradesh and Raichur in Karnataka are two locations which are pretty well connected to Mantralayam. Apart from this private tourist operators are also running special buses to Mantralayam from various parts of the country.

By Rail:-

Nearest railway station is Mantralayam Road (Tungabhadra) on the Mumbai-Chennai main line which is 15 km from Mantralayam. From there it is about 30 minutes drive by Road.  All most all trains running on this route halt at Mantralayam Road.  Auto facilities are available for pick up from railway station to Mantralayam. APSRTC/KSRTC is also running buses to and from railway station at certain specific timings.

By Air:-

Nearest airport is Hyderabad which is about 250 km from Mantralayam.

Mantralayam Temple Address:-

Mantralayam,
District : Kurnool,
Pin code: 518 345,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
Phones : 08512 – 279459 / 279428.

Sri Swaminathaswami in Swamimalai

Swamimalai:-


Swamimalai is near Kumbakonam. It is a railway station on the main line from Madras to Tiruchirapalli. There is a famous shrine built on a hillock, dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya locally known as Swami- natha. It is the fourth of the six sacred places (houses) of Lord Subrahmanya, the others being Tiruchendur, Palani, Tiruttani, Tirupparankunram, Tirukkazhukkunram.



Idol of Swaminathaswami:-

The Lord is in the form of Wisdom (Jnana) and those worship him will be enlightened (get education and wisdom) by his grace. Being the embodiment of Pranavamantra, the meaning of Omkara (Pranava) was revealed by Lord Muruga to Lord Sive (Iswara) as per his request and hence the Moolavar (presiding Deity – Murti) is name Swaminathaswami (Acharya of his own father).



















About Temple:-

Swamimalai – is located on the banks of river cauvery – at a distance of 5 KM along the western side of Kumbakonam in Tamil nadu, India. The temple is located at a height of 60 feet – above an artificial hillock and is reached by a flight of 60 steps – which signify 60 years. This south Indian temple of Swaminatha Swami can be reached easily by motorable roads from Kumbakonam.

There are three prakarams and three entrances in this Murugan shrine. The southen entrance is the main entrance to the temple and the main temple tower (Raja gopuram) – with its 5 tiers – is located above this entrance.There is a temple dedicated to Meenakshi Sundareswarar ( depicting Lord Vishnu giving his sisters hand in marriage to Lord Shiva ) – this temple is known as Kizh Koil . The main temple that enshrines Lord Muruga as Swaminadha swami is known as Mel Koil. There are several small temples around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. As we enter the 2nd Prakaram, there is a very beautiful structure that portrays the teaching of Omkara by Muruga to Lord shiva. Once we cross the 2nd prakaram we can see the temple of Netra Vinayagar (Lord Ganesh who blessed a devotee with eyesight) -along with s tatues of several other gods and goddesses including Karthaveeryarjuna, Idumban and subramanya swamy. As we approach the sanctum sanctorum, we pass across worshipping Sabhabathi, Senapathi, Shanmuka with Valli and Devasena – all being various manifestations of Lord Kumara or Karthikeya.

There is a beautiful statue of Nataraja or dancing Lord Shiva as well. Poet Saint Arunagirinathar – who sings about this temple in detail in this sacred Tamil hymn Thiruppugazh is also represented in the form of an idol here. The main lord of swami malai – affectionately called as Swaminadha – is 6 feet tall with broad shoulders holding sakthi vel and dhandam(staff). Instead of Mayil Vahanam or the peacock vehicle, Elephant is depicted as the vahana (divine vehicle) in front of the lord. This feature is very unique, not available in any other temples of Lord Muruga. The stala vriksham for Thiruchendur temple is the Amla tree( Nellimaram) .

There are five Theerthams or divine water sources, in and around the temple. They are: Vajra Theertham, Saravana Theertham Netra Pushkarini( well)and Kumaratturai (Kaveri) Legend has it that a blind devotee by name Sumathi lost his eyesight because of his sins. Sage Bharatwaja asked him to go and worship Netra vinayaga and take a dip in the Netra teertham to get over his sins and regain his sight. It is believed that the devotee took a dip in the
sacred waters and regained his sight as he approached the Netera Vinayagar temple.


Temple (Holy Tree), (Sthalavrutsha) : - Nelli tree (Physemblica, Linn Euphorbiaceae).

Scared Tank (Theertham) :-

There are four Holy Theerthams

    Vajra Theertham
    Kumara Theertham
    Saravana Theertham
    Netra Theertham


History of the Temple:-

The temple of Swaminatha is very ancient one and it is known to have existed even in the 2 nd century BC. It is said that Parantaka Chola I built the temple. The temple was damaged to a great extent and the Gopurams were demolished and razed to ground in the year 1740 when the Anglo-French War was waged later when war broke out between Hyder Ali and the British.

Swamimalai is fourth among the six padai veedu or sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Muruga. The presiding deity here expounded the meaning of the Pranava mantra OM to his own Father Lord Siva Himself.

Mythology says that saint Bhrugu before commencing an arduous tavam or penance, got the boon that anybody disturbing his mediation will forget all his knowledge. Such was the power of the penance that the sacred fire emanating from the head of the saint reached up to the heavens, and the frightened devas surrendered to Lord Siva praying for his grace. The Lord extinguished the sacred fire by covering the saint's head by hand. With the saint's penance thus disturbed the Lord became oblivious of all his knowledge and is said to have regained them by learning the Pranava mantra from Lord Muruga at this shrine.

Once when Brahma, the lord of all creations was proceeding to Kailasa, the ever-playful child Lord Muruga asked him for the meaning of the Pranava OM. When Brahma admitted his ignorance, the Lord imprisoned him. With Brahma imprisoned, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Siva to get Brahma released. When Muruga insisted that the imprisonment was a just punishment for the ignorance of Brahma, Lord Siva asked him whether he himself knew the meaning of the primordial Pranava OM. Lord Muruga said that he knew the meaning of OM and can expound it to the latter only if he can accept him as guru and listen to the exposition as a devoted disciple. As Lord Siva acceded to the request of Lord Muruga and heard the exposition of OM as a disciple, the place came to be known as Swamimalai and the presiding deity as Swaminathan.

The temple is built on an artificial hillock of about sixty feet height with sixty beautifully laid stone steps representing the Hindu cycle of sixty years - leading to the Lord . In the ground floor there are temples dedicated to Lord Sundareswarer and Goddesss Meenakshi.

Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple at the foot hill which is said to have been built by the Pandya ruler Varaguna Pandyan from Madurai. The golden chariot is taken in procession on special occasions here.

Hymns in praise of the presiding deity have been sung by saint Nakkeerar in Tirumurukatrupadai and by Saint Arunagirnathar in Tiruppukazh.


Muruga teaches his father:-

The story of Swamimalai is wonderful indeed. There are two versions.

First one:-

It was during the days when Shiva and Parvati lived at Kailas with their children Ganapati and Muruga. One day, the Creator God Brahma, one among the Holy Trinity (Brahma – Vishnu – Maheshwara) came to see Shiva. The boy Muruga chatted with Brahma and casually asked if he knew the meaning of the Holy Mantra ‘Aum’ (Om). The Creator was a little embarrassed and had to confess his ignorance. Muruga, the ever playful boy, taken aback by the ignorance of Brahma, shut him in a room as a punishment.

Childish prank it was for a boy, but the whole universe was affected by this, since the Creator himself was held captive. Creation stood at standstill. Alarmed at the situation, Devas prayed to Shiva to free Brahma. Shiva came to know what had happened and asked his dear son to release Brahma. Later, Shiva asked the young boy: “You imprisoned Brahma alleging he doesn’t know the meaning of Pranava. But, do you know it yourself?”

“Yes, father”, said the child. The curious father asked him to explain then. However, Muruga said “For that, father, you must accept me as your Guru and bow down to me just as a disciple to a Guru”. Shiva smiled and readily agreed. Seated on his father’s lap, the young boy Muruga in his sweet childish voice explained to Shiva the meaning of the adimantra Om as no one would. The astonished but proud father blessed the child who was after all the very Fruit of Knowledge. This initiation happened at Swami malai. Hence Muruga here is called Swaminathan, the Lord of Swami (Shiva) Himself .

Second One:-

The great sage Bhrigu once decided to engage himself in an austerity (tapas). The penance was very severe and the seer proclaimed beforehand that whoever disturbed his penance would be suitably punished: would forget whatever he or she had learnt!

The tapas then started. The spiritual heat that emanated from the hermit was unbearable to all living beings: Even gods (Devas) found it too hot. They requested Shiva to protect them from this. The compassionate Shiva covered the head of the hermit with His hand so as to protect the gods. Shiva in this way saved the gods, but the price He had to pay for this action was heavy: The sage’s tapas was a little disturbed and Shiva forgot the very meaning of the Pranava mantra Om!

But His little darling Muruga came to know this and rose to the occasion quickly. At Swamimalai, Muruga initiated his father again and imparted the knowledge of the Holy Mantra.

The important festivals conducted in the temple are:-



1. Monthly Kirutikai festival;
2. Temple Car festival in April;
3. Visakam festival in May;
4. Navaratri festival in May;
5. Skanda Shashti festival in October;
6. Tiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December;
7. Taippūcam festival in January; and
8. Pankuni Uttiram festival in March.

Golden Chariot:-

The temple has an imposing golden chariot made of seven kilos of gold, 85 kilos of silver and other metals like copper, beautifully illuminated with electric bulbs.

Devotees on payment of Rs. 1001 can take the deity in a procession in the golden charriot around the outer corridor. Devotees are offered a shawl, eversilver pot and a small box with the Lord’s prasadam.
Facilities

For the convenience of the pilgrims and devotees, 11 rooms, four cottages, two VIP cottages, one donor cottages, three marriage halls and one dining hall have been constructed and are let out at nominal rent ranging from Rs. 20/- to Rs. 100/- per day only.


Sub-temples near to Swamimalai:-

Among the sub-temples under the administration of the Swamimalai temple, the Sveta Vinayagar temple at Tiruvalanchuli is an important one. The presiding deity Lord Sadaimudinathar and Goddess Perianayaki have been sung by Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar in Tēvāram. A unique feature of this temple is the Sveta Vinayagar or White Pillaiyar made of the sea foam formed at the time of churning of the Milky Ocean by the devas and asuras to get the nectar. The sacred Cauvery River flowing nearby herself has turned around in a right semicircle around this shrine and hence the name Valanchuli or right twist. Renovation of this temple at a cost of Rs. 50 lakhs is progressing.

Another architecturally beautiful temple at Kilpazhayarai dedicated to Lord Somanathaswami is also under renovtion at an estimated cost of Rs. 50 Lakhs. It is worth mentioning that this shring is the birthplace of Saint Managaiyarkarasi, one among the 63 Nayanmars. Hymns in praise of the presiding deity have been sung by Tirunavukkarasar.


Pooja Timings:-

Poojas Offered     Timings
Viswaroopa darshan     05.30 hrs
Udhaya Maarthandam     06.00 hrs
Mudhal Kaala Sandhi, Siru Kaala Sandhi and Periya Kaala Sandhi     From 08.00 hrs
Uchikaalam     12.30 hrs
Saayaratchai     17.00 hrs
Ardhajaamam     21.15 hrs
Ekantham     21.30 hrs

 Nearest Major Town/City:-
    Tanjore - 35 km from Tanjore to Swamimalai

How to Reach:-

    By Air:-
    The nearest airport to Swamimalai is in Trichy, and it is situated at a distance of ninety kilometers away.
    By Train:-
    Swamimalai does not have a train station, and the nearest station is Kumbakonam, at a distance of 5 kms from Swamimalai
    By Road:-
    The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has buses that connect Swamimalai to almost all the major cities of the state. One can avail of regular buses to Swamimalai from Kumbakonam, Trichy, Chidambaram and Chennai.

Shakthi Peetam - Vishalakshi ” Vast eyed “

Visalakshi Temple:-

The temple of Visalakshi or Divine mother Sati is just behind kashi Vishwanath temple and it is said to be one of the 51 shaktipeeths. It is said that when Lord Vishnu was cutting the body pieces of Sati by Sudarshana Chakra  the earing fell here ( Manikarni ) hence some pundit says that its a Upapeetha or a sub centre. Some say that third eye aksha  fell here hence she is called Vishalakshi ” Vast eyed “.

Visalakshi is the second consort of Shiva in this holy city of Kashi. This temple is one among the 52 Shakti peethams, and is part of the famous triad of temples- Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kashi Visalakshi. This small temple is situated in one of the narrow lanes around the Vishwanath temple, and it is mainly south Indians who seek out this temple.

Though the temple is quite small, the idol of the goddess is very beautiful. Behind the main stone idol of the goddess is another idol (some say it is a silver casting, others say it is an idol), believed to be the idol prayed to in ancient times. One of our guides told us that it was the swayambhu idol of the goddess, while another refuted this claim. Whatever it is, it is certainly worth a look, so remember to look behind the idol when you visit the temple.

Adi Shankaracharya, when he visited the temple, performed prayers to renew the powers of the temple and the goddess which had borne the brunt of several invasions. He also installed a Sri Yantram there, and it is to this Yantram that puja is done. Kumkumarchana to this Sri Yantram is considered very special, and can be performed by asking the pujari there.

Sthala purana:-

The word Visalakshi means the one who has big eyes.
She is described as the one who rules the world.

Tantras tell that she will be in the form of Mahakali. She will break the Karma bandhas after the ďeath. Lord Vishwanath, in the form of Mahakala will give Moksha.


Other Temples in Kasi:-

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga:-

Nirvikar cahitanya and Sanatan Brahma have assumed the form of Saguna Vishwarupa from the initial Nirgun Roopa or form. The Shiva Shakti roopa became the Purusha (man) and Stree (the woman) again. Prakriti and Purusha (Nature and man) (Shiva-Shakti) were once ordained by Shiva to do tapas in the universe in order to create the best being. He specified the best place for this purpose. When a prayer was held, Nirgun Shiva, with His own powers and aura, created a wonderful city called Panchakoshi. Vishnu, who resided there, spent a lot of time praying to Shiva after which several watersprings originated there. Vishnu was amazed at this wonderous event, and even as he tilled his head, a gemstone fell from his ear. Because of this place, it was also called Manikarnika. The entire Panch Koshi area of Manikarnika waters were then gathered into the Trident by Shiva. Then from the navel of Vishnu was born a lotus flower with Brahma in it. Brahma was ordained by Shiva to create a world, at which Brahma created this wonderful world. It had fifty crore Yojanas of area and fourteen lokas. In order to save the lives of these who are bound by their own actions or karma. Shiva kept panchakoshi city away from the entire universe. In this city, Shiva Himself established the saviour Muktidayak JyotirLinga, which He can never leave. Shiva removed this very Kashi from His Trident and set it in this mortal world. It was not to be destroyed when Brahma’s day ends, but during Pralay i.e., final destruction of the world, Shiva saved it by keeping it safe in his trident. So the kashi is called avimukta kshetra. In Kashi, the Avimukteshwar Linga is there forever. Those who can never hope for salvation, attain Moksha here.
This holiest city of Panchakoshi, with its capacity to destroy every conceivable sin, is the vehicle of a special Moksha by the name “Samyugha”. That is the reason why this city which is ruled by Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha, is the place, where even divines want to die. Sarwaguna from inside and Tamoguna from outside, are the qualities of Rudra here. When prayed to, Vishwanatha Bahagavan Sri Shankar made this abode and resided there with Parvati.



Annapoorna Temple:-

 A temple for Annapoorna has been constructed near Watrap, on the way to Saduragiri. The temple is in the shape of eight-sided pyramid.
Adi Sankara who had immortalized the power and glory of Annapoorneswari in his immortal hymns Annapoornastakam - eight verses rendered there, implores on our behalf the grant of Gnana Vairagyam -- the steadfastness born out of realization. The beautiful golden image of Annapoorneswari in the temple, which is hundred yards away from the Visweswara Temple is thrown open for darshan to the devotees during Deepavali festival on Dhanathriodasi Day when Pooja is performed for the golden idol and throughout next day on Chotti Deepavali Day it is kept open for public darshan.  and it is indeed a great sight! Annapurna sits in the middle with her trademark bowl and ladle. On her left is Lakshmi (Sridevi- the goddess of wealth) and on her right is Bhudevi (the goddess of the earth). All these idols are of pure Gold, and are beautiful to look at. In front of them stands Shiva, made of silver, asking for alms.


 Kaalbhairav Temple Kashi:-


In Kashi Vishwanath legend, when Lord Shiva gets angry on Lord Brahma , he creates a dangerous form called Kaalbhairava . Bhairava beheaded one of Brahma’s five heads and since then Brahma has only four heads. When depicted as Kala Bhairava, Bhairava is shown carrying the decapitated head of Brahma. Cutting off Brahma’s fifth head made him guilty of the crime of killing, and as a result, he was forced to carry around the head for years and roam as Bhikshatana, a mendicant, until he had been absolved of the sin.His head was released when he reached the city of Kashi . From there on he lived in the city of Kashi and started guarding it. Hence he is called The Kotwal of Kashi. No one can enter Kashi without the permission of Bhairava.

 Tulsi Manas Mandi:-
7 km from the railway station, it is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama. Believed to be situated where saint-poet Tulsi Das lived and wrote the epic Ram Charit Manas. An exquisite structure of white marble, it has the text of Ram Charit Manas engraved on its walls.

Durga Temple:-
7 km from railway station, is one of the important temples dedicated to Goddess Durga. Constructed in the 18th century in the Nagara style of architecture, it has five shikharas (spires), which start from the bottom and converge on the top. Locally known as 'Monkey temple' because of the large number of monkeys inhabiting the place.

 Dundi Ganapathi Temple:-
 Its in the Kasi Viswanath Temple premises only.

 Sakshi Ganapathi Temple:- 
Its also in the Kasi Viswanath Temple Premises Only. This Ganapathi has gives the witness.

 Mrutunjaya Mahadev Mandir:-
 One more Important temple, near Varanasi. Its 2KM distance from the Kasi Viswanth Temple. Lot of small small shiva lingas you can find out in that temple.

Ganga Harathi:- 
In the evening it will start at 7PM. Lot of people has attend this Ganga Harathi in this evening time.

 Ganga Temple:-
 Its near the Ganga Ghat.

 Bindu Madhava Temple:-
 One more important Temple in Varnasi. This is one of the Pancha Madhava Temple in India. It has located near Ganga Ghat.


Getting there and Around:-

By Air :-
 Babatpur Airport, also known as Varanasi Airport or Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (IATA - VNS, ICAO - VIBN), is the nearest airport situated just 18 km north-west of Varanasi city. Varanasi lies on the daily air tourist shuttle route linking other major tourist places in India such as Khajuraho, Agra and Delhi.

By Rail :-
 The city is linked by trains with all metros and major cities across the country - New Delhi (760 Kms.), Bombay (1509 Kms.), Calcutta (735 Kms.), Madras (1970 Kms.) , Lucknow (286 Kms) . There are three railway station - Kashi, City and Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment), which is the main station and has computerised booking. There are not many trains running directly between here and Delhi or Calcutta but most Delhi to Calcutta trains do pass through Mughal Sarai, 18 km south of Varanasi. This is about 45 minutes by bus or shared autorickshaw. From Varanasi Junction, expresses take 13 to 16 hrs. to Delhi and 13 hours to Calcutta. Other expresses take 28 hrs. to Bombay, 39 hrs. to Madras, 3 hrs. to Allahabad, 41/2 hrs. to Patna, 5 hrs. to Lucknow.

By Road :-
 Varanasi is connected with Calcutta (677 Kms.), Delhi (765 Kms.), Madras (1901 Kms.), Bangalore (1763 Kms.) and to the rest of the country by good motorable, all-weather roads.

Accomodation:-
Varanasi being an important tourist destination for both pilgrims as well as other tourists features numerous economic hotels as well as luxury hotels and guest houses. Hotel such as Taj Ganges, Hotel Surabhi International, Hotel Varanasi Ashok, Hotel De Paris, and Hotel M M Continental are all situated within a short distance from Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Lord Venkateswara Temple In Tirupati

                                                            Lord Venkateswara Temple

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.It is by the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
Tirupati Tirumala Balaji TempleThe temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.
 The benefits acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestowed of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.

Meaning Of Venkateswara  Swamy:-

'ven+kata+eshwara=sins+destroyer+supreme... He is Vishnu, who is transcendental to the material energy, Vishnu does not have direct contact with material people, and therefore yogis carry out severe penances to have a vision of Vishnu's lotus feet. How ever, in the kali yuga people have fallen to the point that they have even lost themselves due to ignorance in bodily consciousness. Lord Vishnu out of love towards his devotees therefore incarnated as Venkateshwara. The exact period in which the temple was founded is not known, and tradition has it that the temple is Swayambhustala, meaning that it came into existence on its own without anyone constructing it. According to folk legends, there was a huge anthill at Tirupati. A farmer heard a voice from the heavens asking him to feed the ants. By chance the local king heard the voice and began supplying milk for the ants himself. His compassion resulted in the liquid uncovering a magnificent idol of Lord Venkateshwara hidden beneath the anthill. According to some evidence the history of the temple dates back almost 2,000 years. In ancient times, a queen called Samavai, belonging to the Pallava dynasty (614 AD), is said to have consecrated the first silver image here. The temple is also mentioned in Sangam poetry (500 BC - 2000 AD).
The Venkatam hill is believed to be a part of the celestial mount meru, brought to the earth from Vaikuntam by Garuda.The sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak,Venkatdri and there are several legends associated with the manifestation of the lord in Tirumala. The shrine of the lord is very ancient and there are ample references to it in the early inscriptions belonging to the Chola and Pallava periods as well in the Sangam literature. The abode of the lord is about 10 Km north-west of Tirupati and there are footsteps leading to the hill as well as two separate serpentine roads to reach the shrine. According to legend ,God Vishnu revealed himself earlier in the previous incarnations as Varahaswamy on the banks of the present temple tank..This manifestation of the white boar (Sveta Varaham) is enshrined in the Adi Varahaswany temple situated on the northeastern banks of the tank.
The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.
The sacred temple of Sri Venkateshwara is located on the seventh peak,Venkatadri (Venkata Hill), and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala. The name Tirupati, meaning the 'the Lord of Lakshmi should have been appropriately applied to the village on the Venkata Hill, the abode of the Lord. However, it has been popularly assigned to the Municipal town at the foot of the Hill, while the village around the Hill near His temple is called Tirumala (the Sacred Hill). Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the hill town Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Tirumala, is a hill town in Chittoor district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Tirumala is a Firstmost divine piligrim center of Hindu / Vedha Religion, popularly known as Sri Venkateswara Temple - which is dedicated for the Supreme God Shri mann Narayana / Maha Vishnu. As like Rama Avathara / Krishna Avathara are known as Vibhava avathara of the God, the Sri Rengam/Tirumala/Badrinath are the existing places of Archavatharas of the Supreme God. Vishnu in the form of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala Venkateshwara (Sanskrit & Telugu), also known as Venkatachalapathy or Srinivasa or Balaji, is the supreme God believed to be a form of the Hindu Deity Lord Vishnu. He appeared in this Yuga Kali Yuga for saving the people who have fallen deeply and are deluded in three modes of material nature. Lord Venkateshwara means supreme God who destroys the sins of the people in this material world .

History Of Venkatadri:-

Sri Venkateswara Temple which is the most ancient Prligrim Center in India is on Tirumala Hill. This Temple is in the geographical limits of Tirupathi in Chittoor District. The Tirumala Hill forms the southern end of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. It rises to a maximum height of 1104 metres above the sea level and consists of seven peaks or ridges, hence the name Sapthagiri or Seven Hills. It covers an area of about 250 Sq Km and resembles a massive Serpent, giving it the name Seshadri or the Hill of Snake. The head of the Serpent is Tirumala, the body is Ahobilam to the North & the tail is Srisailam, even further North. Lord Venkateswara Temple is on Venkatadri which is one of the Seven hills. Tiru means ‘Holy’ or ‘Sacred’ and mala means hills/mountain in Dravidian languages. Therefore it translates as Holy mountains.
•Seshadri – Hill of Sesha,the dasa of Lord Vishnu
•Vrushabhadri — Hill of Nandi, the vahanaof Lord Shiva
•Anjanadri — Hill of Lord Hanuman
•Neeladri — Hill of Neela Devi
•Garudadri — Hill of Garuda, the Vehicle of Lord Vishnu
•Naraynadri — Hill of Narada Muni
•Venkatadri — Hill of Lord Venkateswara
He is also called Srinivasa, Tirumalesa, Tirumalappa, Timmappa. This temple has acquired a special sanctity in the Hindu religion. The benefits that accrue by a pilgrimage to this holy town is mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas. Hindus all over the world believe that in Kali Yuga it’s possible to attain mukti by worshiping Lord Venkateswara. There are footsteps leading to the hill with two separate serpentine roads to reach the shrine. According to legend, God Vishnu revealed himself earlier in the previous incarnations as Varahaswamy on the banks of the present temple tank.. This manifestation of the white boar (Sveta Varaham) is enshrined in the Adi Varahaswany temple situated on the northeastern banks of the tank. “Ven” means “sin” and “Kata” means”destroyed” Therefore Venkata means, a person who worships there will get cleansed of all sins. Around 50,000 pilgrims visit the temple every day.

Medieval history:-

Tirumala is known to have a history that goes back to the age of the Sangam Literature that lasted from 500 B.C. to 300 A.D. The reference of the famous shrine in Tirupati can be found in the literature of IIango Vadigal’s Silapadikarm and Satanar’s Manimeghalai Bear. The Tirumala hills are known to be world’s second oldest rock mountain. Thondaiman, ruler of ancient Tondai Nadu is believed to have first built the temple after visualizing Lord Vishnu in a dream. He built the Gopuram and the Prakhara, and arranged for regular prayers to be conducted in the temple. Later on, the Chola Dynasty (300 BC–1279) vastly improved the temple and gave rich endowments.
Some of the earliest rulers of Tirumala are the Kings of Pallav kingdom which is known to be there around the 4th century AD. The temple is known to have been brought to limelight by the Alvars or Vaishnava saints, who were the followers of Vishnu and sung praises of the Lord, in the 5th century. Tirupati has been ruled by various kings belonging to different dynasties, like Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijaynagar rulers. All the kings have played an important role in the expansion of the temple structure. Tirumala was a subject to Muslim invasion around the 12th century and it was during this time that the deity of Srirangapatna was brought to Tirupati for safety.
In 1517 Vijayanagara ruler Sri Krishna Deva Raya, on one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels, enabling the Vimana (inner shrine) roofing to be golded. Statues of Sri Krishna Deva Raya and his spouse stand in the premises of the temple. After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire, kings from states such as Mysore and Gadwal worshiped as pilgrims and gave ornaments and valuables to the temple. Maratha general Raghoji I Bhonsle (died 1755) visited the temple and set up a permanent administration for the conduct of worship in the temple. There is an idol of Raja Todar Mal who was the revenue minister of Akbar, greeting pilgrims in the premises of the temple.
Sri venkateswara Temple will be in accordance with Vaishnava Sampradaya. Sri Venkateswara Swamy who is on the Tirumala hill got the fame of being the most sacred even before 18th Century. Let us make our lives meaningfull by visiting Venkateswara Swamy who made his presence in the central part of the Temple. We can see Mandapas statues and doors which were carved and designed in a beautiful way in the premises of the Temple, which should be visited and known in the premises of the Temple.

Epigraphical records:-

There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
Sri KrishnadevarayaAll the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th – 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions.
It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple.
After the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.
After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka and then the Britishers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and protective control.
In 1843 AD, the East India Company divested itself of the direct management of non-Christian places of worship and native religious institutions. The administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number of estates were then entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, till 1933 AD.
Modern history:-

In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, which empowered the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) Committee to control and administer a fixed group of temples in the Tirumala-Tirupati area, through a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras.
In 1951, the Act of 1933 was replaced by an enactment whereby the administration of TTD was entrusted to a Board of Trustees, and an Executive Officer was appointed by the Government .
The provisions of the Act of 1951 were retained by Charitable and Religious Endowments Act, 1966.

The Legend:-

 Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which the most important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed work contains extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Aditya Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. Most of these extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills around Tirumala and the numerous teerthams situated on them. The legends taken from the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha Purana, pertaining to the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala, are of particular interest. According to the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself on the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara came to reside on the southern bank of the Swami Pushkarini. One day, Rangadasa, a staunch devotee of Vishnu, in the course of his pilgrimage, joined Vaikhanasa Gopinatha, who was going up the Tirumala Hill for the daily worship of Lord Venkateswara. After bathing in the Swami Pushkarini, he beheld the lotus-eyed and blue-bodied Vishnu beneath a tamarind tree. Vishnu was exposed to the sun, wind and rain and was only protected by the extended wings of Garuda.Rangadasa was astounded by the wonderful sight. He raised a rough wall of stones around the deity, and started supplying flowers faithfully to Gopinatha everyday for Vishnu's worship. One day, Rangadasa was distracted by a Gandharva king and his ladies. Consequently, he forgot to supply flowers to Gopinatha for Vishnu's worship. The Lord then revealed Himself and told Rangadasa that He had been testing the latter's continence, but Rangadasa had not been steadfast and had succumbed to temptation.
 However, the Lord accepted and appreciated Rangadasa's devoted service to Him till then, and blessed Rangadasa that he would be reborn as an affluent ruler of a province and would enjoy the earthly pleasures. He would continue to serve the Lord, construct a beautiful temple with a vimana and high surrounding walls, and thereby earn eternal glory. Rangadasa was reborn as Tondaman, the son of the royal couple, Suvira and Nandini. Tondaman enjoyed a pleasurable life as a young man. One day, he set out on a hunting expedition on the Tirumala Hill, and with the help of a forester, saw Vishnu under the tamarind tree. Tondaman returned home, deeply affected by the vision of Vishnu. Tondaman later inherited his father's kingdom, Tondamandalam. In accordance with the directions given by Adi Varaha to a forester, Tondaman constructed a prakaram and dvara gopura, and arranged for regular worship of the Lord (according to Vaikhanasa Agama). In the Kali Yuga, Akasaraja came to rule over Tondamandalam. His daughter Padmavathi was married to Venkateswara. The marriage, officiated by Brahma, was celebrated with great pomp and splendour.
The provisions of the Act of 1951 were retained by Charitable and Religious Endowments Act, 1966.

Structure of Main Temple In Tirumala:-

Lord Sri Venkateswara, also known as Srinivasa, Balaji, and Veṅkaṭachalapati, made Tirumala his abode five thousand years ago. Even before him, it was Lord Varahaswami who had made Tirumala his abode. Since then, many devotees have continued to construct grand entrances on the ramparts of the temple over generations. The temple complex is spread over 16.2 acres of land.

Maha Dwaram:-

The height of the main entrance has been increased periodically since 13th century. Its present height is fifty feet. This entrance has other names such as ‘Padivaakili’ and ‘Simhadwaram’.In Tamil it is called ‘Periya Thiruvasal’. On either side of this main entrance there are two feet high statues made of alloy metal (Pancha loha). They are Sankanidhi and Padmanidhi who are the guardians of ‘Navanidhi’, the treasure of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
The Maha Dwaram comprises three consecutive entrances – the first is a brass one, while the second is a silver one. The third entrance is a golden one.

Sankha Nidhi  – Padma Nidhi:-

These are the two angels guarding the wealth and treasure of Lord Sri Venkateswara. As per the tradition these are installed at the third entrance of the temple. One enters the holy shrine after saluting the first protection threshold - Sankha Nidhi and Padma Nidhi. According to history, these statues were consecrated by Vijayanagara emperor Achyutha Rayalu, the younger brother of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu.




Krishnadevarayalu Mandapam :-

Abutting the Mahadwara and to its right, there is a high-rise mandapam (Porch). This is called Krishnadevarayalu Mandapam or Pratima Mandapam. This mandapam has been constructed in Vijayanagara architectural style. To the right side of this porch, one can find tall copper statues of the emperor of Vijayanagara kingdom, Sri Krishnadevarayalu and his two consorts, Tirumala Devi and Chinnadevi.
These three statues placed in front of Lord Sri Venkateswara express their devotion to him. It is said that Sri Krishnadevarayalu himself installed these statues on 2nd January 1517 A.D. and then onwards this mandapam has become famous as the Krishnadevarayalu mandapam. Their names are inscribed on the shoulder badges of these statues.

By the left side of the main entrance or Mahadwaram there is a tall copper statue with folded hands. This is the statue of Venkatapatirayalu, the king of Chandragiri. He was a generous king who ruled Chandragiri during 1570s and donated many valuable gifts to the deity.

Addala Mandapam:-

Twelve feet to the north of Sri Krishnadevarayalu Mandapam, there is a glass porch. Every day at 2 p.m., a service called”Dolotsavam” is performed for the Lord in this glass porch. Historical evidence proves that this seva programme began to be performed in 1831.

Ranganayakula  Mandapam:-

Just opposite to the glass porch, there is another high rise mandapam called Ranganayakula Mandapam. Due to the Muslim invasions between 1320 and 1369 A.D., the idols of Lord Ranganadha of Srirangapatnam were shifted to Tirumala for safe keeping. Daily prayers and poojas were offered to him in this Mandapam. After the cessation of the Muslim invasions, these statues were once again shifted back to Srirangam. Yet this place has retained the name of Ranganayakula Mandapam to this day.
This mandapam is said to have been built by the king of Tirupathi, named Ranganadha Yadava Rayalu. It is in this mandapam that Kalyanothsavams were performed for the Lord. However, due to the increase in pilgrim rush, currently daily Kalyanothsavams are performed in Sampangi Pradakshinam.

Tirumalaraya  Mandapam:-



Ten feet to the south of the flagstaff, there is another stone pillared pavilion called Tirumalaraya Mandapam. This was built by Saluvanarasimharayalu, the emperor of Vijayanagara, to express his gratitude to the Lord for the help extended towards his victories.


Tulabharam:-

All couples begetting children with the blessings of the Lord, offer money in the form of coins, silver, candy and camphor equivalent to the weight of their children, as avowed by them. Even the patients, who are cured of their diseases, express their gratitude similarly. This Tulabharam is arranged in front of the Ranganayakalu Mandapam.

Raja Todaramallu:-

At about hundred feet from the flagstaff, there are three copper statues of devotees, facing the Lord and saluting him with folded hands. One is that of Lala khemaramu, the other is that of his mother Mata Mohana Devi and the third one is that of his wife Pita Bibi. Lala Khemarumu is a kshatriya known as Raja Todaramallu. He courageously protected Tirumala both from the invasions of Muslims and the British during the seventeenth century. The Lord blessed this family and bestowed them with a place in His temple.

Dwajasthambham Mandapam:-

Dwajasthambham, -the golden flagstaff is located in the middle of a twenty-pillared square pavilion. To the east of the flagstaff there is an altar and to the northeast, there is granite stone called ‘Kshetrapalakasila’. This pavilion is said to have been constructed in the fifteenth century.
During Brahmotsavams, a flag with Garuda’s imprint is hoisted on this flagstaff for extending an invitation to gods and goddesses (Yaksha, Kinnera and Gandharva), to attend this festival. Those wishing to take pooja material or other things into the sanctum, have to perform circumambulation along dwajasthamba including the Lord whenever he is taken outside or returned to the main temple.


Bali Peetam (Altar):-

Adjoining the flagstaff is the Bali Peetam or altar. After offering Naivedyam to the Lord and other deities and after exiting through the silver gate, the Prasadam is kept on this altar. It is believed that this food offering is accepted by deities, the angles and the elemental forces.

Kshetrapalaka Sila (Big Round Stone):-

To the north east corner of the altar, under the flagstaff porch, there is a one and half feet high stone slab. This is called ‘Kshetrapalaka Sila’. It is said that this stone slab marched around the temple for providing security to the Shrine at night.
Priests used to keep the keys of the temple on this stone slab every night after closing the temple and collect them to open the temple in the morning, after saluting it.

Sampangi Pradakshinam:-

On entering the precincts of the temple, one first encounters the circumambulation passage called ‘Sampangi Pradakshinam’. The grand circumambulation passage outside the temple is not considered for this purpose. Therefore ‘Sampangi Pradakshinam’ is considered to be the primary one. Earlier Sampangi flower plants (gold flowers, Michelia Champaka) were grown in this pathway for decorating the Lord and hence, the name.

Four Pillar Mandapam:-

Four pavilions in the four corners of ‘Sampangi Pradakshinam’ were built by Saluva Narasimha Raya in 1470 A.D. in the names of himself, his wife and his two sons.

Kalyanotsava Mandapam:-

Earlier all wedding festivities of the Lord were celebrated at the pavilion in the ‘Vimana Pradakshinam’. With the increase in the number of the devotees attending the events, these festivities started being held for some time in Ranganayaka Mandapam. Now, the celestial wedding is performed in this Kalyanotsava Mandapam.

Ugranam (Store House):-

‘Ugranam’ means Godown. All the pavilions on western side are now being used as store houses. The material used for the Lord’s ‘Puja’ and other rituals is now stored in the North-West corner of the ‘Sampangi Pradakshina’.

Viraja River (Prohibited Area):-

As per the legend, Viraja, a sacred river of Vaikuntam flows below the lotus feet of the Lord. The well of water in the temple complex is believed to be a part of that holy river. This well is located in front of the Ugranam or store house. Idols are sculpted on the stones used for the inner walls of this well. Hence this well is called ‘toy well’ or ‘Bommala Baavi’.

Padi Potu:-

The temple kitchen is located in the route of Sampangi Pradakshinam. This kitchen is referred to as ‘Padi potu’. Sweets and savouries like laddoo, vada, appam, dosa, poli, sukhiya, jilebi, and so on, which are offered to the Lord are prepared here in large quantities. To the East of this kitchen is the ‘Flower Chamber’.

Flower Chamber:-

The flower chamber was earlier located in the ‘Sampangi Pradakshinam’. All the flowers used for the service of the Lord and other deities are supplied from this flower chamber, which is called ‘Yamunottarai’. This ‘flower chamber’ now stands shifted to ‘Vimana Pradakshinam’. Every morning and evening the Jiyyangars collect the flower garlands prepared in the flower chamber and carry them over their heads to the Lord, after circumambulating the flagstaff amidst blowing trumpets and umbrellas for shading. These flower garlands are presented to the Sanctum for performing the various rituals and poojas to the Lord.

Pula Bavi(Well Of Flowers):-

Just opposite and to the north of the flowers chamber is the ‘Pula Bavi-flower well’. All the flowers used for the worship of the Lord are deposited in this well.

VagaPadi Chamber:-

The long porch on the eastern side and adjacent to the ‘flower chamber’ is Vagapadi chamber. Offerings to the deity are prepared here thrice a day.

Vendi Vakili-Silver Entrance:-

The threshold opposite to the flagstaff is called the ‘silver entrance’. This is also known as ‘Nadimipadi Kavali’. This is the second entrance leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum. Inscriptions say that the construction of the fortifications of this second entrance was started in the 12th century and completed in the 13th century. The doors of this entrance were silver plated on October 1st 1929 A.D. by Sriram Dwarakadas Pharabhani, belonging to Nizam estate. Inscriptions in Hindi and English are found on this entrance.

Vimana Pradkshanam:-

Beyond the silver door, the path which circumambulates the main gopura of Ananda Nilaya is known as ‘Vimana Pradakshina’. Early, at the pre-dawn hour, while Suprabhata seva is performed to the Lord, devotees make Anga Pradakshina (rolling one’s body in humility all round the temple as a religious vow). Hence, it is also called Angapradakshina marg. In this pathway one can witness Sri Ranganadha just opposite to the silver entrance, Sri Varadaraja Swami temple, main kitchen, golden well, Ankurarpana Mandapam, Yagasala, Nanala (coins) Parakamani, Notla (Paper notes) Parkamani, Almyrah of Sandal Sreeranganathudu Vendi Vakili paste (Chandanapu ara) darshan of Vimana Venkateswara, cell of records, Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu - the seat of Sri Ramanuja, the temple of Yoganarasimhaswami, Lords’s hundi and the seat of Vishvaksena. All the small temples in this path way are called ‘Chutttu Gullu’(Sub-shrines encircling the main shrine).

Ghanta Mandapam:-

Lord Brahma, the Deva Ganas and Maharshis like SanakaSanandanaSanatkumara wait for the darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara at the golden gate. Opposite to the golden gate, there is Garuda Mandapam. The pavilion that links the golden gate and the Garuda Mandapam is called ‘Ghanta Mandapam’ or ‘Mahamani Mandapam’.
It was constructed in 1461 A.D. by Mallanna, a native of Chandragiri and minister in the Vijayanagara empire. ‘Garudalwar Mandir’ is also located just opposite to the golden gate in this Mandapam.
To the south of the golden gate in this mandap, two big bells are suspended from a wooden log using iron chains. The Brahmin who rings this bell is called ‘Ghantapani’. The ringing of this bell denotes that it is time for the Lord to have his meal.
Historical evidences say that whenever the emperor of Vijayanagara Empire camps at Chandragiri, the bell sounds are relayed to Chandragiri through intermediary bell porches for enabling the emperor to have his food thereafter. Because of these bells, this porch has become famous as ‘GhantaMandapam’. Keeping the legacy live, even today in Tirumala, many devotees have their food only after the bell stops ringing.

Garuda Mandapam:-

Just opposite to the golden gate and facing the Lord there is a six feet high statue of Garuda saluting the Lord with folded hands. Every day at the pre-dawn hour, Suprabhatham is recited in the place between the golden gate and the statue of Garuda. The Lord sitting on the golden throne in this mandapam, listens to the recital of almanac and the submissions of receipt and expenditure account of the previous day.

Jaya-Vijaya:-

On either side of the golden gate, there are Jaya and Vijaya, the chief guards of the Lord, holding a conch, a disc and a mace respectively. There is a ten feet high wooden grill around these statues. These two devout servants guard the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord round the clock.

Bangaru Vakili(Golden Door):-

The most important entrance for going into the sanctum sanctorum is this golden gate. Here, the stone frame of the entrance and the porches of Jaya - Vijaya on either side are gold plated and hence this name.
At night these doors are closed methodically in a pre-conceived fashion. In the same way, they open this bolt from outside, in the morning. The pristine beauty of the Lord can be witnessed from this point.

Snapana Mandapam:-

The pavilion that you notice after crossing the golden gate is known as ‘Snapana Mandapam’. Every day after Thomala Seva, the idol of Koluvu Srinivasa Murthy is brought here and placed on the golden throne and his court is held. During this court, almanac is recited; the affairs of the day, the details of income and the expenditure of the previous day are reverentially presented to the Lord. The golden throne that is used during this court is stored in the adjacent grilled chamber.
There are two rooms on either side of the golden door. In the right side room, the Hundi collections are kept. In the left side room, the Lord’s jewels that is, the crown, the conch, the chakra, necklaces made of diamonds, gems, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, topazes and so on are kept.

Lord Rama Mansion(Ramulavari Meda):-

Immediately crossing Snapana Mandapam, there is a very narrow passage, which is known as Lord Rama’s mansion. There are two raised platforms on either side of this passage. Earlier, idols were kept on these platforms. At present these idols are placed inside the room. Yet the name has remained the same.

Sayana Mandapam:-

In this room, there is a golden cot with silk mattress hung by silver chains on which the Lord’s idol is seen relaxing, hence the name ‘Sayana Mandapam’. In this room the offerings are kept in front of the Lord. These offerings are never taken beyond this threshold of the Sanctum.

Kulasekhara Padi:-

The threshold in front of the Lord is called Kulasekhara Padi. Kulasekhara was a Vaishnava devotee. He had made a humble request to the Lord, to transform him to a stone threshold in front of Lord so that he will have a glimpse of divine beauty every day! Hence, this threshold was named after him.

 Sanctum Sanctorum :-

The spot where Lord Sri Venkateswara’s self-inducted statue is located in the Sanctum Sanctorum is called Ananda Nilayam. Earlier there used to be a Pradakshina (circumambulation) passage around this Ananda Nilayam. A wall was built around this sanctum and the Vimanam in between 1244 A.D. – 1250 A.D. Over a period of time, with the construction of Ananda Nilayam, Sayana Mandapam and Lord Rama’s Mansion, this passage around the Sanctum was closed.

Bangaru bavi:-

The well beside the main kitchen is known as ‘Bangaru bavi’. The water from this well is used for Abhishekam, Archana and cooking food for the Lord.

Ankurpana Mandapam:-

To the south of ‘Bangaru Bavi’ and opposite to the main kitchen is located ‘Ankurpana Mandapam’. Ankurapanam means the sprouting of nine varieties of grains usually called ‘Navadhanyam’ before every festivity and every celebration.
The idols of Anantha, Garuda, Vishwaksena (Lord’s army chief) and the idols of Lord Sri Rama’s attendant deities Sugreeva, Angada and Anjaneya are kept in this Mandapam and priests offer Teertham (holy water) to the devotees in this place.

Yagasala:-

The room adjacent to Ankurarpana mandapam is the Yagasala, where all yagas and homams (sacrificial fire) have been performed since ages. But at present they are performed in the Kalyana mandapam located in Sampangi Pradakshina. However, during Brahmotsavams these rituals are performed in the Yagasala.

Nanala Parakamani(Coins counting room):-


This was gradually constructed over a period of time by the representative of Vijayanagara Empire named Chennappa in 1586 A.D. Actually, this was the place where Kalyanotsavams were performed 50 years ago. Due to pilgrim rush, this has been shifted to ‘Sampangi Pradakshinam’.

Notla Parakamani(Counting room for paper currency):-

The present location where the counting process was carried out was earlier used for several purposes. At present, this mandapam is used for counting currency notes. Transparent glasses are arranged around this place for the pilgrims to witness the process of counting.

Chandanapu Ara:-

The sandal paste required for daily usage of the Lord is prepared here. Large stones are arranged here for making sandal paste from sandal wood. The sandal paste required for various festivals throughout the year is prepared here.

Ananda Nilaya Vimanam :-

The golden abode of the Lord of the universe is Ananda Nilaya. It is the sacred place where the Lord Sri Venkateswara receives his ‘Poojas’ and ‘archanas’. The golden gopuram on this Ananda Nilaya is the ‘Ananda Nilaya Vimana’, which is also known as Bangaru Gopura Vimanam. As per mythology, Garuthmantha (Vehicle of Sri Vishnu) brought this Ananda Nilaya Vimanam from Vaikuntam (the celestial abode of Vishnu) and consecrated it in this sacred place as desired by Lord Sri Vishnu. This Golden Gopuram carries 64 images of various deities of Hindu mythology.

Record Room:-

Close to the place from where Vimana Venkateswara is seen, is the record room with a sign board fixed atop. In this room all records and files pertaining to the ornaments of the main and processional deity are kept. All details of the weight and value of the silverware and gold ornaments are recorded in the ledgers.

Record Vedic Room:-

Beginning from the record room, Veda pundits seated there, melodiously recite the slokas from the Vedas.

Sabha Ara(Shelf):-

All the articles such as the golden umbrellas, silver torches, camphor plates and silk robes used in Lord’s processions are kept here. The golden cot with silk mattress used for the Ekanta Seva of the Lord is also stored here.

Sankeerthana Bhandaram (Treasury of Sankeertanas):-

Adjacent to the Sabha Ara, there is the treasury of Sankeertanas. There are two statues on either side of this room. One is of the great Saint Poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, who has penned over 32,000 songs in praise of the Lord Sri Venkateswara, while the other one is of his elder son Tallapaka Peda Tirumalacharyulu, who had also paid literary tribute to Lord Sri Venkateswara. All these songs were inscribed on copper plates and kept in safe custody in this place.
 During 1525-30 A.D. the construction of the trove was completed and all the works of Tallapaka family were inscribed on copper plates and safely kept in Tallapaka shelf. It is said that all hymns originally written were on Palmyra leaves and later on transcribed on copper plates by his son Tirumalacharya.
 The king of Vijayanagara dynasty, Achyutarayalu, helped in constructing this treasure trove and preserved the great works of Annamayya. The corpus of Tallapaka came to light when great scholar, epigraphist Sri Sadu Subramanya Sastri, who worked in different posts in TTD from 1919 to 1946 A.D., sighted the inscriptions.
 Due to his efforts, today nearly eleven thousand Annamacharya Sankeertans have seen the light of day and TTD has been composing the music for these musical notations with eminent musicians and released many CDs and DVDs in the recent times.

Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu:-

Just beside Tallapaka treasure trove there is a pavilion called ‘Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu’. There is a granite statue of Sri Ramanuja in this pavilion. Sri Ramanuja in his long life of 120 years (1017 – 1137 A.D.) visited Tirumala thrice. In those days, very reluctant to trample the holy hills with his feet, he climbed the seven hills on his knees. It is said that he took rest at a point now known as ‘Mokali Mitta’. In his memory, a temple was constructed here. He has rendered Yeoman service to the Lord at Tirumala.
 Sri Ramanuja streamlined the rituals of the temple as per Vaikhanasa Agama and handed it over to the posterity.

Sankrusthapana Stambam:-

King Thondamanu laid the foundation at this place before the commencement of construction of Ananda Nilaya Gopuram and other associated works.

Parimala Ara(Shelf Of Fragnance):-

The fragrant shelf is seen on the way from Sankusthapana Stambam. The perfumes and aromatics used for the Lord are sent from this place. Devotees believe that their wish will be fulfilled if they write their wish on this sacred stone.

Srivari Hundi:-

After having the darshan of the Lord, the devotees deposit their offerings to the Lord in this Hundi. The temple complex was modified many times for creating easy passage to the devotees. But the hundi was never shifted from this place as it is believed that “Sri Chakra Yantra” (the holy instrument which invokes all riches)lies underneath the main hundi.

Kataha Theertham:-

To the left side of the exit of Hundi room and opposite to Annamacharya treasure trove there is ‘Kataha Theertham’, a tub like structure. This is where the Abhisheka theertham (holy water) emanating from the feet of the Lord is collected.

Mukkoti Pradakshinam :-

Mukkoti Pradakshinam begins at Lord Rama’s mansion that is beyond Ghanta Mandapam in the pathway of Vimana Pradakshina. This is kept open every year on the days of Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikuntha Dwadasi. On these days, this passage is kept open from midnight to midnight. The doors of this passage are called ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’.

Anantalwar  Crowbar:-

Anantalwar, one of the chief disciples of Sri Ramanujacharya, pioneered “Pushpa Kainkaryam” in Tirumala and became one of the prominent and ardent devotees of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
 However, to examine his devotion, the Lord went on to test him. In this interesting story, Sri Ramanujacharya, the great Acharyapurusha who revived the rituals in Tirumala temple, while teaching his disciples about the greatness of Tirumala told them that, the Lord was very fond of adorning himself with flowers as he is “Alankarapriya”. He asked if anyone of them was capable of growing a garden in Tirumala braving the chill climate and insects, to present flowers to the Lord. Anantalwar, said he is prepared to do that and went to Tirumala with his wife.
 In a bid to develop a beautiful garden for the Pushpakainkaryam of the Lord, Anantalwar initially wanted to dig a pond to water the plants. He wanted to do this task without taking the help from outsiders. The Lord felt happy about the couple’s dedication and decided to help them. He approached the couple as a 12-year old boy but Anantalwar refuseds to take his help.
 On a fine day, the boy helped Anantalwar’s wife who was a full term pregnant and this gesture of the boy enraged Anantalwar. Out of anguish, he threw a crowbar upon the boy. It hit the chin of the boy and blood oozed and dripped off his chin. When Anantalwar went to the temple to worship the Lord, he saw blood oozing out from the chin of the Lord and then he realised, the boy was none other than the Lord himself.
 He realised his mistake and immediately applied camphor to the Lord’s chin. Lord was pleased with his devotion and said that the scar will remain forever and camphor will be applied to cover the mark. This ritual is carried out even today.
 The crowbar used by Anantalwar is also displayed on the Northern Wall of the main entrance.

Other Idols Inside The Temples:-

Sri Krishna idol
 Idols of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and
The Chakrattalvar or Sudarshana
Salagramalu
Sri Ranganadha
Sri Varadarajaswami temple
Vakula Devi
Yoga Narasimha Swami
Bangaru Varalakshmi
Vishwaksena.

Sri Bhu  Varahaswami temple :-

In Tirumala, the East facing Sri Varahaswami temple is located in the North West corner of the temple tank - Swami Pushkarini. As per the temple legend, Lord Srinivasa sought a gift of land from Sri Varahaswami, which he readily granted.
In return, Srinivasa provided him with an agreement deed assuring that he would be paid the first darshan, worship and offerings by all the devotees visiting the temple. This tradition is in practise to this day at Tirumala and Lord Varahaswami continues to receive the age old traditional worship. Even today, all offerings are first made to Lord Varahaswami and then to Lord Sri Venkateswara.

Seven Idols Of Lord Srinivasa(Berams):-

I. Moolavirat or Dhruva Beram
II. Bhoga Srinivasa-The Kautuka Bera
III. Ugra Srinivasa or Snapana Murti
IV. Koluvu Srinivasa or Bali Sera
 V.Sri Malayappan or Utsava Murti

Eight Swayambhu (self-formed) Kshetras‘ of Lord Vishnu:-

This temple is revered as one of the ‘Eight Swayambhu (self-formed) Kshetras‘ of Lord Vishnu.
The eight Swayambhu Kshetras of Lord Vishnu are:
1.Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
2.Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple
3.Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple
4.Vanamamalai Perumal Temple
5.Saligram Temple
6.Naimisaranya Temple
7.Pushkar Temple
8.Badrinath Temple.

Puja:-

The temple follows "Vaikhanasa Agama" tradition of worship, which is believed to be revealed by Sage Vikhanasa and is propagated by his disciples Atri, Bhrigu, Marichi, Kasyapa. Vaikhanasa is one of the principal traditions of Hinduism and primarily worships Vishnu (and his associated Avatars) as the Supreme God. This ancient texts recommends six times puja(worship) a day for Vishnu, of which minimum one puja is mandatory.
1.Prathyusham puja — worship should start and finish before sunrise
2.Prathakala puja — worship should start after sunrise and finish before noon
3.Madhyahna puja — worship should start and finish at noon
4.Aparahana puja — worship should start when the sun starts to descend
5.SandhyaKala puja — worship should start and finish around the sunset
6.Nisi puja — worship should start after the horizon is completely dark
At present only three pujas are performed in Tirumala Temple daily which includes UshaKala puja, Madhyahna puja, Nisi puja.[16] All the Aradhana is done by hereditary Vaikhanasa priests, who have performed the services for generations. Only priests from Gollapalli, Peddintti, Paidipalli, and Tirupathammagari family have the right to offer services to the Lord inside sanctum sanctorum.[citation needed] To assist the Archakas in temple work and rituals, Vaikhanasas from other families and Jeeyar Mattam established by Ramanuja, would take care of the temple work.[citation needed].

Darshan:-

More than 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims will have Darshan of preciding deity, Lord Venkateswara, while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavams, the number of pilgrims visiting the temple shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world. To manage the huge number of Devotees visiting the temple, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams had constructed two Vaikuntam Queue Complexes one in the year 1983 and the other in the year 2000. Vaikuntam Queue complexes will have rooms where Devotees can sit and wait until their turn for Darshan. According to tradition, it is important for a devotee to have darshan of Bhuvaraha swamy temple lying on the northern banks of Swami Pushkarini before having Darshan of Lord Venkateswara in main temple.


Events And Festivals Celebration in Tirumala:-

•Brahmotsavam Festival Celebration:-

 In the month of the September, Tirupati celebrate the most impressive festival, the Brahmotsavam.

•Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival Celebration:-

 In the month of the October, Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival both are the cultural attraction of the tourists.

•Vaishnava Rama Navami Festival celebration:-

 In the month of the March the Vaishnava festival Rama Navami celebrated and  in the September  Janmashtami is also celebrated with a great pomp and snow also.

•Rathasapthami Festival Celebration:-

 In the month of the February, the Rathasapthami is celebrated this is the impressive and beautiful festival renowned with wonderful processions moving Lord Venkateswara statue all about the temple in ornamented chariots.

•Makar Sankrant Festival:-
 Makar Sankranti festival is celebrated in the month of January when the Sun enters the Makara Ras.

Tirumala Brahmotsavam:-

Thousands of devotees every year gather to witness this grand Festival, participate in the rituals, and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara swami. The complete 9 day Festival is a memorable experience for all tourists and devotees. The feeling of complete bliss and heavenly connect is often termed as "Vaikunth anubhav".
On the first day of the Festival Garudadhwaja (flag with the emblem of a black garuda) is hoisted near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. A procession then proceeds of Lord Venkateswara on the Pedda Seshavahana proceeds around four streets of the main temple for two hours until midnight.Ankurarpana and Senadhipati Utsavam are celebrated on the day just before the first day of Brahmotsavam.
In the Brahmotsav celebrations, the powerful snake transforms itself as the vehicle for god. The moral behind the prayers that are offered during Garodtsav, is to pray to God for a living with high values and morals.
‘Srivari Brahmotsavam Festival‘ which is held in the month of September to October is the very famous and the mostly celebrated festival of Tirumala Tirupathi Venkateswara temple, which will be celebrated in a great grand manner for about nine days every year.
Brahmotsavam Festival schedule conducted every year as below:
1st Day – Morning – Dwajarohanam , Evening – Pedda Sesha Vahanam
2nd Day – Morning – Chinna Sesha Vahanam , Evening – Hamsa Vahanam
3rd Day – Morning – Simha Vahanam , Evening – Mutyapu Pandiri Vahanam
4th Day – Morning – Kalpavriksha Vahanam , Evening – Sarvabhoopala Vahanam
5th Day – Morning – Mohini Avatharam , Evening – Garuda Vahanam
6th Day – Morning – Hanumantha Vahanam , Evening – Swarnarathotsavam & Gajavahanam
7th Day – Morning – Suryaprabha Vahanam , Evening – Chandraprabha Vahanam
8th Day – Morning – Rathotsavam , Evening – Ashwa Vahanam
9th Day – Morning – Chakra Snanam & Pallaki Utsavam , Evening – Golden Tiruchi Utsavam & 

Sevas in Tirumala:-

Daily Sevas in Tirumala:-

On any day the sevas started from morning
 Suprabatham
Tomala Seva
Archana
Kalyanotsavam
 Arjita Brahmotsavam
Dolotsavam
Vasantotsavam
Sahasra Deepalankara seva
 Ekanthaseva .

Weekly Sevas:-

Vishesha Pooja (Monday)
Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana (Tuesday)
Sahasra Kalasabhishekam (Wednesday)
Tiruppavada Seva (Thursday)
Abhishekam (Friday)
Vasthralakarana Seva (Friday)
Vasthralakarana Seva (Friday).

Annual Sevas:-

Teppotsavam
Vasantotsavam
Padmavati Parinayam
Abhideyaka Abhishekam
Pushpa Pallaki
Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam
Pavitrotsavam

Prasadam:-

Laddu is the world famous prasadam given at Tirumala Temple recently the Trust has taken copy right of Laddu prasaddam, hence, no one can prepare the same Laddu. Many other delicious prasadams are also available including curd rice, pulihora (tamarind rice), vada and chakkera-pongal (sweet pongal). Free meals are given daily to the pilgrims, and on Thursdays, the Tirupavadai seva occurs, where food items are kept for naivedyam to Lord Srinivasa.

Hair tonsuring:-

Many devotees also have their head tonsured as an offer. The daily amount of hair collected is over a ton. The hair thus gathered is sold by the temple organization a few times a year by public auction to international buyers for use as hair extensions and in cosmetics, bringing over $6M to the temple's treasury[citation needed] .As per puranas hair given by devotees is to coverup the lost hair(it is a very small portion) of lord venkateshwara swamy.

Hundi (donation pot):-

It is believed that 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. Srinivasa sought a loan of one crore and 11.4 million (11,400,000) coins of gold from Kubera and had Viswakarma, the divine architect, create heavenly surroundings in the Seshadri hills. Together, Srinivasa and Padmavathi lived for all eternity while Goddess Lakshmi, understanding the commitments of Lord Vishnu, chose to live in his heart forever.[citation needed] 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.[3] Devotees offer gold as a token of their love for God. Temple sources said that in April 2010 the temple deposited 3,000 kg of gold with SBI as gold offerings in the temple hundi by devotees, which had accumulated for the last several years.

Thulabharam:-

One of the most important offering in this temple, is the 'thulabharam.' In the Thulabaram ritual, a devotee sits on a pan of a weighing balance and the other pan is filled with materials greater than the weight of the devotee. Devotees usually offer sugar, jaggery, tulsi leaves, banana, gold, coins. This is mostly performed with newborn babies or children

Tirumala possibly has the most elaborate arrangement in India to sequence and guide the visiting devotees through the holy shrine. Because of the ever increasing daily rush of devotees, the temple authorities have set up a virtual queue system, where the devotees are given a specific time, only after which they will be allowed into the queue complex. This has resulted in a steep drop (by a factor of five) in the time that devotees need to spend within the Queue Complex leading to the main temple.

General Facilities In Tirumala:-

Free Meals:-

Wholesome free meals will be provided to the devotees in the TTDs Annadanam Complex from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. continuously .

Free Medical Aid:-

Pilgrims are given free medicine aid at Aswini Hospital and Vaikuntam 'Q' complex I & II. In case of emergency, the patients will be rushed to the Ruia Hospital, SVIMS or BIRRD for treatment.
Free Bus:  Free buses are operated at Tirumala for the benefit of pilgrims. It covers cottages, choultries, temple and other places.

Free Local Buses In Tirumala:-

The sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala hills is easily accessible by free buses around tirumala. Every 10 mins free buses will move .

How To Reach Tirumala Tirupati:-


The sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala hills is easily accessible by all modes of transport. After reaching Tirupati, one can easily travel to Tirumala by road or on foot.

By Road:-

Tirumala has direct bus services from Tirupati with a frequency of a bus in every 2 minutes. It also has direct buses from Chennai, Bengaluru and Vellore. Paid taxis and private bus operators also ply buses from nearby cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakapatnam and Bangalore to Tirupati.
Automobile Clinic - In case of vehicle breakdowns on the ghat roads, TTD offers service through its automobile clinic levying certain charges on case to case basis. The pilgrims can either report at Toll Gates of Alipiri or GNC in Tirumala or contact 0877-2263636 for immediate help. A mechanic will be sent in a mobile van equipped with spares, to attend to the problem by TTD transport department.
Buses and other transport are banned on ghat road from Tirupati to Tirumala between 12 AM and 3 AM.

By Rail :-

Tirumala does not have its own railway station. The nearest railway station is in Tirupati, which is about 26 km from Tirumala. Tirupati railway station is a major railway station and is well equipped with five platforms and an escalator. It is well connected to major cities across India.

By Air :-

The nearest airport to Tirumala is near Renigunta about 15 km from Tirupati. This domestic airport has direct flights to Hyderabad, Visakapatnam, Chennai, New Delhi and Bangalore and is now being upgraded to an International airport.

On Foot :-

Many devotees climb the hills to Tirumala on foot to fulfil a vow. There are two well-laid stone footpaths leading to Tirumala. These paths are called sopanamargas. The most ancient of the two sopanamargas starts from Alipiri at the foot of the hills. This footpath is 11 km in length and is the commonly used route. The other sopanamarga (Srivari mettu) starts from Chandragiri and is only about 6 km in length.
TTD provides and maintains rest houses, security, canteen, toilets, drinking water, medical help, piped devotional music throughout the footpaths. TTD also provides luggage transfer facility, free of cost for the devotees opting to climb the hills on foot to Tirumala.


Dress code to The Devotees:-

According to this code, a woman devotee can wear saree or a chudidar with chunni, whereas a male devotee can wear dhoti or lungi with uttareeyam or kurta-pyjama. "A simple shirt and trousers are also allowed, but it would be ideal if men wear dhoti and uttariyam. Other than these traditional dresses, no other outfits like bermudas, T-shirts, jeans, shorts and other Western-style dresses are permitted," a TTD official said.

Other Places In Tirumala:-


Besides the sacred Vaishnavite iconic temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy which is a marvel and a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, there are many other places to visit and things to admire on the Tirumala hills. Some of the must visit places in Tirumala are Swami Pushkarini, Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy temple, Sri Hathiramjee Mutt, Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy temple, Srivari Sikhara Darshanam, Sila Thoranam, Dharmagiri, Narayangiri, Papavinasanam, Akasa Ganga water falls, Temple Museum, Asthana Mandapams and Gogarbham Gardens.
Theeerthams

There are several teerthams in Tirumala, some of them are Pandava Teertham, Kumaradhara Teertham, Tumbhuru Teertham, Ramakrishna Teertham, Chakra Teertham, Vaikuntha Teertham, Sesha Teertham, Sitamma Teertham, Pasupu Teertham, Jupali Teertham, Sanaka Sanandana Teertham. Important festivals that are held at the teerthams are -Kumaradhara Magha Pournami, Ramakrishna Pushya Pournami Tumbhuru Phalguna Pournami, Chakra Karthika Masa – Ksheerabdhi Dwadasi.

Places around Tirupati:-

Srikalahasti Temple
Srinivasa Mangapuram
Sri Padmavati Devi Alayam (Alamelu Mangapuram)
Sri Govinda Raja Swami Temple
Sri Kodanda Rama Swami Temple
Sri Kapileswara Swami Temple
Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple