Tirumala Tirupathi |
Places in Tirumala..........
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The Swami Pushkarini (The Sacred Temple
Water Tank): |
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It is very usual and highly probable to find
a water tank either just beside or nearby every Hindu temple constructed during the
ancient and medieval times. The waters of the tank were strictly for temple purposes only
- like for the God's "bath" that is a ritual/worship, cleaning and washing the
temples insides and outsides, for use inside the temples for drinking purposes (Not in
Tirumala, though), kitchens (if any) and by large, by the folk that stay and live by the
temple like the priests' families and workers, for their daily uses. The water's |
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chief and famous uses are bathing and
washing by the visiting pilgrims who take a dip or swim in it and, above all, for the
temple's special occasions when the divine images are taken in the temple boat, in the
tank waters. The water in the Swami Pushkarini is absolutely NOT stagnant OR infected. It
has a state-of-the-art recycling facility and water is treated before it gets into and
recycled continuously. Swami Pushkarini was a pleasure tank of Sri Maha Vishnu in
Vaikuntham, and was brought and set on Earth by Garuda, for the sport of Sri
Venkateshwara. It is adjacent to the Sri Venkateshwara temple. A bath in the Swami
Pushkarini is believed to clean pilgrims of their sins and bestow temporal prosperity.
Pilgrims bath here before entering the main temple. A bath in the holy tank purifies one's
body and soul.
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The Akashganga Waterfall: |
The Akashganga (Heavenly Ganges likened to
The Milky Way OR heavenly river) waterfall is about 3 Kms north of the Tirumala temple.
This is very famous for the prime reason is that its waters are used for The Lord's bath
every day. In the olden days, the priestess took turns to carry the water all the way from
this part of jungle to the temple in the wee morning hours by the rough walk path that
meanders thru the jungle even to this day. After the Tirumala Tirupati Devsthanam came
into existence, water lines were laid into the temple |
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and thus simplified! This is a beautiful
place where the mountain stream gushes out in a deep but very well paved and accessible
ravine. Water is procured from this place for Abhishekam. In rainy season Akashganga's
gushing waters provide a beautiful sight and a bath here at that time is really
refreshing.
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The Papa Vinashanam (cleanser of Sins): |
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About 5 Kms north of the Tirumala temple is
a deep bowl formed by the surrounding hills that created a reservoir ages ago and many a
mountain stream emptied into it. This came to be known as the Papavinashanam (The Cleanser
of sins). Its waters were initially used for worshipping purposes but abandoned later
because of the distance from the temple. It is still used though,for special occasions. To
conserve water forever increasing number of pilgrims and therefore, the temple township, a
dam was constructed across but the pilgrims, thus preserving the tradition, provided a
bypass for bathing. It is |
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believed that the holy waters of this
place dissolve the sins of the devotees. Hence this place is known as Papavinashanam. A
dam constructed here regulates the water flow.
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The Great Geological Arch (Shila Thoranam): |
During excavations in the 1980's on a mound
of earth in the jungles 1 km. North of the temple where it was believed that some
information lied buried about the Lord's transformation into rock, a very rare phenomenon
of two different sets of rocks connected together in the form of a thin link was found.
This formation is known to exist elsewhere only at the 4 fingers of Texas and somewhere in
Australia. This is pretty small in size relatively but what makes it unique and astounding
is that nowhere in rock formations known to exist |
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on the Indian soil
have been found to be of this type and also, the height of The Lord confirms exactly to
the distance of the pinnacle of the arch from the foot of the same! Also, two other
formations excavated along with resemble the celestial conch and the discus that are the
Lord's possessions. These have not been carved even remotely. They are formed naturally
very mysterious indeed! This geological arch is a very rare spectacle in the world. This
arch (older than the Jurassic age) is 25ft in length, l0ft in height. Pilgrims must make
it a point to visit this wonder of the world during their Tirumala trip. No buses are
available. A private vehicle or a 20-minute walk from Sri Varahaswamy Temple brings you
here.
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Sri Varahaswami Temple: |
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The famous temple of Sri Varahaswami in
Tirumala is to the north of the Sri Venkateshwara temple, on the banks of Swami
Pushkarini. The presiding deity is Varaha Swami, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form
of a boar that was staying on the hills when The Lord descended unto earth. HE had to take
permission from Lord Varaha to stay here and grant HIM (Lord Varaha), the privilege of
first view by the visiting pilgrims and first Naivedyam (sacred offering of food to Lord
for consecration) in return. Thus it is imperative that |
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pilgrims visit Sri
Varaha Swami first and The Lord, only later. According to legend, Tirumala was originally
the Adi Varahakshetra (place belonging to Sri Adi Varahaswami). Lord Sri Venkateshwara
took up residence here, with the permission of Sri Varahaswami. According to Brahmapurana,
Naivedyam (food offered to God) should first be offered to Sri Varahaswami. Pilgrims
should visit Sri Varahaswami temple prior to Sri Venkateshwara temple. According to Atri
Samhita (Samurtarchanadhikara), Varaha Avatara is worshipped in three ways as Adi Varaha,
Pralaya Varaha, and Yajna Varaha. The idol of Sri Varahaswami in Tirumala is that of Adi
Varaha, as it resembles the description of the Adi Varaha Murti in Vaikhanasa Agama texts.
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Sri Venkateshwara Temple: |
The ancient and sacred
temple of Sri Venkateshwara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of
the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.The sanctum
sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated
in the main temple complex of Tirumala. There are several exquisitely carved doorways,
mandapams and shrines that you will come across inside the Sri Venkateshwara Temple
complex. Inside the Temple complex main places are Padi Kavali Maha Dwara Sampangi
Pradakshinam, Krishna Devaraya Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam Tirumala Raya Mandapam, Aaina
Mahal, Dhwajasthambha Mandapam Nadimi Padi Kavili, Vimana Pradakshinam, Sri
Varadarajaswami Shrine Potu, The Main Shrine, Sankeertana Bhandara, Bangaru Bavi, Snapana
Mandapam Ramar Meda, Shayana Mandapam, Garbha Gruha, Kalyana Mandapam Sri Ramanuja Shrine,
Sri Narasimhaswami Shrine, Tirumamani Mandapam Bangaru Vakili, Mukkoti Pradakshinam, Sri
Vishwaksena Temple, Sri Yoga Narasimhaswami Temple, Sri Garuda Temple.
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Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswami Temple: |
Sri Anjaneyaswami
temple is located opposite the Sri Varahaswami temple on the North Eastern banks of the
Swami Pushkarini. It was constructed during the Mahant's period. The idol's hands are
joined in supplication (in the Anjali pose).
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Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple: |
Sri Anjaneyaswami is
believed to be a bestowed of boons and a protector from all-evil. Abhishekam is conducted
every Sunday.
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Teerthams: |
There are several
teerthams in Tirumala, like Swami Pushkarini, Akashganga Teertham, Papavinashanam
Teertham, Pandava Teertham, Kumaradhara Teertham, Tumbhuru Teertham, Ramakrishna Teertham,
Chakra Teertham, Vaikuntha Teertham, Sesha Teertham, Sitamma Teertham, Pasupu Teertham,
Japali Teertham, Sanaka Sanandana Teertham Important festivals at the teerthams are held
on Kumaradhara Magha Pournami, Ramakrishna Pushya Pournami Tumbhuru Phalguna Pournami,
Chakra Karthika Masa - Ksheerabdhi Dwadasi.
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TTD Gardens: |
The TTD Gardens -
ornamental, landscape and flower gardens - occupy an area of 460 acres in Tirupati and
Tirumala. The gardens were set up to beautify the area in and around Tirumala The Gardens
Department of TTD meets the demand for flowers of all the temples in Tirumala. It supplies
garlands for adorning the deities and for decorating the mandapam, pandals and vahanas on
festive occasions.
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Ashthana Mandapam: |
The Ashthana Mandapam or Sadas
Hall is an auditorium near the main temple complex. Cultural events are held here.
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Dhayana Mandiram: |
Originally Sri
Venkateshwara Museum was established in 1980. Stone and wooden carvings, articles used for
puja, and traditional art and architecture are displayed here.
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