Tirupati Balaji – the temple of seven hills – where nearly 30-35 million devotees visit the temple every year, pay their respects, and seek blessings is as extraordinary in reality as it sounds. The Tirumala Srinivasa temple, the most famous temple with the holiest shrine in Hinduism, standing on the Venkata hill in Andhra Pradesh is said to be the abode of Lord Vishnu who took the form of Lord Venkateswara to save mankind from the evils of Kali Yuga.

The History of the Devasthanam

Legend has it that once upon a time, Rishis were performing a Yagna during the Kali Yuga. While the Yagna was being performed, Narada, the messenger of the Gods, suddenly had a question in his mind. He wanted to know who would be given the fruit of this Yagna. Then Rishi Bhrigu was sent to all three gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, to enquire about the same.

Maharshi Bhrigu was one of the Saptarishis, a very knowledgeable and renowned sage who had a third eye on his foot. He started his journey and met Lord Brahma at Satyaloka and Lord Shiva at Kailasha but he was very upset by the fact that no one noticed him and his third eye.

At Vaikunta, he saw Lord Vishnu reclining on the Adishesha with his divine consort Goddess Lakshmi. Sage Bhrigu felt he was being insulted and thinking that Lord Vishnu was sleeping to avoid him, Sage Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu in the chest. Lord Vishnu awoke and started massaging his feet, thereby squashing his third eye, symbolizing Bhrigu’s ego and arrogance. Sage Bhrigu realized his mistake and said that the fruit of the yagnya would go to Lord Vishnu.

However, Goddess Lakshmi was very upset by the sage’s behavior and left Vaikunta. Lord Vishnu took the mortal form of Srinivasa in Tirumala Hills and married Padmavati who was the daughter of Akasaraja.

Goddess Lakshmi came to Tirumala to ask Lord Vishnu about his marriage. It is said that Srinivasa turned into a rock when he was confronted by Lakshmi and Padmavati.  Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva then explained the story to Devi Lakshmi who was mollified. Devi Lakshmi and Devi Padmavathi turned to stone as well, to remain by Lord Venkateswara’s side forever. On his left side resides Goddess Lakshmi and on the right side resides Devi Padmavathi.

About the Tirumala Srinivasa Devasthanam

The Tirumala Devasthanam has been spoken of in various literary works and many religious texts or Puranas, such as the Varaha Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. The great regimes who have ruled southern India such as Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, and the Vijayanagara rulers were devotees of Lord Venkateshwara and they have played a crucial role in building the temple for Lord Venkateswara Swamy.

King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara contributed a lot of his wealth to build the major shrine – Ananda Nilayam in 1517. Raghoji I Bhonsle, a Maratha warrior was the first person to set up a financial section in the temple to deal with offerings, donations, and people’s visits.

Ancient scripts tell us that honoring Lord Venkateshwara at the Tirupati Balaji temple and seeking his divine blessings is a way to attain Mukti or Moksha and free oneself from the cycle of birth and death. The purity and sanctity of the temple is found mentioned in various Puranas – such as the Garuda Purana, Varaha Purana, Markandeya Purana, Brahma Purana, and many others.

Lord Venkateshwara bestows his followers with his hopes and ambitions and blesses them with a peaceful and wealthy life. A darshanam of Lord Venkateshwara and a visit to the Tirumala Srinivasa Devasthanam is the most peaceful journey you can offer yourself.