Saturday, May 23, 2020

Are non-Hindus allowed inside Tirupati Balaji Temple?

 Yes. Tirupati allows all humanity irrespective of their faith.

But many Temples, do have restrictions, to enter temple or garbh grih.

Many temples did have restrictions in history, in one or some other point in time. Especially, during islamic and european invasions, certain communities who had contact with Sufi spies or Christian Priests, are not allowed and relaxations happened when there was peace.

For the sake of “Not losing treasures, architectural excellence and to avoid bad vibes of other sects” it is necessary, not to allow Non Hindus.

Today in Tirupati, Non Hindus, on paper, has to sign a declaration that they respect Hinduism and not there to propogate other religious beliefs and they believe in the deity. I do not know, how many non hindus follow that.

The fall out already happened. It is natural and human tendency to possess other wealthy temples as their own.

1.Jains entered the temple, they claim that it is a Jain temple and the lord is Neminath.

2.Buddhists entered the temples, they claim that it is a Buddhist temple.

3.Saktha who entered claim it is a Murugan temple.

How many of the pilgrims know:

Tirupati belongs to Sri Vaishnavism tradition. One of the 108 Divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavites. This is an important pilgrimage to Sri Vaishnavites. The rituals are performed according to Vaikanasa system.

Hinduism is a recent broad term to represent majority of religions originated and practiced in Indian subcontinent.

Within Hinduism, those who worship Vishnu are called Vaishnavites. Within Vaishnavism, Sri Vaishnavism is a sect which is inclusive of Sri (or Thiru or Lakshmi). Hence the name Tirupati (Pati of Thiru or Lakshmi). Similarly ISKCON follows Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Sri Vaishnavism has two branches, Vadakalai head quartered at Kanchi and Thenkalai head quartered at Nanguneri in Tiruneveli District.

It is not only pilgrimage place, it has historic importance and Family God of sizable population.

Tirupati played a major historic role from 13th century onwards to unite all south to form a Hindu empire and to defeat islamic invasions. Patronised by victorious kings with lot of endowments of Jewelry and villages.

The deity of Sri Rangam Temple, the world’s largest functioning temple, Sri Ranga Nathar resided at South East corner of the temple for 48 years (1323 - 1371) in 14th century, till his destructed temple(by Malik Kafur) at Tiruchi was rebuilt by Vijayanagara Empire.

The rulers of Vijayanagara Empire and Naicker Kingdoms and many polypats in Tamil country were predominatly Sri Vaishnavites and many have Venkatadri as their Kuladeivams (Family Gods).

Tirupati was earlier attacked by Portuguese and a golden goose for Nizams, Marathas, British.

For the sake of “Not losing treasures, architectural excellence and to avoid bad vibes of other sects” it is necessary, not to allow Non Hindus.

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