Here are 25 randomly picked fascinating stories about Tirupati, extracted from “108 Fascinating Stories of Tirupati” by Narasimha Renga Venkatadri Appasamy
1.Tirumala Tirupati is truly a VVIP temple as many emperors of Southern India, preferred to perform their first coronation ceremony at Tirpati, before crowned as emperor. The list includes Vijayanagata Emperors- Saluva Narasimha Raya Tuluva Narasa Naicker, Vira Narasimha Raya, Krishna Devaraya, Achuta Devaraya and many followed.
Krishna Devarayas coronation took place in two places- first at Tirupati Venkatadri Temple and second at Hampi. He gifted “Gnana Chintamani “ to Sri Rangam and its verses recited every morning till his rule.
Achuta Devarayas coronation took place in three places- first at Tirupati Venkatadri Temple, second at Kalahasti and third at Hampi. He gifted/ endowed villages to Kanchi Perumal Kovil and Ekambareswar temple.
2.Each and every ritual in Tirupati has a history attached to it. To cite an example, Sri Vari Ghanta Naadham or Bell Sound at Night 7.30 to 7.50 pm.
Quote:
The bell sound (Sri Vari Ghanta Naadham) has a long history dating back to 1592.
Venkatadri Raya of Vijayanagara Empire wanted to shift his capital from Penukonda to Tirumala so that he can worship the deity daily in his temple.
(Little description about the emperor -Venkatadri Raya a.k.a Venkata II 1585-1616 : His reign of three decades saw a revival of the strength and prosperity of the empire, after the empires humiliating defeat at Talikota in 1565. He dealt successfully with the deccan sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda, the internal disorders, promoting economic revival in the country.)
But Lord Venkateswara had other plans.
While discussing his pet project at Tirupati Temple, an eagle came down and taken away his turban (mistaken as flesh). His soldiers followed the eagle to bring back his turban. The eagle finally dropped it in Chandragiri, few Kms away from temple, which became Emperor's place for his pet project.
He shifted his capital to Chandragiri in 1592. He used to take dinner only after feeding ritual of the God is completed. To inform him of the completion of the feeding ritual(neyvedyam) of the Lord, the bell is ring.
This is continuing since then at 19.30 pm till 19.50 pm. The bell sound, called Sri Vari Ghanta Naadham being telecasted in SVBC channel from the temple, live, everyday. One may tune to hear it.
Below is the 2000 year chronology of Tirupati:
(based on History of Tirupati- a TTD publication)
3.The idol is stated to have buried inside an ant hill. It was discovered by some cowherds and reported it to the King Tondaiman in the first century BC or AD. He built a temple to house the idol. Whether the temple was of cut stone, brick in mud or wood, we are not told.
4.Account of the Temple found in Tamil classic Silappadhikaram states that the idol on the hill represented Vishnu (Sengan Nediyon). The description states that the Sun and the Moon illumined the deity shows that there is no covering at the top or that the covering was of a pavilion type.
5.Alvars who flourished in the 8th and 9th centuries, who sang the glories of the lord referred only the sanctity of the Hill, not the temple.
Nammalvar (one of 12 Alwars who revived Vaishnavism) details 10 reasons to visit Tirupati in Tiruvaimozhi 3rd Song.
6.The present temple would have built later during the Pallava regime and the temple is not built at one and the same time.
7.Garbhagraham and ante chamber was built at the end of 9th century or early 10th century.
8.Reconsecration of the deity done by Sri Ramanujar 1130. At that point in time there was no Gopuram.
9.Between 1330 till 1370, Sri Ranganathar idol of Sri Rangam was kept here as there was no safe place other than the Hill they found after the attack of Malik Kafur on Sri Rangam.
10.Till 13th century, only Tamil Pilgrims had Venkatadri as their beloved Deity. The attack by Malik Kafur brought all South Indians together to fight back. Tirupati temple played a major political role during that period. Till this time there is no account of Telugu or Kannada or other pilgrims to this temple.
11.Attack on Sri Rangam, Kanchi and Madurai brought Telugu Speaking Pallavas, Kannada Speaking Chalukyas and Hoyslas together on the hills to see Sri Ranganathar and to liberate Tamil Country. (One can see now Ranga Mandapam in South East corner of the temple - without Ranganathar)
12.The extension of the temple structures extended upto the 15th and 16th centuries.
13. Endowmenting the villages started from Saluva Narasimha of Vijayanagara Empire in 1480 followed by the famous emperor Krishna DevaRaya and Achuta Raya.
14.Pushkarni steps are constructed in 16th Century.
15.Portuguese in 16th century planned to loot treasures in Tirupati Temple. When portuguese troup went to the temple, Aliya Rama Raya of Vijayanagara was there with his huge army. Portuguese flee from East coast(Chennai) to Bengal. This has led to the attack by Vittala Raya in Goa. Portuguese surrendered
16.After the defeat in Talikota in 1565, the Aravittu dyansty of Vijayanagara Empire lasted another 95 years and they patronsied the temple till 1660.
17.After 1660 invaders found the way to negotiate the hills through passess in Eastern Ghatts and taken their pound of wealth from this Golden Goose for not destructing it. This continued upto East India Co.
18.After independence, when AP is carved out from erstwhile Madras State, Tirupati become a part of AP.
19.Tirumala Tirupati Temple belongs to Sri Vaishnavism Tradition. (Sri or Tiru refers to Maha Lakshmi Thayar) performing Vaikhasana ritual with Jeeyar from Tenkalai Tradition head quartered at Nanguneri.
20.Power of Balaji:
It would be interesting, if one say, because other temples were invaded (Sri Rangam, Madurai Meeanakshi in 1323) Tirumala Tirupati becomes famous.
Sri Rangam was very famous in those days. When Malik Kafur invaded Sri Rangam in 1323. The temple was defended and according to the Tamil tradition some 13,000 Sri Vaishnavas devotees of Srirangam, died in the fierce battle.
They found Sri Rangam or Kanchi or Madurai were no longer safe. The idol of Sriranganathar was taken through villages of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. They finally went to the hills of Tirumala Tirupati, where they remained until the temple was rebuilt in 1371.
This is the power of Thiruvengadam Hills that it fulfilled the wishes of Gods and redeveloped their temples (of Sri Ranganathar, Meenakshi, Sudareswar) within 48 years. That is the reason, his devotees believe their wishes will be manifested within 48 days.
21.Political Importance & Formation of Hindu Empire:
Because of Ranganathar idol kept in Tirumala Tirupati for 48 years (It is called Ranga Mandapam -now, without Ranganathar, at South East Corner of the Temple), this tiny temple of Tamil country, become political importance. Till then the pilgrims were from Tamil country. Now Tamils could meet Telugu and Kannada speaking Pallavas, Chalukyas and Hoysalas because of Ranganathar.
Hoysalas try to liberate Maduarai but their king Ballala was killed in a battle. Finally Vijayanagara Emperors liberated, Kanchi, Sri Rangam and Madurai. They (Bukkaraya’s Son Kumara Kampanna and Saluva Narasimharaya’s grand father) used to frequent Tirupati in those 48 years of Sri Rangnathar’s stay in Tirupati. (It took 200 years to rebulid the present day Sri Rangam by Vijayanagara Kings, Maduari and Thanjavur Naickers.) Later Krishna Devaraya and his successors patronised this temple with lot of Jewels, Gifts and Grants and endowment of villages.
22.Journey through Seven Hills:
Here the Lord, who manifested here due to a kick of Bhrigu Maharishi on his chest, is the Servant of Bhakta. He always take care of Pilgrims.
Earlier Tirumala Tirupati was inaccessible in the past due to its location in the Eastern Ghatts. Early kings of Chola, Pallava, Pandya, Vijayanagara were liberal in providing grants and free comforts to pilgrims as they have to negotiate hardship in travelling. Today also TTD provides lot of comforts for those who walk up the steps, as they are dearer to Venkatadri.
Tirupati temple can be reached by steps. The major route is about 11 kms and there are about 3550 steps.
The motorable road is from last 6 decades only, while the temple is of over 2000 years old.
Many, including Senior Citizens from 60 even upto 90, do sankalpa and complete it. Many NRIs patiently accompany 80 year old mom to slowly climbing up the steps.
If any one walks for the first time, he prefer walking only in subsequent visits. For youngsters it is a type of trekking in a forest, with lot of greenery and enjoyable.
For us, not only the deity, the entire Hill, the range of seven hills including Venkatadri (where the Lord resides), in Eastern Ghatts is considered sacred.
When the pilgrim negotiates the 11 km through harship of walking 3550 steps or in comfort on bus / car, his body, mind and soul experiences the dharana, pratyahara and oneness with his deity, manifesting his wishes.
It is the faith and an experience to live visually many times in one’s life.
22.TTD Temples in India:
Apart from Tirumala Tirupati, TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam) runs many many temples in India and around the world.
In North, the following temples are constructed and run bt TTD. Not only the rituals, even ingredients used in cooking prasadams exactly followed as per Tirumala.
*Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams Andhra Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
*Venkateswara Temple, New Delhi
*Tirupati Balaji Temple, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
*Sri Venkateswara Swamy Tirupati Balaji Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana
23.Tamil Connection and Tamil Inscriptions:
No. Tirupati does not belong to Tamil Nadu.
But Tirupati Venkatadri belong to everyone in the world, including his Tamil devotees. He still prefers to hear Tamil pasurams.
Till 13th century, only Tamil Pilgrims had Venkatadri as their beloved Deity. The attack by Malik Kafur brought all South Indians together to fight back. Tirupati temple played a major political role during that period. Till this time there is no account of Telugu or Kannada or other pilgrims to this temple.
Tirupati played a major role in political fortunes of Tamil Country from 13th to 17th century and safe guarded it from Invasions.
The temple belongs to Sri Vaishnavism Sect performing Vaikhasana ritual with Jeeyar from Tenkalai Tradition head quartered at Nanguneri.
One can find the tamil inscriptions upto 1641.After that inscriptions are found in Telugu and Devanagiri with Kanungos replacing Kanakka Pillais.
24.Tirupati - A Siddha Bhoomi
Kongana Siddhar was born in Oothiyur in present Erode District in 4th to 5th century.
Because of it, the areas adjust to that village are called Kongu Nadu.
The place is famous for forging of metals into idols or any instruments.
He was born to the family of metal smith, so naturally he was good at forging metals and transmutation of the same.
After a brief period of family life and he quit it for the search of supreme truth to dispel all kinds of ignorance.
He got the privilege of being mentored by Siddhar Bogar.
He learnt Siddha Medicine System under Siddhar Bogar and became a power house of knowledge.
Siddhar Bogar describes Konganavar as the first and best disciple among his students.
He also learnt the gospels of Siddha from Agathiyar.
He excelled in alchemy, Siddha yoga, Siddha gnana philosophies, Siddha meditation and also as a physician.
He compiled numerous treatises on alchemy and medicine, which is a way ahead from the modern discoveries and innovations in the field of chemistry and medicine.
He by his austerities, strong mind and will power raised himself to the level of a great Siddha.
He lived for long and performed astounding miracles and discoveries in the field of Siddha science for the benefit of mankind and world.
He also got knowledge transfer from Siddha Gautamar and Pararishi
Use of copper compounds in Tamil Siddha Medicine System came in vogue by incisive and fastidious intellects of Siddhar Konganavar or Konganar.
He synthesized all the copper compounds from the extracts of stipulated herbs and used it as a Siddha Medicines.
He was trailed as the “Father of Medicinal Chemistry” in the realm of Tamil Siddha Medicine System”
Konganar has achieved the highest level among 18 Siddhas in Tamil Tradition and considered one among the 84 Siddhas of Nath Tradition.
He is the worshipper of Kaumari, a Sakthi of Tamil God Kumaran and a Saktha of Bala Tripura Sundari.
For unknown reasons, he left the place, a wandering soul, breathed his last in Tirumala.
He entered jeeva samathi at Tirupati. He used to take bath in Devi Pushkarni and sometimes found near Sri Bhu Varaha Swami Temple.
25.Fascinating Statistics:
No of pilgrims visited in a month: 2,096,992
No of Annaprasadam:4,908,152
No of Laddus:8,749,222
alongwith other services.
To Sum Up: Over 2 million people visit Tirumala every month, because Lord and Hill Tiruvengadam fulfilled their material and spiritual wishes and even wishes of Gods.
