Inside Temple

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

The Main gateway is known as ‘Padikavali’ or “Mukha Dwaram” or “Simha Dwaram”. In Tamil they address this gateway as Periya Thiruvasali i.e., the big gate.

During day time one can see the dazzling seven kalasas (the gild ornament on the pinnacle of the tower). The tower stands 50 feet above the ground level.

There is a Prakara (High raised stone wall) uniting the gateway. It is known as “Maha Prakara”. This 30 feet high stone wall has width of 4 feet.      

The devotees who come for Swamy Darshanam before entering into main gateway have to pass through vaikuntam ‘Q’ complex.

While entering through main gateway people loudly chant the holy name of Lord Venkateswara as

“Edukondalawada, Venkata Ramana - Govinda! Govinda!! Govinda!!!”

While passing through the main gateway, you will find Two Panchaloha (Alloy of Five metals) idols of 2 feet high.

They are the two celestial security guards of Lord Venkateswara.

The guard Standing on the Southern side i.e., to your right has two large sized shells in his two hands. He is Sankhu Nidhi.

Similarly to your left i.e., on the northern direction there stands the second guard. He holds two lotus flowers in his two hands. He is named as Padma (Lotus) Nidhi. These two celestial security guards are there to protect lord Venkateswara’s Treasury full of nine gems.

Near the feet of these celestial guards you will see six inches long idol of king standing with folded hands. He is the Vijayanagara king by name Achyuta Deva Raya.

As per Agamashastra (the Temple Architecture) the statues of such security guards are installed on the two sides.

This installation at the main entry gate of the temple proves the fact that the First enclosure (Avarana) indicates Mukkoti Pradakshana , the second enclosure as Vimana Pradakshnam and the third as the Sampangi Pradakshanam.

Abutting the main gateway i.e., inside you can see life size copper idols.

The male statue is that the famous Vijayanagaram emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya. He is standing in the midst of his two consorts Tirumala Devi and China Devi.

As per the available records he visited temple for seven times.

When he visited the temple on 02.01.1517 with his two consorts, it is believed that he himself carried out the installation of copper statues.

To the North West corner of Tirumala Raya mandapam in the midst of 4 pillared portico you will find three life size copper statues with folded hands.

One statue bears the name of Lal Khem Ram next to him we will find his mother Mata Mohan Devi’s statue. On the other side his wife Pita Bibis statue is there. The turbaned person is known as Todarmal.

In 17^th century when Muslims and English people invaded Tirumala he bravely fought against them and successfully protected Tirumala Temple.

The balance is seen near the Tirumalaraya mandapam. In Sanskrit the balance is called “Tula”. In olden days the kings used to perform “Tulapurushasanam”.

The devotees pay money as they wishes to offer when their diseased are cured, and are blessed with children. The Money equivalent to their weight or to their children’s weight is weighed and submitted to swami. If needed, T.T.D will provide the coins.

The main purpose of temple entry is to maintain equanimity of mind. “Equanimity of mind is the sun and substance of all Vedas”.

Abuting Dhwajasthambam on the eastern side an altar known as Balipeetam, can be seen.

Let us now try to know about the importance of this Balipeetam, the altar. The food is first offered to the Lord and other deities in the premises of the temple.

After this, the food is placed on 8 different places also known as Balipeetam in eight different directions along with Vimana circumambulation path. Finally the Archakas (Priests) bring the food and place it on the Balipeetam right in front of Dhwajasthambam.

This is Vedic ritual. The food offered while chanting veda mantras, is meant for the different celestial beings who rule the four directions and four corners.

The door that appears with covering of silver is called ‘Vendivakili’.

At the door there are images of Mahant Babaji and Sri Venkateswara swami playing the game of dice.

On the doors are the figures of Dasavatara the, ten incarnations of the Lord. The silver door indicates that the devotees must enter the temple with a perfect purity of heart.

Soon after crossing the silver door and entering the temple, Ranganatha swami appears lying on Adisesha. Above and below Ranganatha swami appears the idols of Sri Varada Rajaswami and Sri venkateswara swami Respectively.

Every day, early in the Morning the devotees circumambulate the temple( Angapradakshina) from this Sri Ranganatha Swami’s Place. Even after Darshan they prostrate before Swami in this place.

Sri Varada Rajaswami temple is on the south-east corner of Vimana Pradakshina Marg. The idol of Varda Raja Swami of about 4 feet height was installed here.

Every day three times Nivedanas are held for swami. Every year on the birth day (Jayanti) of Varada Raja, Abhishekam, Archana are conducted on grand scale.

Adjacent to sanctum Santorum’s prakara on southern side there is dwaram i.e., door. Through this door we have to enter in to Mukkoti pradakshana Margam i.e., path. We have to come out through the path that is next to Hundi

This path is situated in between sanctum Santorum’s prakara and inner prakara of vimana pradakshana path. Only on Vykuntta Ekadasi day this door will be opened. To be more precise, this door will be kept opened from the mid night of Dasami to Dwadasi.

On the other days they keep this door closed. This circumambulation path is very close to the Chief Idol of Lord Venkateswara.

Towards north east corner of Yoga Narasimha Swamy temple, at center you can see a pillar. At the behest of Lord Venkateswara, Thondaman Chakravarthy (emperor), it is said, had laid foundation at this particular spot for construction of Ananda Nilaya’s tower and Prakaras (rampant).  This may not be true.

Perhaps it may be a pillar erected for the foundation laying ceremony of Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple. On the four sides of this pillar you can find carved figure of Anjaneya.

It is firmly believed that whoever circumambulates this pillar with sincere devotion may succeed in having a house of their own.

There is a well by the side of Lord’s chief Kitchen. This well is known as Bangaru Bavvi.

When devotees come out through Golden door after having the darshan, there is a path leading to the chief kitchen opposite to the golden door. Adjacent to the steps leading to the kitchen you will find a well.

This well has circular ring of stones from ground level. This stone construction has gold plating. Because of this gold platting people call it as Bangaru Bavvi. It has two other names: ‘Sri Theertam’ and ‘ sundara swamy bavvi’.

To the north of currency counting center, in the North West corner there is a room with a grilled door. This is known as ‘Chandanapu Ara’ i.e., ‘Sandal wood Room’.

Sandal wood paste that is required for the daily use of the temple is prepared in this room. Here you will see big white stones placed on a raised platform. On these white stone, sandalwood paste is prepared.

On Vimana Pradakshana path, in North-East direction there is west facing Yoga Narasimha swamy temple.

Though daily pooja is not offered to this Yoga Narasimha, Naivedyams are offered daily. Every Saturday Abhishekam is performed to yoga Narasimha. This will be followed by pooja and Naivedyam.