Reputed
to be one of the oldest and most venerated holy shrines of the Hindus. Tirupati is  the abode of
Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji). The main temple is ensconced in the seven hills - Tirumala
(13 Km/8 mile) and the town at the foothill is known as Tirupati. Every day thousands of
pilgrims descend on Tirupati spilling out of buses, cars, taxis and trains. They are all
in their way up to the temple of the Lord Venkateswara. It is a pleasent drive from
Tirupati up to Tirumala and as the road winds its way up the forested slopes there are
splendid views of Tirupati and the plains. In earlier times people climbed to the temple
on foot, many do so even today making the trek a part of their pilgrimage.
LORD
VENKATESWARA TEMPLE : It is an ancient temple, that has witnessed the rise and
fall of powerful dynasties. The Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas  all patrons of the shrine
and they endowed it with jewels and wealth. Later in the 16th century the great
Vijayanagar kings enriched & embellished the temple and gave it a new lease of life.
The temple is perfect example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. Within the
three prakarams or enclosures of the temple complex is the main shrine with its
exquisitely worked and glided vimang above it. Within the sanctum is the majestic
"Swayambhu" or naturally formed image of the Lord Venkateswara. He is seen
standing on a lotus with his symbols, the shankh (conch) and the chakra (discus) in his
hands and on the chest are the image of the goddesses Lakshmi & Padmavati. The figure
is laden with jewels.
Today this shrine
probably attracts more devotees than any other temple in India and about 25000 people
coming from all over the country visit it daily, firm in the belief that any  wish
expressed before this image of the LORD VENKATESWARA will be granted. Devotees are
directed to well equipped sheds where they form orderly queues as they wait patiently for
a darshana or a glimpse of the deity. Worship at the temple starts in early hours of the
morning before dawn, with the "Suprabhatham" when Lord Venkateswara is
woken from his rest. This early morning ritual is an unforgettable experience - as the
myriad flickering oil lamps light up the sanctum and the majesty of the deity decked in
glittering ornaments is seen.
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