Tirupati is a temple town in Chittoor District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located at the foot hills of Tirumala.
The town owes its existence to the sacred temple situated on the Tirumala Hills. Tirumala is the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, one of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu, located atop Seshachala hills often called as "Yaedu Kondalu" (seven hills). The temple of Lord Venkateshwara was built by Telugu Kings to represent Telugu culture. It is the richest and most visited temple (of any faith) in the world[1]. The town is also home to Sri Venkateswara University, one of the three major universities in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Although Tirupati has been a city for many years, the Andhra Pradesh state government had not recognized it officially until recently. Effective from March 2, 2007, the city is a municipal corporation not a municipality.
Etymology
The word Thirupati means the Lord of Lakshmi and the word Tirumalai means Mountain of highness in Tamil.Tirumalai is called as Tirumala in Telugu. Tirumagal means Lakshmi, Pathi means husband or king, and Malai means hill. Another version of etymology goes like this. The word Thiru Venkatachalapathy is formed of few sub-words Thiru Vel irrukkum eedum or Thiruvenkadam and thalapathy. In other words, the place of the lord holding the sacred vel. Within Vaishnava tradition the temple is considered as one of the 108 most sacred temples throughout India, collectively known as 'Tirupathis'. Since Tirumalai and Tirupathi have been passed from the Tamil-majority Madras State to the majority-Telugu Andhra State, Tirumalai is now officially known as Tirumala.
[edit] History
The Sangam literature of Tamil such as Silapadikaram and Satanar's Manimekalai, dated between 500 B.C to 300 A.D, mentions Tiruvengadam (now named Tirupati) as the northernmost frontier of the Tamil Kingdoms.
It is believed that it was "Aadi Varaha Kshetra" (the ancient site of Varaha) mentioned in Indian literature dating during the Mauryan and Gupta regimes. Lord Venkateswara is referred in Vedas, ancient Telugu Literature although the place happend to be in the border of present Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Many of the 100 million Telugu people normally, have their names Venkateswara and Venkateswara Rao. This proves that the Lord is known to Telugu people from Mahabharatha times and Tirupathi is considered as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha.
The site was an established center by the 5th century A.D, and the Alvars (Vaishnava saints) belonging to the Bhakti movement in Dravidian land sung in praise of Venketeswara. Its significance in Southern Vaishnava tradition was at the time next only to Srirangam. The temple was richly endowed by the kings of various dynasties thus adding to its current reputation as the richest and most opulent temple in the world. It was supported by Cholas, later by Hoysalas, the Vijayanagaras. Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara led the temple to great popularity by donating gold and other ornaments for the temple and constructing extended shrines. The place of Chandragiri, presently a village near Tirupati, was used as the secondary capital of Vijayanagara kings.
Tirupati survived the Muslim invasions of South India, unlike other temples such as the Meenakshi temple in Madurai and Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. It is believed that during the invasions the deity of Sriranganatha from Srirangam was brought to Tirupati for safekeeping. To commemorate this event, a hall in Tirupati is still known as the Ranganatha mandapa.
In 1843, with the coming of the East India Company, the administration of the Shri Venkateshwara temple and a number of shrines was entrusted to Seva Dossji of the Hathiramji Mutt at Tirumala as Vicaranakarta for nearly a century until 1933, when the temple was under the administrative charge of the mahants. The Madras legislature passed a special act in 1933 whereby the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) committee was invested with powers of administration and control through a commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras. A Ryot Advisory Council was formed for the management of the estates of the TTD, and was assisted by a Religious Advisory Council with regard to religious matters.
[edit] Geography
Tirupati is located in southern part of Andhra Pradesh.[2] It has an average elevation of 162 metres (531 feet).
The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.
[edit] Climate
In summer, temperatures may go up to 42 to 45 degrees Celsius (107.6 F to 113 F),and in winter the minimum temperatures will be between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius ( 50 F to 64.4 F). Usually summer lasts from March to June, with the advent of rainy season in July, followed by winter which lasts till the end of February.
[edit] Economy
Being a pilgrimage centre, the floating population appears to be the main source of economy but is not. Of late tirupati is becoming the education hub for the nearby areas because of the presence of educational institutions and universities offering almost all fields of studies at all levels. Trade and industry are burgeoning and business is flourishing. Revenues generated by travel sector is also high. The developmental activities, including infrastructure, are mainly taken care by the temple board, called "devasthanam".
[edit] Government
Tirupati was a municipal corporation, recently (in 2007) converted to corporation in Andhra Pradesh state. It contributes a member in Central Parliament and a member in state legislature in Indian politics.
[edit] Darshan booking
The TTD has changed the "Sudarshan Booking" counters from Tirumala to Tirupati.If you have not booked the tickets(Rs.50/-paid or Free)for Darshan from your City outside Tirupati, Now the Sudarshan Tickets can only be booked from Tirupati near Railway station, bus stand also at Srinivasa Complex.
Also There is e-darshan booking facility available at Hyderabad and well known towns of AP, Where we can make the way of darshan of Balaji easier. At Hyderabad the TTD office located at Himayatnagar. TTD maintains a very good website for the devotees for their online advanced booking for e-darshan and e-accommodation at [1]
TTD Call Center TTD has started the facility of 24/7 call center to reach the devoties at any time, 0877-2277777,2233333.
For bangaloreans, the TTD office for e-darshan booking facility is @ Malleshwaram (just crossing Majestic) Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, 16th cross, Vyalikaval Extn, Gd pa, Vyalikaval. Ph: 080-2344 5432 / 2331 5361 Fax: 080-2888 8888
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[3] Tirupati had a population of 227,657. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Tirupati has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 69%. In Tirupati, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. The local language is Telugu, however Tamil is widely spoken and understood in Tirupathi because of a significant Tamil population and its proximity to Tamil Nadu.
[edit] Culture
The people of Tirupati speak mostly Telugu and Tamil though Hindi, Kannada and English are understood. The residents and visitors can be seen in both traditional attire like pancha, Lungi and chira and modern attire. Practices of Tonsure and using Tilaka are commonly seen. Songs and prayers of Lord Venkateswara like Annamacharya kirtanas can be heard all over the town.
[edit] Festivals
The town celebrates most Vaishnava festivals including Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami and janmashtami with great splendor, while the Brahmotsavam celebrated every year during September is the most important festivals in Tirumala, when it receives millions of devotees over a short span of a week. Rathasapthami (Magha Shuddha Saptami) is another festival, celebrated during February, when Lord Venkateswara idol will be taken procession around the temple chariots.[4]
Another local festival Gangamma Jathara is also celebrated as a major festival. The Goddess Gangamma is offered animal sacrifices and also pongal and other offerings by the devotees. She is considered as the sister of The Lord Almighty, Govinda.
[edit] Religious Attractions
There are many temples in Tirupati and Tirumala. Some of them are:
- Alamelu - Alamelu Mangamma Shrine in Alamelumangapuram also called Thiruchanoor.
- Padmavati Temple
- Govindaraja Swamy Temple
- Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple: The Temple is so beautiful in architecture. Lord Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana were present in a beautiful form in the temple. Lord AnjaneyaSwamy was seen near the foot of Lord Rama. The Temple is in the heart of the city. There is also another temple dedicated to Lord Anjaneya Swamy opposite to KodhandaRamaSwamy Temple. Prasadams were offered daily to pilgrims.
- Srinivasa Mangapuram
- Kapila Theertham (Lord siva shrine, the only Shaiva Shrine in Tirupati): This Temple is Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. There is a beautiful waterfall near the Temple.
- ISKCON Lord Krishna Temple - The Temple is recently renewed and has its own style of architecture. The tower is coloured in Gold and White. The inside decorations are extremely attractive. The carvings of Lord NarasimhaSwamy, Lord VarahaSwamy and Krishna Leela were marvellous. Glass painting works on the windows depicting Lord Krishna's playful act and the ceilings decorated like Tanjore Art reveals the colourful masterpiece in art work. Each pillar is decorated with Ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu. The temple inside sanctom has Lord Krishna with Gopis beautifully dressed. Prabhupada's deity is also kept in the Temple. There is a beautiful park surrounded with lot of flowers, ponds, fountains and with Krishna Leela idols. "GOSALA" is also maintained. The Temple is on the way to Tirumala Hills.
- On the way to Tirumala, World
- Hanuman Temple at Tirumala is where Hanuman's mother Anjana did penance.
- Other small waterfalls and sight seeing is present.
- Museum at Tirumala is one of the tourist attractions.
- Avanakshamma Temple-42 km from Tirupathi,
- Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple, Karvetinagaram, 40 km from Tirupathi
- Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple-Narayanavanam, 48 km from Tirupathi
- Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple-Appalayagunta, 20 km from Tirupathi
There is also another small temple for Lord Vishnu. The place is on the foothills of Tirumala. Giant Nandhekeshwar Statue is seen at the entrance of the Temple.
[edit] Hospitals
SVRR government general hospital(known as Ruiya hospital) with attached SV medical college is one of the known hospitals besides SVIMS, a Super Specialities Center with modern facilities and S.V.Ayurveda college hospital run by TTD to providing health services to the poor and needy patients even at free of cost[citation needed], BIRRDS an orthopedic center catering for physically handicapped where surgeries are done free of cost treating polio, cerebral palsy and many other congenital anamolies. Numerous small- to mid-sized hospitals exist in private sector. SVRR government hospital has minimal infrastructure and lacks an institution policy.
[edit] Education
Tirupati is not only a piligrimage center but an educational hub. It is home to Several universities, including Sri Venkateswara University and Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam ( one among two women universities in India), Sanskrit Vidhyapeeth,S.V.Ayurvedic medical College, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (New) etc. Apart from these universities, it has state government sponsored medical, agricultural colleges and also an engineering college. Around 5 Engineering Colleges exist in and around Tirupathi. It has nearly 50 UG & PG (MBA, MCA) Degree colleges.
Also present is a state-of-art Dental college and Research Center, providing free dental health care to the people of tirupati and surrounding villages.. This institute also provides PG programm in 6 different dental brances.
[edit] Media
The main Telugu newspapers like the Eenadu, Vaartha, and Andhra Jyothi are major sources of daily news. Tamil newspapers like Daily thanthi, Dinakaran, Dinamalar, English newspapers The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Express are also available in Tirupathi and Tirumala. State-wide Telugu cable TV channels include ETV, Maa TV, Gemini TV, Teja TV, and the local city cable.
Sports
Cricket is the most watched and played sport in Tirupati.[citation needed] Tennis, volleyball, and badminton are played in colleges.
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