History of Tirupathi Temple
One of the holiest places in India, Tirupati, is known as Lord Vishnu’s sacred abode on earth during the Kali Yuga. This pious temple entails a rich history that goes back to the Puranas and the medieval ages. It is said that the temple was built in Dravidian architecture and embellished over several years, starting from 300 AD. Revered as a temple that guides devotees towards salvation, the Tirupati Balaji temple came into being through donations from several emperors and kingdoms.
However, the story of Tirupati Balaji goes even deeper in Hindu history. The very first mention of Tirupati dates back to 966 CE, when Samvai, a queen of the Pallava dynasty, donated precious jewels and lands to the temple. The money she generated from these parcels of land was used to celebrate all the major festivals in the temple.
Furthermore, the holy scripture of Varaha Purana mentions that during the Treta Yuga, Lord Rama and Lakshmana, along with Goddess Sita, rested on this land during their return from Lanka. The story also goes that during the historic marriage of Balaji and Padmavathi, Balaji sought a hefty loan of 11.4 million gold coins from Lord Kubera, which was granted. And thus, devotees from all over the country and the world have donated money to date to pay back this loan.
Today, the temple blesses lakhs of devotees who visit the holy temple with great devotion. It is believed that the temple houses a murti of Lord Venkateshwara, which shall bless all devotees throughout the entirety of Kali Yuga.
How to reach: The temple of Tirupati Balaji is located in the Tirupati city of Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The city is well-connected with all major Indian cities via railroad and bus transport systems.