Hindu Temples in Tirupati

Tirupati (Telugu: తిరుపతి) is a city in Chittoor district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Tirupati (urban) mandal, and of the Tirupati revenue division.

Tirupati is home for famous Vaishnavite shrine Venkateswara Temple and many other ancient temples.

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is one of the world's richest and famous Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara.[1] The temple is situated at an elevation of 853 metres on Tirumala Hills of Seshachalam Hill ranges. It is believed to be as old as 300 BC.

Padmavathi Temple

Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tiruchanur is the temple dedicated to Goddess Alamelu (Padmavathi) or Alamelumanga, the wife of Lord Venkateswara. Tiruchanur, a suburb of Tirupati is at a distance of 5 km. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Surya Narayana in front of Pushkarini.

Govindaraja Temple

Govindaraja Temple is the temple dedicated to Sri Govindaraja Swamy who is believed to be brother of Lord Venkateswara. The temple was consecrated in the year 1130 AD by Vaishnavite, Saint Ramanujacharya. Before Sri Govindaraja Swamy, Sri Parthasarathy Swamy was the presiding deity of the temple. The temple was situated at the heart of the city. It has tall seven storied outer Gopuram with 11 kalasas and dated back to 14-15th century. This temple is one of the huge temples in Chittoor district.[2]

Kapileswara Temple

Main article: Kapila Theertham

Kapila Theertham is the holy water falls in Tirupati named after Kapila Muni. It hosts Kapileswara Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the deity is referred to as Kapileswara. The water falls directly fall from the hill rocks into the pond opposite to the temple. The temple and the falls are considered highly devotional. The greatness of the temple deity was found in the Kulothunga Chola Inscriptions of 10th Century. The temple is under the administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Thathayyagunta Gangamma Temple

Thathayyagunta Gangamma Temple is the temple dedicated to Goddess Gangamma, Gramadevata of Tirupati. The temple is one of the ancient and is at the heart of the ciy. Tirupati Ganga Jatara celebrated every year in the month of may is the most auspiciuos occasion celebrated in this temple. The temple activities are looked after by Thathayya Gunta Gangamma Devastanam.[3]

Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Srinivasamangapuram

Srinivasa Mangapuram is situated 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Tirupati.This temple houses Lord Venkateswara, also known as Prasanna Venkateswara or Kalyana Venkateswara. Bus connections are available from Tirupati.

Kodandarama Temple

Sri Kodandarama Swami Temple is also situated in the main Tirupati city. The 10th century temple is dedicated to Lord Rama an incarnation of Vishnu along with Sita and Lakshmana. Bramhotsavam in this temple will takes place in the month of Falgun (March–April).

Other famous temples in Tirupati include Alipiri Padala mandapam, ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple, Mukkoti.

Parasurameswara Temple, Gudimallam

Main article: Gudimallam

Sri Parasurameswara Temple is one of the most ancient temples in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at Gudimallam Village and is 15 Km from Tirupati. The main importance of the temple lies in the Linga which is housed in the Garbhagriha of the temple and considered unique for its naturalistic depection.[4] This is supposed to be the earliest Linga discovered so far and it has been assigned to the 3rd century BCE. [4] The name of the temple is mentioned as Parasurameswara Temple in the inscriptions. These inscriptions do not refer to the original builders of the temple. But they register the gifts made to the temple like land, money and cows for the conduct of daily worship in the temple. The Black and Redware sherds of the 2nd or 3rd century AD have been brought to light during the course of excavations conducted in 1973. Potsherds of the Andhra Satavahana period (Circa 1st century AD to 2nd century AD) and large sized bricks measuring 42+21+6 cms. of the same period have also been found. Hence some historians assign the temple to the Satavahana period.

Nearby Temples

Srikalahasti Temple

Srikalahasti Temple is an 5th Century temple of Lord Shiva, as Kalahastiswara, situated on the banks of the River Swarnamukhi. It is 36 kilometres (22 mi) from Tirupati, and is connected by frequent buses. The renowned devotee of Lord Shiva, Kannappa, attained salvation there. It is famous for its Vayu linga, one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. The temple is also associated with Rahu and Kethu (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme).

Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakam

Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple or Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple is a 10th century temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is located at Kanipakam town and is at a distance of 75 km from Tirupati.[5] As per legend the presiding deity is believed to be Swayambhu(Self-manifested) and upholder of truth.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Record collection of Rs 5.73 crore at Tirumala". Times of India (Tirumala). 2 April 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple". Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  3. ↑ "‘Ganga Jatara’ off to a colourful start". Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  4. 1 2 Doniger, Wendy (2009-10). The Hindus: An Alternataive History. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 22,23. ISBN 9780199593347. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ↑ http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/28/stories/2008042857370300.htm
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