Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh (South India)

Tirupati Balaji Temple is dedicated to Lordconsidered as destroyer and Lord Vishnu as the
Venkateshwara and is located in Andhra Pradesh, onepreserver of the world. The temple is believed to have
of the states of South India. It is one of the richestbeen constructed in the 10th century.
pilgrimage place in the world and is located at aIt is believed that Tirupati Temple has self manifested
distance of 67 km from Chittoor city in Chittoor district.idol of Lord Vishnu. Three statues of Krishnadevaraya,
The ancient temple of Lord Venkateshwara is locatedhis spouse, Vijayanagara King and idol of Todarmal,
on the seventh peak called Venkata Hill, inone of the ministers of Emperor Akbar, are the main
Tirupati-Tirumala. Devotees from various parts of Indiaattractions of the temple.
and abroad flock Tirupati temple to pay obeisance.Tonsuring of Heads
Main deity of the temple is known by a number ofThere is a unique ritual of tonsuring of ones head in the
names like Balaji, Venkateshwara, Perumal, Srinivasatemple premises and on a daily basis more than a ton
and Venkatachalpathy. According to legends, it ishair are collected from the temple. The collected hair
believed that Goddess Lakshmi, who is also known byare publicly auctioned to international buyers from time
the name of Sri, resides on the chest of Lordto time for cosmetic use and hair extensions. This
Venkateshwara and this is the reason that the deity offetches the temple a revenue of more than 6 million
the temple is also known by the name of Srinivasa.rupees every year.
The best season to visit Tirupati temple is fromBrahmotsavam Festival
September to February.Brahmotsavam Festival is the annual festival of
Architecture of the TempleTirupati Temple, which is celebrated in the month of
The temple has been built on Tirumala hill at an altitudeSeptember. The festival continues for a period of nine
of 2,800 feet above sea level. It has been made in thedays and devotees from various parts of the country
Dravidian style and there are a total of threeflock Tirupati in large numbers to pay their obeisance.
enclosures in the temple called as 'Prakarams'. TheDuring this annual festival, Tirupati Temple becomes
image of the deity of Tirupati Temple, Lordone of the most visited temples of the world. It is
Venkateshwara, represents Lord Shiva and Lordvisited by more than 50, 000 pilgrims on daily basis.
Vishnu and as per the Hindu religion, Lord Shiva is