Tirumala Balaji Temple

Tirupati is a scared place situated under the feet of Balaji Temple. And this is place I started to live from my age 6 till I got married. I want to write about the Temple and God.
Daily over 50,0000 pilgrims come for Darshan of Lord Balaji at Tirumala. It is in Chittoor district in A.P It is the second richest Temple in the world. Tirumala city celebrates all major Hindu festivals including Sankranti, Ugadi etc., with great devotion. The Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavams are celebrated every year during October is the most important festival in Tirumala when it receives millions of devotees over a short span of a week. Vaikunta Ekadasi, the day on which it is believed that the Vaikunta Dwarams will be opened and it is the most important Vasihnavite festival, is celebrated in Tirumala.[8] Rathasapthami is another festival, celebrated during February, when Lord Venkateswara processional deity, (Malayappa) is taken in a procession around the temple on seven different vahanas (Vehichles) from early morning to late night.[9] Tirupati is known for its world famous Tirupati Laddu. It is the prasadam given at Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. Tirupati Laddu had got Geographical indication tag which entitles only Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to make or sell it
Sri. Venkateswara Temple is an abode of Lord Venkateswara situated at Tirumala. It is also known as Tirumala Temple. The Natural Arch is located at north of the temple, which measures 8 m (26 ft) wide and 3 m (9.8 ft) high and was naturally formed from the quartz is a important scenic place to visit. You can also visit Srivaari Paadalu (the footprints of Lord) are believed to be the footprints of Lord Venkateswara formed when he first stood on Tirumala Hills.Papavinasanam is a waterfall flowing from a tributary of the Swarnamukhi River. It also has a temple where seven lion-headed channels open from a height for deities to bathe below them. A temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located near the enclosure. Akaasa Ganga is another natural waterfall in Tirumala . You can visit Japali therthamam ( Hanuman temple).You can go in a bus that the TTD runs or take a taxi and look around the places.
There are two paths to travel by foot from Tirupati to Tirumala. These paths are called Sopanamargas. The Devotees go by walk to fulfil their Vow to Lord Venkateswara and reach Tirumala on foot from Tirupati. Both the paths are completely roofed and passes through seven hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills
• Alipiri Metlu is the first and Ancient path that starts from Alipiri and consists of a total 3550 Steps which makes a distance of 11 km. At Alipiri there is a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara called Padalamandapam. There are Four Gopurams (Temple Towers) on the way.[18]

• .Srivari Mettu this also originates at Srinivasa Mangapuram, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Tirupati. It is 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) long.This trail has 2400 steps and is shorter than Alipiri Metlu path.
Tirumala can be accessed by road from Alipiri. The distance is 23 kilometres (14 mi) by Vehicle or BusThe nearest railway station is at Tirupati, about 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Tirumala. .And also you can come to Tirupati Airport by flight and take a taxi to Tirumala.
Who is Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) ?
Lord Venkateswara is one of the several thousand names of Lord Maha Vishnu. In Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama He (Lord Srinivaasa) is the one in whom everything rests; entire universe itself is indweller with in Him; the One who lives on the 7 hills mountain (Venkataadri); He (Srinivaasa) is the Lord and consort of Goddess Lakshmi who always rests in His Hrudaya;
At the end of Dwaapara Yuga the emiinent Rushis’ were performing (Yajna) sacred rituals; Naarada muni comes there and asks them to whom they are offering its (Yajna-phala) and On the advice of the muni, all the sages requests and appoints Brugu Maharshi to go round the Universe to find out the fittest God .Sage Brugu visits Brahma Loka and Kailasa and finds that they are not competent for receiving the Yajna-phala since they have Rajo and Tamo Guna (qualities).
Finally, the sage visits Vaikuntam the abode of Lord Sri. Maha Vishnu who was with his consort Goddess Lakshmi and who did not notice the Sage’s visit. In the fit of anger, sage Brugu kicks Lord Vishnu on His chest with his leg. Because saattvik in nature, Lord Vishnu did not get angry or offended with this incident; instead pleaded guilty for not having noticed the Sage’s visit. Sage Brugu declares Him (Lord Vishnu) as the Supreme most God and the fittest person to receive the fruits of the (Yagna phala) sacred rituals.
In the mean while , Goddess Lakshmi whose abode is Lord Vishnu’s (Hrudaya) chest deemed to have also received the punch. She becomes very upset and furious with Lord Vishnu leaves Vaikunta and reaches Kariveerapuram (present Kolhapur) and starts doing penance. And Lord was unable to bear the detachment wnith Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu begins vigorous search for her and in this process comes down to (Bhooloka) the Earth. And reaches Tirumala Hills and start living there in the name of Srinivaasa under the nursing and care of Vakula Devi. During one of his leelas He (Lord Srinivaasa) happened to see the Princess of that place Padmavathi Devi and falls in love with her and gets married with the help of Kubera (God of wealth) to give him loan foor marriage and Varahaswamy (who gives him the Tirumala land ) to stay. That is why it is a tradition to first to take shower in Varaha Pushkarani and then visit and pray to Lord Varahaswamy, and then visit Lord Venkateswara temple..
Hope you will also visit TIRUMALA and get the blessings of the Lord.