1.I had a long pending of wish of eating / purchasing / distributing as many tirupati laddu prasadam as possible. This has come true in my last trip on 11/01/2011. Thanks to corporates. India Cements donated the plant including conveyors which is at North West corner of the temple. After darshan, you are entitled for 2 laddus at a price of Rs.10 each. Now,if you need more, you can purchase Extra laddus at a price of Rs.25 each.
2.Another corporate Reliance Industries is entertaining you with their big screens at various places surrounding the temple.
3.Pushkarni has a new found look as such river alaknanda descended.
Visiting Tirupati is getting better and better.
CHARACTER OF WORSHIP
1.From the historian's point of view no date can be assigned for the first appearance of the Dhruva Murti of Tiruvengadamudaiyan.
2.The image takes its name from the hill Venkatadri which by itself was always considered as sacred as the God thereon and therefore formed an object of worship.
The place itself was sacred and object of pilgrimage.
3.Mukkoti Pradakshanam: Many who could not find it possible to ascend the thickly wooded hill worshipped the hill and its God at its foot alone and discharged their vows. (Vaishnavarkalil perumakkal ---
Thirumalayil thiruvadivarathile thiruva ---
Kadamai seluththuvathanom)
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1.WHO BUILT THE THIRUMALA TEMPLE
The Chronology of Tiruvengadam Temple Building:
1.The idol is stated to have buried inside an ant hill. It was discovered by some cowherds and reported it to the King Tondaiman in the first century BC or AD. King Thondaiman built a temple to house the idol. Whether the temple was of cut stone, brick in mud or wood, we are not told.
2.Account of the Temple found in Tamil classic Silappadhikaram states that the idol on the hill represented Vishnu (Sengan Nediyon). Silapadhikaram is probably written in 2nd / 3rd AD. The description states that the Sun and the Moon illumined the deity shows that there is no covering at the top or that the covering was of a pavilion type.
3.Alvars who flourished in the 8th and 9th centuries, who sang the glories of the lord referred only the sanctity of the Hill, not the temple.
4.The present temple would have built later during the Pallava regime and the temple is not built at one and the same time.
5.Garbhagraham and ante chamber was built at the end of 9th century or early 10th century.
6.Some reconsecration of the deity done by Sri Ramanujan ir 1130. At that point in time there was no Gopuram.
7.Between 1330 till 1370, Sri Ranganathar idol of Sri Rangam was kept here as there was no safe place other than the Hill they found after the attack of Malik Kafur on Sri Rangam.Till this time there is no account of Telugu or Kannada or other pilgrims to this temple. Attack on Sri Rangam, Kanchi and Madurai brought Telugu Speaking Pallavas, Kannada Speaking Chalukyas and Hoyslas together on the hills to see Sri Ranganathar and to liberate Tamil Country.
8.The extension of the temple structures even extends upto the 15th and 16th centuries. Endowmenting the villages started from Saluva Narasimha of Vijayanagara Empire in 1480 followed by the famous emperor Krishna Devearya and Achuta Raya.
9.Pushkarni steps are constructed by Tirumala Iyengar in 16th Century.After the defeat in Talikota in 1565, the Aravidu dyansty of Vijayanagara Empire lasted another 95 years and they patronsied the temple till 1660.
All the above 9 points are based on the research publications.
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2.WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIRUMALA TEMPLE
Disclaimer: The points given below may contain statements which are “mere believes” of masses for over 2000 years.Govinda! Govinda!!! - Anyone who visited Tirupati Tirumala agree that pilgrims visit here with a material sankalpa to be manifested. They have to wait, sitting in halls and standing in ques, before darshan. Many of the pilgrims experience their mind goes into blank (forget about their sankalpa) during darshan in front of the deity. But later they realise their wishes are fulfilled much more than they imagined, which bring them back to the temple with a higher sankalpa.
Why their Mind goes blank? The reasons are mere believes that i) the idol of Vengadam itself came from some other planet ii) consecration of the idol of Vengadam iii) the energy fields (devathais from other planets) inside the Garbha Griham. iv) Not only the deity, the entire Hill came from other planet
1. Lord Venkatadri from Vaigundam: The idol of Deity exist 1st Century BC or earlier. The idol is stated to have buried inside an ant hill. It was discovered by some cowherds and reported it to the King Tondaiman, a Tamil King in the first century BC or AD. He built a temple to house the idol. Whether the temple was of cut stone, brick in mud or wood, we are not told.
#It is a belief that the idol itself came from some other planet (or Suyambu?). It is difficult to make such a smooth surface on a black rock (Saligram?) by a shilpi. The idol exhibits high temperature.
2. Consecration according to Agamas: A temple is a place where an intense Cosmic energy is available for everyone to experience. Significantly, all the major towering temples of Tamil country built over the centuries have been consecrated according to agama rules.
#Kindly note that Agamas are pre vedic. Garbhagraham and ante chamber was built at the end of 9th century or early 10th century. Some reconsecration of the deity done by Sri Ramanujan ir 1130. At that point in time there was no Gopuram. Between 1330 till 1370, Sri Ranganathar idol of Sri Rangam was kept in Ranga Mandapam.
3. Energy Fields of Yakshargal, Gandharvargal, Apsarasgal, Asurargal, Rakshasargal: The temple has grown around the intense energy fields established by an enlightened master for the benefit of humankind. As rich man leaves behind his wealth for the next generation after he leaves the body, enlightened masters they leave behind the huge energy that they bring with them in the form of temples.
#It is a belief that the energy fields of Tirupati is by Konkanava Siddhar. Every day these devathais visit Tirupati. These devathais are not one - they name it as Yakshargal, Gandharvargal, Apsarasgal, Asurargal, Rakshasargal based on energy vibrations.
#The powerful spiritual vibrations present in Tirupatiis so palpable that even the most casual visitor can feels its effects in the form of peace, bliss.
4. Gravity works differently in Seven Hills: Not only the deity, the range of seven hills including Venkatadri (where the Lord resides), in Eastern Ghatts is considered sacred and believed to have come from other planets. Some sedimentary rocks, Some plants, animals like lizards, monkeys are not found anywhere else.
Law of Giving: Very Very important thing is that this temple and the God was well patronised by the Kings- Chola, Pandya, Pallava and Vijayanagara Empires of Saluva Narasimha, Krishna Devaraya and Achuta Raya. Endowment of Villages and valuable gifts are provided liberally by these noble kings. They have taken care of pilgrims who negotiated the stretch in the hills.
When maintained properly using the subtle powers of mantras, rituals and meditation, Tirupati holds and radiate this precious energy for over two thousand years. This energy fulfilled the wishes of devotees of Gods (like Sri Rangathar, Madurai Meenakshi and Kanchi Kamakshi)
3.WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIRUMALA TEMPLE IN POLITICAL HISTORY OF SOUTHERN INDIA
Tirupati Vengadam Temple is so special in a bigger scheme of things in Political History of Southern India which I will detail here.
Political Importance:
The temple / idol is in existence since 1st century BC.
Journey through Seven Hills:
Earlier Tirumala Tirupati was inaccessible in the past due to its location in the Eastern Ghatts. Early kings of Chola, Pallava, Pandya were liberal in providing grants and free comforts to pilgrims as they have to negotiate hardship in travelling.
Sri Ranganathar’s Wish:
Sri Rangam was very famous in those days. When Malik Kafur invaded Sri Rangam in 1323. The temple was defended and according to the Tamil tradition some 13,000 Sri Vaishnavas devotees of Srirangam, died in the fierce battle.
Everyone looked for Safety:
They found Sri Rangam or Kanchi or Madurai were no longer safe. The idol of Sriranganathar was taken through villages of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. They finally went to the hills of Tirumala Tirupati, where they remained in Ranga Mandapam, at the South East Corner of the temple until the temple was rebuilt in 1371.
Sri Ranganathar and Ranganayaki images were brought back to Srirangam by Swami Vedanta Desika.The idol was consecrated again and the site became a Hindu temple again in 1371 CE under Kumara Kampana, a Vijayanagara commander and the son of Bukka Raya of Sangama Dynasty.
The world's largest functioning Hindu temple : Sri Rangam
It took, under Vijayanagara Empire, Madurai Naickers and Thanjavoor Naickers over 200 years of stability, repairs, first round of fortifications, and addition of mandapas.
Today, the temple occupies an area of 155 acres with 50 shrines, 21 towers, 39 pavilions and many water tanks integrated into the complex making it the world's largest functioning Hindu temple.
Power of Vengadam:
This is the power of Thiruvengadam Hills that it fulfilled the wishes of devotees of Gods and redeveloped their temples (of Sri Ranganathar, Meenakshi, Sudareswar) within 48 years.
Just think over, if this was made possible, your tiny wish of a shelter or startup venture will be fulfilled by the God within no time.
Political Importance & Formation of Hindu Kingdom:
Because of Ranganathar idol kept in Tirumala Tirupati for 48 years (It is called Ranga Mandapam -now, without Ranganathar, at South West Corner of the Temple), this tiny temple of Tamil country, become political importance. Till then the pilgrims were from Tamil country. Now Tamils could meet Telugu and Kannada speaking Pallavas, Chalukyas and Hoysalas because of Ranganathar.
Hoysalas try to liberate Maduarai but their king Ballala was killed in a battle.
Vijayanagara Empire ousted the Madurai Sultanate in 1371 and liberated Madurai, Kanchi and Sri Rangam. Vijayanagara Emperors used to frequent Tirupati in those 48 years of Sri Rangnathar’s stay in Tirupati.
According to one poetic legen, Ganga Devi, the wife of Kumara Kampanna gave him a sword, urged him to liberate Madurai, right the vast wrongs, and reopen the Meenakshi temple out of its ruins. The Vijayanagara rulers succeeded, removed the ruins and reopened the temple for active worship.
Later Krishna Devaraya and his successors patronised this temple with lot of Jewels, Gifts and Grants.
It is no wonder, Venkatadri have been attracting the great Kings (from Chola, Pandya, Pallava dynasty and Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravaitta dynasties of Vijayanagara Empire) and millions of his devotees like you and me.
Like an inexhaustible battery, Tirupati Venkadam temple continue to discharge spiritual energy to seekers, proving an unbroken connection between him and his people.
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4.HOW FAR IS THE ARGUMENT TRUE THAT THIRUMALA WAS AN ANCIENT MURUGAN TEMPLE ? IT IS ALLEGED THAT DURING THE PERIOD OF KRISHNADEVARAYA A BIG NAMA WS APPLIED TO COVER MURUGAN'S FACE AND CONVERTED IT AS THE TEMPLE OF VENKATESWARA?
1.The argument that Thirumala was an ancient Murugan temple is totally false and baseless. Murugan Temples in Tamil country is normally added to the existing temples for historic reasons and not the otherway round.
2.It is alleged that during the period of Krishnadevaraya a big nama was applied to cover Murugan's face and converted it as the temple of Venkateswara?
#Krishnadevaraya, ruled Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 - 1529. But the idol / Temple is in existance since 1 st century BC by a Tamil King Thondaiman.
#Account of the idol / temple found in Tamil classic Silappadhikaram states that the idol on the hill represented Vishnu (Sengan Nediyon). Silappadhikaram is probably written in 2nd / 3rd AD. (Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509–1529)
#Alvars who flourished in the 8th and 9th centuries, who sang the glories of the lord referred the sanctity of the hill. Thirumangai Alwar, visited the temple.(Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509–1529)
#The present temple would have rebuilt later during the Pallava regime and the temple is not built at one and the same time. Garbhagraham and ante chamber was built at the end of 9th century or early 10th century. (Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509–1529)
#Some reconsecration of the deity done by Sri Ramanujan ir 1130. At that point in time there was no Gopuram.(Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509–1529)
#Between 1330 till 1370, Sri Ranganathar idol of Sri Rangam was kept here following the attack of Malik Kafur on Sri Rangam. He attacked, Madurai and Kanchi as well. But only Sri Ranganathar is brought here. Don’t believe. Next time when you visit Thirumala, do visit Ranga Mandapam (empty) at the South East Corner of the temple. (Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509–1529)
#Till 1330, there is no account of Telugu or Kannada or other pilgrims to this temple. This temple is patronised by Tamil kings of Chola, Pallava and Pandya.
#Attack on Sri Rangam, Kanchi and Madurai brought Telugu Speaking Pallavas, Kannada Speaking Chalukyas and Hoyslas together on the hills to see Sri Ranganathar and to liberate Tamil Country.(Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509–1529)
#Vijayanagara Kings liberated Tamil Country and they loved this temple. The extension of the temple structures even extends upto the 15th and 16th centuries. Endowmenting the villages started from Saluva Narasimha of Vijayanagara Empire in 1480 followed by the famous emperor Krishna Devearya and Achuta Raya. Kindly note Krishnadevaraya comes into picture after 15 centuries existance of the temple.
#After the Vijayanagara Empires defeat in Talikota in 1565, the Aravidu dyansty of Vijayanagara Empire lasted another 95 years and they patronsied the temple till 1660. After that the temple became the Golden Goose for Sultans, Saivites and British.
All the above points are based on the research publications.
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5.IS THE IDOL OF THE DEITY IN THE TIRUPATI TEMPLE ACTUALLY THE IDOL OF A JAIN GOD?
1.Coming to Tirupati, before the middle of the century, it was a part of Tamil Mandalam, ruled by Tamil Kingdoms, mainly early Cholas and then by Vijayanagara Kingdom. The architect is a Dravidian architect and the inscriptions are in Tamil alphabets. It is relatively a small temple in comparison with other famous temples in earlier time, say Sri Rangam.
2.There is a book titled “History of Tirupati” in 3 bigger volumes at the Devasthanam ofcourse.
3.We do have epics written by Budhdhist and Jain Scholars. In fact, one of the famous epic in Tamil is “Silappadhikaram - story of an ankle” written by a Budhdhist writer Ilango Adigal.
4.We still preserve Jain beds in Madurai, Jain schools in Kazhugumalai and many Monuments which are believed to be constructed during 3rd to 7th century AD.
.5.Here the religion does not count. The rulers count. This land is divided and ruled by many kings, part by part. They have their own interest and they may change over their political career.
5a.For example, Shivaji Bhonsle, a Hindu King demanded one lakh gold coins from Tirumala for not destructing it. Later his vision expanded and felt guilty and two years before his death, he came with a return jewel gift to the lord.
5b.Another example, during Kalappiryar’a rule the court language was Prakrit. When they were defeated, the Pallavas came into Power, ruled a Part of Northern Tamil Nadu with Kanchi as the capital. Their court language transformed from Prakrit to Sanskrit.Mahendra Verma Pallava was initially a patron of the Jain faith but later to avoid the disconnect with the people, he embraced the Saiva faith. The court language was Tamil and Sanskrit. It is need of the time.
Yes, the period of Kalappirayar was termed as “Dark Age” It is also not known who the ruler, where did they come - no inscriptions.
6.Coming to Tirupati, because it is famous, even many claim, it is a Budhdhist Temple, some claim it is Jain Temple and within the Hindus, some claim this is a place of Sakthi and some claim Kaumari (Murugan). There is no end to it.
7.Better to read the “History of Tirupati” book published by TTD and take stock of inscriptions, temple architect and get convinced.
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6.IS TIRUPATI A JAIN TEMPLE?
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