The story of Bhima, the poor potter, is a testament to the transformative power of unwavering devotion and the miracles it can bring about. This tale is set in the ancient kingdom ruled by King Thondaman, the benevolent monarch who constructed the first temple at Tirupati, dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara (also known as Srinivasa). King Thondaman was a devout worshiper of Lord Venkateshwara and made it a daily ritual to visit the Tirumala hills to offer golden flowers at the deity's feet. These golden flowers symbolized his immense wealth and dedication. One day, as he was engrossed in his prayers, he noticed something unusual. Amidst the golden flowers, there were flowers made of soil. Perplexed and intrigued, he sought an explanation from the Lord. To his amazement, Lord Venkateswara revealed the story of Bhima, a humble potter who lived in the kingdom. Bhima was incredibly poor and could not afford to offer gold or precious items to the deity. Instead, he crafted flowers from...

King Thondaman is celebrated as one of the most devout followers of Lord Venkateswara Swamy of Tirumala Tirupati. His devotion and service to the deity led him to build the first Tirupati Temple, known as Sri Bhu Sametha Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, in Thondamanadu, the present day Tirumala Tirupati. Background and Family Padmavathi Devi, who was adopted by Akasa Raju, had a significant connection with Lord Venkateswara. Due to her penance for Maha Vishnu in her previous lives, she was destined to marry him, who incarnated as Srinivasa. Their divine marriage, blessed by Mahalakshmi Devi, took place amidst great auspices, and they resided in the ashram of Sage Agastya for six months following their union. Akasa Raju's wife, Dharani Devi, and their family, including their son Vasudan and Akasa Raju's brother Thondaman, played crucial roles in the unfolding events. After Akasa Raju attained salvation, a conflict arose between Thondaman and Vasudan over the kingdom. They de...

The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, also known as Venkateswara Temple, is often referred to as Tiruvengadam due to its historical and cultural significance. The name "Thiruvengadam" has roots in the ancient Tamil language and literature. Historical Significance: The term "Thiruvengadam" is derived from the Tamil words "Tiru" (sacred) and "Vengadam" (the hill). This name dates back to ancient Tamil texts and inscriptions, which refer to the sacred hill of Venkatachala (the Venkata Hill) where the temple is located. The Venkata Hill is one of the seven hills of Tirumala and is considered holy. Cultural References: In classical Tamil literature, especially in the Sangam period texts, the hill and the deity are referred to as "Thiruvengadam". It is mentioned in works such as Silappatikaram and Periyalwar Tirumoli, where the hill and the deity are glorified. Linguistic Roots: The name Venkateswara, the primary deity of the temple, is...

Pavithrotsavam is the ritual to ward off any shortcomings in the daily poojas that is being done to Lord Balaji at the world famous Tirumala Venkateswara Tirupati Temple. In 2025, the rituals begin on August 4 and ends on August 7. Pavithrotsavam means purification festival. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams celebrates Pavithrotsavam ritual for 3 days in Shravan month from Sravana Suddha Dasami, Ekadasi and Dwadasi. Pavithrotsavam in Tirumala 2025 August 4, 2025 - Ankurarpanam August 5, 2025 - Pavithra Prathista August 6, 2025 - Pavithra Samarpana August 7, 2025 - Poornahuti Importance of Pavithrotsavam in Tirupati Temple The significance of this ritual is that on this day the priests symbolically seek pardon from the Lord for their acts of all omissions and commissions; committed knowingly or unknowingly while performing pujas and rituals in the temple during the course of the year. In this utsavam, Pavithra garlands are adorned on Sri Venkateswara Swami, Sri Varaha ...

Tirumala Jyeshta Abhishekam is an important ritual observed in the world famous Srivari Tirupati Balaji Temple. It is observed in the Telugu Jyeshta month. Srivari Jyeshta Abhishekam 2026 dates are from June 27 to June 29. Highlight of the Tirumala Jyeshta Abhishekam Lord Venkateswara will give audience to devotees in various armors during the occasion. Diamond Armor – June 27 Pearl Armor – June 28 Gold Armor – June 29 This is the only period when devotees can have darshan of the original murti of Lord Venkateshwara without any adornments. Jyeshta Abhishekam – Why and What The ritual is essentially meant to protect the original murti of Lord Balaji. It is believed that the murti suffers minor damages due to the various daily rituals. To solve this problem, Jyeshta Abhishekam has been performed strictly as per tradition since 1990s. Bhrigu in his Prakirna Adhikara ordains that spicy oils should be offered to Vishnu, the Lord of Lords, on the Full Moon day of the r...

Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is observed at Tirupati Balaji Temple during the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi in Dhanurmasa – the eleventh day during the waxing phase of moon in December – January. In 2025, Vaikunta Ekadasi at Tirupati Balaji Temple is on December 30. Vaikunta Dwaram opening time is 4:30 AM on December 30, 2025. The most important ritual on the day is the witnessing of the opening of the door in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple also known as ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘Swargada Bagilu’ (the gate to the heaven). Devotees can pass through this door only on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. Vaikunta Dwaram as the name indicates is the door to Vaikunta – abode of Srihari Vishnu. The door is opened only on this day. The utsava murti of Balaji is taken around the Mada Street on Vahanas on this day along with Sridevi and Bhudevi. The main ritual on this day is the passing through the Vaikunta Dwaram. Apart from this devotees observe fast on the entire Ekadasi day. Devotees ...

The annual Brahmotsavam in Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple is the most important temple festival conducted by TTD. Tirumala Navarathri Brahmotsavam 2025 dates are September 22 to October 2, 2025. The detail schedule of each vahana during Tirupati Brahmotsavam by TTD is given below. During the nine-days of the Brahmotsavams, Sri Venkateswara will be taken in procession around the temple in different Vahanas (special decorated Vehicles based on Vishnu legends). There will be special Unjal Seva during the period. The most important day during the festival is Garuda Vahanam procession takes place more than 100,000 devotees assemble to witness the all important festival procession. Tirumala Navarathri Brahmotsavam Dates - Schedule September 23, 2025  – Ankurarpanam, Senathipathi Utsavam (Evening) September 24, 2025  – Dwajarohanam (Morning) Pedda Sesha Vahanam (Evening) September 25, 2025   – Chinna Sesha Vahanam (Morning) Hamsa Vahanam (Evening) September 26,...

Ananthacharya, a great devotee of the Bhagavan Venkateswara started offering flower garlands to Bhagavan as seva, as per the instructions of his Guru Sri Ramanujacharya. He started created a flower garden along with his wife to get sufficient quantities of flowers. The devoted couple had to toil very hard to get the required flowers. His wife though pregnant undertook the hard labour for the seva of Srihari very happily. Pleased with the hard work of the devoted couple, Bhagavan Venkateswara wanted to help them. But Ananthacharya did not want anybody’s help for the work related to his flower garden as he did not want to share his service to Bhagavan with anyone else. One day when the wife of Ananthacharya felt extremely tired while she was carrying a basket of mud, a smart and handsome boy came from nowhere and started helping her. With his help she completed the job early. Seeing this, Ananthacharya enquired as to how she was able to accomplish the job quickly. She replied that sh...

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, the official management body of Tirupati Balaji Temple, manages an organisation by the name Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanashala. It provides shelter and protection to cows. In the process, TTD provides milk to all its concerned temples, institutions, dining halls and also butter and ghee to the Srivari Temples. There is also a scientific institution set up to work on a better food for the cattle, better hospital availability to enable more milk and milk production apart from providing animals to help carry the goods to the temples. History of Goshala in Tirupati Venkateswara Temple Around thousand years back, the details regarding the milk production was detailed in Sri Venkateswara Swami’s records. In those times, the Chola ruler, Kulottunga Chola–I (1070 to 1122) used them for the daily rituals. Around 1933 AD, near Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Dakshina Mada Street,   Sri Venkateswara Milk Production Centre was started. In 1933 A.D., i...

When Sri Ramanujacharya stayed in Tirupati for one year, milk, curd and ghee was supplied by Thumbimaankondi. Once, Sri Ramanujacharya called her to his place to pay her money for milk, curd and ghee for the whole year. To the surprise of Sri Ramanujacharya, Thumbimankondi did not take the money instead she asked Sri Ramanujacharya to give her moksha or liberation. Sri Ramanujacharya asked her who told her that he can provide moksha to her. An innocent Thumbimankondi told Sri Ramanujacharya that if he gave a letter of recommendation to Srinivasa (Venkateswara) she would get moksha. Sri Ramanujacharya wanted to know what he should write in the letter. She told that he should write so powerfully and intensely that she be granted moksha. Sri Ramanujacharya then wanted to know if he indeed write such a letter what will she do with it. Thumbimankondi told Sri Ramanujacharya that she would climb the Tirumala hills with the letter and then present the letter to Lord Venkateshwara wo...

Rathasapthami, or Ratha Saptami, is an important annual festival held at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple. The most important event of the day is the procession of Lord Venkateswara (Malayappaswamy) and his consorts atop seven Vahanams (vehicles). Ratha Saptami 2026 date in Tirumala is January 25. TTD observes the festival as Surya Jayanthi. Tirumala Tirupati Temple scriptures indicate that Ratha Sapthami (also written as Rathasapthami) is being organized from 1565. On the day, Lord Venkateswara along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken on a procession around four mada streets atop seven vahanams: Suryaprabha Vahanam, Chinna Sesha Vahanam,  Garuda Vahanam, Hanumantha Vahanam,  Kalpavriksha Vahanam, Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam,  Chandraprabha Vahanam besides Chakrasnanam. The uniqueness of the festival lies in the fact that devotees can view and get the blessing of Balaji atop different Vahanas. Even during the famous Brahmotsavams, Lord Balaj...

Swami Pushkarini is the sacred pond at Tirupati Balaji Temple and is of great importance to Vishnu devotees. The greatness and holinesss of it is mentioned in the Brahmanda, Vamana, Brahma, Skanda, Padma and Bhavishyotara Purana. Srihari Vishnu having left his abode Vaikunta settled on the southern side of Swami Pushkarini, in the form of Sri Venkateswara along with his beloved divine spouse Goddess Rama Devi enjoying the serenity of its surroundings. (Brahmanda Purana) Three things are highly recommended while visiting Tirupati Balaji Temple, first is taking holy dip in the Swami Pushkarini. The next is having darshan of Lord in the sanctum sanctorum and the final is having the Prasad of Lord. Among the 1008 Tirthas in Tirumala, Swami Pushkarini is one among the seven tirthas that can grant moksha. As per an account in the Brahma Purana, Saraswati River who performed intense austerities to become the greatest river in the universe got the blessing from Lord Vishnu that she w...

Darshan at Balaji temple is one of the most desired and cherished moment for any Venkateswara devotee. So many devotees have this doubt as to there is any particular day to go to Balaji temple at Tirumala Tirupati or in temples in any part of the world. Saturday is the most auspicious day dedicated to Balaji as per South Indian belief. Thursday is another auspicious day for visiting the shrine as the day is dedicated to Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu. Another auspicious date to visit Balaji as per some communities in Wednesday. This is because the day is dedicated to Krishna and also auspicious for learning and other purposes.

As per Hindu scriptures, Pushpayagam is performed to protect the earth from natural calamities such as earthquakes, cyclones, droughts, epidemics and appease the Lord to save the life of humanity, flora and fauna from all the catastrophes. At Tirupati Balaji Temple,Pushpayagam, which was in vogue in 15th Century, was stopped for a long time and was reinstated by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in 1980s. Today it is an Annual festival celebrated on the Sravana Nakshatra day (birth star of Lord Balaji) in the month of Karthika (October/November) after Annual Brahmotsavam to Lord Venkateswara. Ankurarpanam is done prior to the Pushpayagam. On this day, after conducting the daily pujas, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi is seated on a special golden platform in Sampangi Mandapam. After offering Thirumanjanam to the Utsava murtis worship is being done to them with tons of varieties of flowers. Later procession takes place in the evening. All flowers used for ...

Kumaradhara Theertham in Tirupati is associated with a miracle of Bhagavan Venkateswara. The popular story has it that the Kumaradhara Theertham waterfall transformed an old man into a sixteen year old youth. Once, a learned man who was old and blind built a hermitage over Sri Venkatachala with the help of his son and was living in it. One day he was wandering around with his son Kaundinya and went far away from their hermitage. The son asked his father to take rest under a tree; in the meantime he will spot the way back to hermitage and get back to him soon. After waiting for sometime the old man began to shout loudly. Hearing the shouts of the old man a young swami came near him. “Old man! For whom are you searching? Nobody is found in the vicinity” said young swami to old man. “I am searching for my son. Who will come to my rescue now?” said the old man. For the hapless, God alone is the Saviour!” said young swami. “Old Man! You seem to have reached the last stage o...

Kodandarama Temple , also known as Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple , is dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman and is located in the heart of Tirupati in Seemandhra in India . It is a very old temple and is believed to have been built in the 10th century AD by a Chola King. Kodandarama is a famous form of Bhagavan Sri Ram worshipped in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is bow wielding form of Sri Rama. A unique aspect of the temple is that there is a subsidiary shrine dedicated to Hanuman it is located directly to opposite to the main temple. This temple dedicated to Anjaneya Swami is very famous. As per legend, the temple is dedicated to visit of the Bhagwan Sri Ram to Tirupati during the exile period in the Ramayana. The most important festival in the temple are Sri Ramanavami (birthday of Sri Ram) and Ugadi (Telugu/Kannada New Year). Another important festival is the annual Brahmotsavam. Special pujas are observed on Saturdays, Sundays, Punarvasu, Purnima ...

The abhishekam of the main deity in the Tirupati Balaji Temple is performed using the water from the Akasha Ganga in Tirumala. There is story which explains the origin of Akasha Ganga and it also explains the importance of unwavering devotion as Tirumala Nambi had darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. Srisaila Purna, the main priest of Tirupati Temple, used to get sacred water to perform daily Abhishekam of Lord Venkateswara Swamy with utmost devotion from Papanasana Theertham as per the Instructions of Yamunacharya. The Papanasana Theertham was quite far away and Srisaila Purna found it difficult to carry the holy water.  One day when Srisaila Purna was returning with water for Abhishekam, a thirsty tribal person belonging to Boya (hunter) clan met him. The thirsty hunter requested for water but Srisaila Purna was not ready to give water meant for Abhishekam of Balaji. The hunter kept on requesting for water and Srisaila Purna kept denying as he had no energy to g...

The temple of Lord Sri Sundara Raja Swami is a sub-shrine in the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple complex at Tiruchanur in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Goddess Padmavati is the Consort of Sri Venkateswara of Alamelumangapuram, Tiruchanur. This temple of Sri Sundararaja Swami is also known as Sri Varadaraja Swami temple and the Lord gives darshan to devotees along with his two consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. As Sri Sundara Raja, Lord Vishnu is the handsome beautiful ruler in the universe. The temple was built during 16th Century AD as the stone inscriptions of 1541 AD and 1547 AD make mention of the Rathotsava (Car Festival) of Sri Varadaraja Swami and brahmotsavams.  The Main Murti Of Sri Sundara Raja Swamy Worshipped In the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple the main murti of Sundararaja Swami or Varadaraja Swami appears as Sthanaka Murti or as an idol in standing posture with four hands. In the upper two hands he holds Sudarshana Chakra and Panchajanya and the lower right hand ...

The root of the foot path leading to the top of the Tirumala Tirupati hills, Alipiri, is the pedestal of the seven hills in Tirumala. A pilgrim takes the first step of the journey to the holy abode of Balaji from here. It is believed that Lord Venkateswara, in order to climb His holy hills took His first step here and left the imprints of His sacred feet at Alipiri. This spot is immortalized as 'Padala mandapam'. The spot is of great religious significance and importance to all Venkateswara devotees. In 1628 AD. Matla Kumara Anantharaja of Devachoda family built a mandapam at Alipiri renowned as padala mandapam. It is under the tamarind tree here that Tirumala Nambi taught the secrets of Ramayana to his disciple the divine Ramanuja. It is believed that the holy footprints of Lord Venkateswara appeared at this spot as narrated in Sri Venkatachala Itihasa Mala. Pilgrims coming by foot to Tirumala first worship these sacred foot prints of Lord Venkateswara. Tho...

As per stories associated with Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati, Vakula Matha, the foster mother of Lord Venkateswara on earth was the rebirth of Yashoda. Yashoda was the foster mother of Little Krishna in Dwapara Yuga. Yashoda who witnessed his childhood miracles was worried that she could not perform even a marriage to Krishna. She was not fortunate enough to see any of his marriages as well. To condone her anguish, Krishna gave her a boon, “Oh mother! I will be born as Srinivasa (Venkateswara) in the Kali Yuga. At that time, I will marry Padmavathi, daughter of Akasha Raju. You will have the privilege of performing that marriage.” Yashoda of Dvapara Yuga took rebirth in Kali Yuga as Vakula Matha. Vakula Matha took care of Srinivasa like his own mother. Srinivasa could relish her maternal affection once again. Once, Srinivasa went to the hillside for hunting. There, he saw Padmavathi chased by a herd of elephants. Protecting her from the attack of elephants, Srinivasa ...