Located in the foot hills of Tirumala, Tirupati is a famous temple town
in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. It is the richest shrine in the
Hindu world and the second busiest and richest religious centre in the
world after the Vatican. Every year more than 12 million people visit
this temple both from India and abroad.
Tirupati Temple is the
abode of
Lord Venkateshwara (one of the incarnations of Lord
Vishnu). Tirumala has seven hills which represents the seven heads of a
huge serpent, called Sesha Saye, on which Lord Vishnu resides. The black
idol of Lord Vishnu or Balaji is covered in gold, jewellery and precious
ornaments and is 2 metres high. It is believed that any wish expressed
before this image of the Lord will always be granted. Worship at the
temple begins in early morning hours before dawn, with
"Suprabhatham"
when Lord Venkateswara is woken from his rest. This morning ritual is an
unforgettable experience as the hundreds of oil lamps light up the
sanctum and the majesty of the image decked in glittering ornaments is
seen.
