The world-renowned Shri Venkateshwara Temple is situated at
Tirupati. Thronged by millions of people daily, this most famous abode of
Lord Vishnu is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the
Tirumala Hills, and lies on the southern banks of
Sri Swami Pushkarini.
The designation, Venkateshwara (Lord of the Venkata Hill), is obtained by the Lord’s regime over Venkatachala. He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. The Sastras,
Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns state that, in the
Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateshwara.
The temple has three 'Prakarams' or enclosures. The utmost enclosure contains the 'Dhvajastambha' or the banner post and the statues of Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya and his companions, and of Todarmal who was the minister of Akbar. The daily program starts with ‘Suprabhatam’, which means awakening the Lord, at three in the morning and ends with the 'Ekanta Seva' (putting the Lord to sleep), at one in the night.
The entrance to worship the deity is made through Vaikuntam Queue Complex, which is a series of inter-connected halls that directs to the main temple. Other modes of darshan are Sarvadarsanam, Special Darshan, Sudarsanam Token System, and Special Darshan for the Physically Disabled and the Aged. The most important festival celebrated in the temple is the Brahmotsavam.
