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Monday, August 31, 2009

Lord Balaji at Tirumala


There is an interesting story that Kubera has granted a huge amount of loan to Lord Balaji, the highest diety in kaliyug, for his marriage and Lord Balaji agreed to repay the interest from the collections of temple at Tirupati, Andra Pradesh State, India. We don't know how far the story is true. But, Hindu people have got much faith on Lord Balaji who is also known as Lord Venkateshwara.

It is said that a turning point will come in the life of a suffering person, if he visits this temple once. Many people regularly visit the temple before performing a good deed or before starting a new business. Common people will also make a visit to this temple with a hope that something good will happen in their life. The tourists from all the countries and all the parts of India come to Tirupati and like to have the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. Many businessmen give a share of profit to this temple, on a regular basis. By the grace of Lord Balaji, the impossible things are made possible and the delighted people want to thank him in the form of putting some money in the Hundi at the temple. The daily Hundi collections exceed Rupee one crore and some people put gold, silver coins and jewellery also in the Hundi.

The people stand in long queues patiently, to have the darshan for few seconds. People believe that Lord Venkateshwara will come to our rescue if we give him a call and relieve us from our problems, whether we are a strong devotee or not. Many people give a vow to the Lord that they will visit Tirupati temple and leave the ego by tonsure, that is giving away the prestigious hair. Some people engage in fasting and do prayers to Lord venkateshwara to win his grace. Some people like to walk from foot of the Tirupati hills. Some people visit tirupati, before starting arrangement for marriage, to submit the wedding card at the lotus feet of Lord Balaji.

Special types of darshan facilities are also available. The VIPs and rich people make use of these to have the sacred darshan of Lord Balaji. On holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, there will be heavy rush. Special transport facilities are available from all parts of India, for visiting Tirupati. Also, advance booking for darshan can be made from many places and online booking facilities are also available.

The most auspicious function in Tirupati is the brahmotsavam festival and devotees from all over India and even from foreign countries, will be awaiting eagerly, to visit Tirupati at the time of this festival. It is believed that the creator of mankind the Lord Brahma first conducted this festival and hence, named as brahmotsavam. Normally, in the month of October, brahmotsavam is celebrated for a period of nine days. The rite of ankurarpana, that is sowing of seeds is performed in the evening, with a puja for Sri Vishvaksena, who removes obstacles, before commencement of brahmotsavam. On the first day, the commencement of brahmotsavam is marked by hoisting of the garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. By this, Garuda will reach devalokam to invite all devas for this function.

Daily homas and procession of utsava murthi on different chariots are performed on all the nine days. The last day is the Birth star of Lord Balaji and so, it is celebrated very grandly with special alankarams and abishekams. The sudharshana chakra is bathed in pushkarani and the devotees are blessed with the holy water dripping down from this chakra which is placed on a high platform. The lowering of garuda flag is known as dhvajavarohanam, which marks the end of the festival. The common people join with the priests and pay respects to Gods and Sages. Ther Veda Mantras are chanted by all. The festival is really a feast for millions of devotees.

So, please visit Tirupathi once, and get the blessings of Lord Balaji.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Meaning of Tirupati Balaji




The word "Venkateshwara" or "Venkatesa" is a combination of three words, namely,(1) VEM meaning 'sin' or 'papam'(2) KATA meaning 'destroy' or 'wash away'(3) ISA OR ISHWARA meaning 'GOD' or 'Lord'.Thus, the word Venkateswara or Venkatesa means 'God who destroys sins of His devotees'.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Darshan of Tirupati Balaji




every day. There are different Pujas one can perform at different timings of the day by paying fees. All details of pujas are available at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams official web site. Darshan can be booked from many e-Darshan counter available in different cities operated by TTD. You can see one such e darshan counter at Visakhapatnam. For Darshan all member has to be present at the counter where photo of every devotee is taken by using web cam and finger print also taken. Booking tickets along with accommodation reservation tickets can be taken from such e Darshan counters.

Electronic gadgets like mobile phone, cameras etc are not allowed inside the temple. All handbags are scanned before the main entry for Darshan. Devotees can deposit there footwear at the counter provided and take a token. This service is also free of cost provided by TTD. There are different types of Darshans offered by TTD, most popular darshan is Sudarshan darshan, in which rupees fifty is charged for each member. Reporting time for the Darshan will be mentioned in the ticket and devotees are to be report at Q complex ( the complex is build to accommodate devotes in the queue ). Usually one has to wait for two hours ( minimum ) in the queue to have Darshan of Lord Balaji. Different types of Darshan has different queue systems and different waiting time. In side the Q Complex good facility like drinking water, toilet , tea stalls are available.

Two free Ladus of Balaji are given as Prasad to each member after the Darshan. The Ladus are popularly known as Tirupati Ladu.

After the Darshan one can drop the offerings at the Hundi inside temple known as Srivari Hundi. Devotees offerings at Hundi are collected and counted inside a glass house within the complex. Devotees offer ornaments to cash and many other valuable items in the Hundi.


Monday, August 24, 2009

Tirupati Balaji, Lord Venkateswara's another true video





Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati, also known as Venkataramana Murty, is regarded as the last incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is hard to find a household in south India where the hymns in praise of the lord are not recited. The Tirumala Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh attracts millions of visitors every year. It is also one of the most well maintained and managed temples with online reservations for visits and Poojas. The offerings and donations by the devotees amount to several hundred crores of Rupees every year. A well-managed temple trust runs the "Venkateswara" hospitals, schools, colleges and a university with the money.


Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam

  • Kowsalya supraja Rama poorva sandhya pravarthathe
  • Uthishta narasardoola karthavyam daivamahnikam
  • Uthishtothishta Govinda uthishta garudadhwaja
  • Uthishta kamalakantha thrilokyam mangalam kuru
  • Mathassamasta jagatham madukaitabhare:
  • Vakshoviharini manohara divyamoorthe
  • Sree swamini srithajana priya danaseele
  • Sree Venkatesadayithe thava suprabhatham
  • Thavasuprabhathamaravindalochane
  • Bhavathu prasanna mukhachandra mandale
  • Vidhisankarendra vanithabhirarchithe
  • Vrishasaila nathadavithel davanidhe
  • Athriyadhi saptharushayssamupasyasandyam
  • Aakasa sindhu kamalani manoharani
  • Aadaya padhayuga marchayithum prapanna:
  • Seshadrisekhara vibho! Thava suprabhatham
  • Panchananabja bhava shanmukavasavadhya:
  • Tryvikramadhi charitham vibhudhasthuvanthi
  • Bhashapathipatathi vasara shuddhi marath
  • Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava subrabhatham
  • Eeshathprapulla saraseeruha narikela
  • Phoogadrumadi sumanohara Balikanam
  • Aavaathi mandamanilassaha divya gandhai:
  • Seshadri shekara vibho! thava suprabhatham
  • Unmeelya nethrayugamuththama panjarasthaa:
  • Paathraa vasishta kadhaleephala payasani Bhukthvaa
  • Saleelamatha keli sukha: patanthi
  • Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
  • Thanthreeprakarshamadhuraswanaya
  • Vipanchyaa Gayathyanantha charitham
  • Thava naradopi Bhashasamagrama sakruthkara sararammyam
  • Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
  • Brungavaleecha makaranda rashanuvidda
  • Jhankara geetha ninadaissa sevanaya
  • Niryathyupaantha sarasee kamalodarebhyaha
  • Seshadri sekhara vibhol thava suprabhatham
  • Yoshaganena varadhadni vimathyamaane
  • Ghoshalayeshu dhadhimanthana theevraghoshaaha
  • Roshaathkalim vidha-dhathe kakubhascha kumbhaha
  • Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
  • Padmeshamithra sathapathra kathalivargha
  • Harthum shriyam kuvalayasya nijanga Lakshmya
  • Bheree ninadamiva bibrathi theevranadam
  • Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
  • Sreemannabheeshta varadhakhila lookabandho
  • Sree Sreenivasa Jagadekadayaika sindho
  • Sree devathagruha bhujanthara divyamurthe
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Sree swamy pushkarinikaplava nirmalangaa
  • Sreyorthino hara viranchi sanadadhyaha
  • Dware vasanthi varavethra hathothamangaha:
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Sree seshasaila garudachala venkatadri
  • Narayanadri vrishabhadri vrishadri mukhyam
  • Akhyam thvadeeyavasathe ranisam vadanthi
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Sevaaparaashiva suresa krusanudharma
  • Rakshombhunatha pavamana dhanadhi nathaha:
  • Bhaddanjali pravilasannija seersha deSaha:
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Dhateeshuthevihagaraja mrugadhiraja
  • Nagadhiraja gajaraja hayadhiraja:
  • Swaswadhikara mahimadhika marthayanthe
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Sooryendhubhouma bhudhavakpathi kavya souri
  • Swarbhanukethu divishathparishathpradanaa:
  • Twaddhasa dasa charamavadhidaasa daasa:
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Thwathpadadhulibharita spurithothha manga:
  • Swargapavarga nirapeksha nijantharanga:
  • Kalpagamakalanaya kulatham labhanthe
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Thvadgopuragra sikharani nireekshmana
  • Swargapavarga padaveem paramam shrayantha:
  • Marthyaa manushyabhuvane mathimashrayanthe
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava Suprabhatham
  • Sree bhoominayaka dayadhi gunammruthabdhe
  • Devadideva jagadeka saranya moorthe
  • Sreemannanantha garudadibhirarchithangre
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Sree Padmanabha Purushothama Vasudeva
  • Vaikunta Madhava Janardhana chakrapane
  • Sree vathsachinha saranagatha parijatha
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Kandarpa darpa hara sundara divya murthe
  • Kanthaa kuchamburuha kutmialola drishte
  • Kalyana nirmala gunakara divyakeerthe
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Meenakruthe kamatakola Nrusimha varnin
  • Swamin parashvatha thapodana Ramachandra
  • Seshamsharama yadhunandana kalki roopa
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Elaa lavanga ghanasaara sugandhi theertham
  • Divyam viyathsarithi hemaghateshu poornam
  • Drutwadhya vaidika sikhamanaya: prahrushta:
  • Thishtanthi Venkatapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Bhaswanudethi vikachani saroruhani
  • Sampoorayanthi ninadai: kakubho vihangha:
  • Sree vaishnavassathatha marthitha mangalasthe
  • Dhamasrayanthi thava Venkata! subrabhatham
  • Bhramadayassuravarasamaharshayastthe
  • Santhassa nandana mukhastvatha yogivarya:
  • Dhamanthike thavahi mangala vasthu hasthaa:
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • Lakshminivasa niravadya gunaika sindo:
  • Samsarasagara samuththaranaika setho
  • Vedanta vedya nijavaibhava bhakta bhogya
  • Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
  • ltnam vnsnacnala pamerlna suprabhatham
  • Ye manava: prathidinam patithum pravrutha:
  • Thesham prabhatha samaye smruthirangabhhajam
  • Pragnyam paraartha sulabham paramam prasoothe
  • Venkateswra Stotram
  • Kamalakucha choochuka kunkumatho
  • Niyatharunithathula neelathano
  • Kamalayatha lochana lokapathe
  • Vijayeebhava Venkatasaila pathe
  • Sachadhurmukha shanmukha panchamukha
  • Pram ukakhila daivatha mouli mane
  • Saranagatha vathsala saranidhe
  • Paripalayamam vrishasailapathe
  • Athivelathaya thava durvishahai
  • Ranuvela Kruthairaparada sathai:
  • Paritham thvaritham vrishasailapathe
  • Paraya krupaya paripahi Hare
  • Adhivenkata saila mudaramather
  • Janathabimathadhika danarathath
  • Paradevathaya gathithannigamai:
  • Kamaladayithtanna param kalaye
  • Kalavenuravavasa gopa vadhu
  • Sathakoti vrithath smarakoti samath
  • Prathivalla vikabhimathath sukhadhath
  • Vasudeva suthanna paramkalaye
  • Abhirama gunakara dasarathe
  • Jagadeka danurdhara dheeramathe
  • Raghunayaka Rama Ramesa vibho
  • Varadho bhava deva daya jaladhe
  • Avaneethanaya kamaneeyakaram
  • Rajaneechara charu mukhamburuham
  • Rajaneechara raja thamo mihiram
  • Mahaneeyamaham Raghuramamaye
  • Sumukham Suhrudam Sulabham sukhadam
  • Swanujam cha Sukhayamamogha—
  • Saram Apahaya Raghudwaha manyamaham
  • Na kathnchana kanchana jathu bhaje
  • Vinaa Venkatesam nanatho nanatha:
  • Sadaa Venkatesam smarami smarami
  • Hare Venkatesa Praseeda Praseeda
  • Priyam Venkatesa Prayachha Prayachha
  • Aham doorathasthe padamboja yugma
  • Pranamechaya gathya sevam karomi
  • Sakruthsevaya nithyasevapalam thvam
  • Prayachha prayachha prabho Venkatesa
  • Agnanina maya doshaanaseshan vihithan Hare
  • Kshamasvathm kshamasvathvam
  • Seshasailasikhamane
  • Venkateswra Prapatti
  • Eesanam jagothosya Venkatapathe
  • Vishno paraam preyaseem
  • Thadhwakshasthala nithyavasarasikam
  • Thath kshanthi samvardhineem
  • Padmalankrutha pani pallavayugam
  • Padmasanasthaam Sriyam
  • Vathsalyadi gunojwalam Bhagavatheem
  • Vande jaganmatharam
  • Sreeman krupajaianidhe krithasarvaloka
  • Sarvagna Saktanathavathsala sarvaseshin
  • Swamin susheela sulabhasritha parijatha
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Aanupurarpitha sujatha sugandhi pushpa
  • Sowrabhya Sowrabhakarow samasannivesow
  • Sowmyow sadanubhavanepi navanu bhavyow
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam papadhye
  • Sadyo vikasi samudithvara saandra raga
  • Sourabhya nirbhara saroruha soumya vaartham
  • Samyakshu sahasa padeshu vilekhayanthow
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Rekamayadwaja sudhakala saathapatra
  • Vajraamkrusamburuha kalpaka sanka chakrai
  • Bhawyai ralankruthathalow parathathva chinnai
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Thamrodara dyuthi parajitha padmaraagow
  • Baahyairmahobhi rabhi bhootha mahendra neelow
  • Udhyannakhamsubhi rudastha sasaanka bhasow
  • Sree Venkatessa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Saprema bheethi kamalakara pallavabhyam
  • Samvahanepi sapadiklamamada dhanow
  • Kantha vavaangmanasa gochara sowkumaryow
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Lakshmeemaheetha dhanuroopa nijanubhava
  • Neeladi divyamahisheekara pallavanam
  • Aarunya sankramanatha kila saandra raagow
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Nithyanamadvidhi sivadi kireetakoti
  • Prathyupthadeepta navarathna mahaprarohai
  • Neerajanavidhi mudaramupada dhanow
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Vishnopade parama ithyuditha prasamsow
  • Yow madhwa uthsa ithi bhogyathayapyupaaththow
  • Bhooyasthathethi thava paanithala pradishtow
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Parthaaya thathsadrusa saarathina thvayaiva
  • Yow darshithow swacharanow saranam vrajethi
  • Shoyopi mahyamihathow karadarsithowthe
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Manmoordhni kaaliyapane vikataataveshu
  • Sree Venkatadri sikhare sirasi srutheenaam
  • Chithepyananyamanasam samamahithowthe
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Amiana hrushyadavaneethala keernapushpow
  • Sree Venkatadri sikharabharanaya manow
  • Aanandithaakila manonayanow thavaithow
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Praya prasanna janatha prathamavagahyow
  • Mathusthanaviva sisoramrtuhayamanow
  • Prapthow parasparathulamathulantharowthe
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Sathvotharaissathathasevya padambujena
  • Samsaratharaka dayadradruganchalena
  • Soumyopayanthru munina mamadarshithowthe
  • Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
  • Sreesa sriya ghatikaya thvadupaya bhave
  • Prapye thvayi swayamu peyathaya spuranthya
  • Nithyasrithaya niravadya gunayathubhyam
  • Syam kinkaroo Vrishagireesanajathumahyam
  • Venkateswra Mangalam
  • Sriyah kanthaya kalyana nidhaye nidhayerthinam
  • Sri Venkata nivasaya Srinivasaya Mangalam.
  • Lakshmi savibhramaloka-subhru vibhrama chakshushe
  • Chakshushe SarvaloKanam Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Sri Venkatadri Sringagra-Mangalaha bharananghraye
  • Mangalanam nivasaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Sarvavayava soundarya Sampadha Sarvachethasam
  • Sada sammohanayasthu Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Nithyaya niravadhyaya Sathyananda chidhathmane
  • Sarvantharathmane Srimad Venkatesava Mangalam.
  • Swathassarvavide sarvasakthaye Sarvaseshine
  • Sulabhaya Suseelaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Parasmai Brahmane Poorna Kamaya Paramathmane
  • Prayunje Parathathvaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Akalathathva masrantha mathmanamanu-pasyatham
  • Aipthya mritha rupaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Prayah swacharanow Pumsam Saranyathvena Panina
  • Kripaya dhisathe Srimad-Venkatesava Mangalam.
  • Dhayamritha tharanginya-Stharangairiva Seethalaih
  • Apagaissinchalhe viswam Venkatesava Mannalam.
  • Sragbhushambara hetheenam Sushamava hamurthaye
  • Sarvarthi Samanavasthu Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Sri Vaikunta virakthaya Swami Pushkarineethate
  • Ramaya Ramamanaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
  • Srimad sundarajamathru manimanasavasine
  • Sarvaloka Nivasava Srinivasaya Mangalam.
  • Mangalasasana paraih madacharya Purogamaih.
  • Sarvaischa Purvairacharyaih Sathkrithayasthu Mangalam.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Tirupati Balaji Tirupati Balaji


The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.It is by the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.




Tirupati Tirumala Balaji TempleThe temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.

The benefits acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestowed of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.

History
There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara. All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions.

It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple.

Temple Legends
Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which the most important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed work contains extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Aditya Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. Most of these extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills around Tirumala and the numerous teerthams situated on them.

The legends taken from the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha Purana, pertaining to the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala, are of particular interest.

According to the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself on the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara came to reside on the southern bank of the Swami Pushkarini