Tirumala Venkateswara Temple  

The Sacred Origins of Tirumala

The legend of the Tirumala temple finds its roots in a rich tapestry of ancient scriptures, including the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa Purana, Vamana, Brahma, Brahmottara, Aditya, Skanda, and Bhavishyottara Puranas also mention these divine accounts. These texts narrate the divine manifestation of Lord Venkateswara, the sanctity of the Tirumala hills, and the abundance of sacred teerthams, springs, and streams.

Of special importance are the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha Purana, which reveal detailed accounts of how the Lord came to reside at Tirumala.

As per the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha—an incarnation of Lord Vishnu—first manifested on the western shore of Swami Pushkarini, the sacred temple tank. Later, Lord Vishnu took the form of Sri Venkateswara and chose the southern bank as His abode.

The Pralaya and the Emergence of Adi Varaha

During eight thousand yugas—equivalent to one full day and night of Lord Brahma—a great cosmic fire consumed the Earth. Humanity fled to higher planes like Janaloka. In the twilight of Brahma’s day, Vayu—the Wind God—unleashed mighty storms and torrential rains, triggering the great cosmic flood known as Pralaya Kalpa. The Earth sank into Patala Loka, submerged in darkness for a thousand divine years.

In response, Lord Vishnu assumed the mighty form of Adi Varaha, a colossal wild boar, and descended to the netherworld. Following an intense battle, Lord Vishnu triumphed over the demon Hiranyaksha, parted the primeval waters, and gently raised the Earth upon His divine tusks.

The gods and sages sang praises, and Adi Varaha, moved by their devotion, promised to stay on Earth for its protection. He instructed Garuda to bring the celestial hill Kridachala from Vaikuntha. Garuda placed it on the eastern side of Swami Pushkarini, where Adi Varaha entered a resplendent vimana adorned with glittering gopurams.

He later assumed a peaceful four-armed form, accompanied by Bhudevi, choosing Venkatadri as His eternal abode, so devotees could attain salvation even in Kali Yuga.

The Transformation of the Hills

In Dwapara Yuga, a disagreement between Vayudeva and Adisesha led to a divine contest. On Vishnu’s command, Adisesha encircled the sacred Ananda Hill, while Vayu attempted to uproot it. As their celestial clash unfolded, the gods intervened to restore harmony, and Adisesha finally withdrew his hold.

Both Adisesha and the Ananda Hill were swept away to the Swarnamukhi riverbanks, where Adisesha transformed into three sacred hill formations:

Venkatadri (his hood) – the abode of Sri Venkateswara

Ahobilam (his torso) – home to Lord Narasimha

Srisailam (his tail) – where Lord Mallikarjuna resides

Divine Marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavathi

At the onset of Kali Yuga, Lord Vishnu departed from Venkatadri. Saddened, Lord Brahma urged Narada to bring Him back. Sage Narada once visited a group of rishis conducting a yagna along the banks of the sacred Ganga, initiating a divine sequence of events. They were undecided on which deity deserved the fruit of their sacrifice, so Sage Bhrigu was sent to test the Trimurtis.

After being ignored by Brahma and Shiva, Bhrigu visited Vaikuntha, where Lord Vishnu, resting with Goddess Lakshmi, also did not rise immediately. Overcome by arrogance, Sage Bhrigu struck Lord Vishnu's chest with his foot. Vishnu, instead of retaliating, gently soothed the sage’s foot. This humility revealed Vishnu’s greatness.

However, Goddess Lakshmi, hurt by this disrespect, left Vaikuntha and incarnated on Earth as Princess Padmavathi, daughter of King Akasa Raja.

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Srinivasa and came to reside on Venkatadri. Their meeting blossomed into divine love, and Vakuladevi (his foster mother from a previous birth as Yashoda) delivered the wedding proposal. The marriage was celebrated in grandeur with wealth borrowed from Kubera, the treasurer of the gods.

The Turning to Stone: Eternal Union of the Divine

About six months after this celestial wedding, Goddess Maha Lakshmi, who had earlier left the Lord in distress following the incident with Sage Bhrigu, learned of Srinivasa’s marriage to Padmavathi. Shocked and disbelieving, she came to Tirumala to confront her consort.

In a powerful moment, both Goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavathi came face to face with Lord Srinivasa. Unable to bear the emotional turbulence of this divine confrontation, the Lord transformed into a granite statue right before their eyes.

At this pivotal moment, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva appeared and explained the divine intention behind these events—the Lord’s descent to Tirumala was to liberate mankind from the trials and tribulations of Kali Yuga.

Moved by the higher purpose, both Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Padmavathi too chose to become stone idols, expressing their wish to remain eternally with their Lord. From that moment onward, Goddess Lakshmi was seated on the left side of the Lord’s chest, while Goddess Padmavathi graced His right—signifying their eternal presence within the sanctum sanctorum.

Sri Varahaswami and the Sacred Tradition

Before Lord Venkateswara chose Venkatadri as His dwelling, Sri Varahaswami had already established His presence there. His sanctum, facing eastward, is located at the northwest edge of Swami Pushkarini.

As per tradition, when Srinivasa requested land to reside on the hill, Varahaswami graciously agreed. In reverence, Lord Venkateswara decreed that every devotee must first seek the blessings of Varahaswami and offer naivedyam, before coming to Him for darshan. This sacred practice continues to this day—every offering at Tirumala is first made to Lord Varahaswami, honoring the age-old divine covenant.

Tirumala Beyond the Sanctum: Sacred Sites and Teerthams

Beyond the iconic Vaishnavite temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, a marvel of Dravidian architecture, Tirumala is blessed with several sacred and spiritually significant spots that pilgrims must explore. Notable among them are:

Swami Pushkarini

Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple

Sri Hathiramjee Mutt

Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Srivari Sikhara Darshanam

Sila Thoranam (a natural rock arch)

Dharmagiri

Narayangiri

Papavinasanam

Akasa Ganga Waterfalls

Temple Museum

Asthana Mandapams

Gogarbham Gardens

Tirumala is also dotted with numerous teerthams (sacred water bodies), each with its own legend and spiritual merit. These include:

Pandava Teertham

Kumaradhara Teertham

Tumbhuru Teertham

Ramakrishna Teertham

Chakra Teertham

Vaikuntha Teertham

Sesha Teertham

Sitamma Teertham

Pasupu Teertham

Japali Teertham

Sanaka Sanandana Teertham

Some of the most important festivals and spiritual events associated with these teerthams are:

Kumaradhara Magha Pournami

Ramakrishna Pushya Pournami

Tumbhuru Phalguna Pournami

Chakra Snanam during Karthika Masa – Ksheerabdhi Dwadasi

These waters and events add layers of sacredness to the divine hills of Tirumala, offering devotees both inner cleansing and outer blessings.

Temple Timings

Open 24hours