Tirupati Balaji Temple is the holiest place and one of the largest ancient shrines in the world. It is located in the Eastern Ghat in Chittoor district. This temple dedicated to the Hindu God Venkateshwara (Vishnu). The temple of Shri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. It is believed that in this Kalyuga, one can attain Mukti only by worshipping Shri Vendateswara.The ancient and sacred temple of Shri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, and lies on the southern banks of Shri 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.
History of the temple
There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity of the temple of Lord Shri Venkateswara. All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Shri 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 completed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions. It was during the rule of the Vijaranagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Shri Krishnadeva Raya had statues of him 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.
