History of the temple

Ancient History
TirumalaTemple Entrance


The exact beginnings of the temple are shrouded in antiquity and its origins are a matter of debate. The Sangam literature of Tamil such as Silapadikaram and Satanar's Manimekalai, dated between 500 B.C to 300 A.D, mentions Thiruvengadam (now named Tirupati) as the northernmost frontier of the Tamil Kingdoms. Other Indian literature dating during the Mauryan and Guptan regimes mention it as "Aadhi Varaha Kshetra" (The ancient site of Varaha). Till the time of Ramanuja, the famous Vaishnava scholar of the 12th century, the identity of the deity was still disputed until he confirmed it to be indeed Vishnu.
Adhi VarahaMurthy Temple of Tirumala
Adhi VarahaMurthy Temple of Tirumala

The site was an established center by the 5th century A.D, and the Alvars (Vaishnava saints) belonging to the Bhakti movement in Tamilnadu sung in praise of Venketeswara. Its significance in Southern Vaishnavite tradition was at the time next only to Srirangam. The temple was richly endowed by the kings of various dynasties thus adding to its current reputation as the richest and most opulent temple in the world. The Imperial pallavas (who originally built the temple), Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara (including Krishna Deva Raya were some of the key contributors for building the temple and donating gold and other ornaments for the temple.
Medieval History

It was under the regime of the Vijayanagara emperors that the temple attained the majority of its current opulence[3] and size with the donation of expensive jewellery made of diamonds and gold. The coronation ceremonies of the emperors were also held at Tirupati. In 1517, Krishnadevaraya, on one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels enabling the Vimana (inner shrine) roofing to be gilded. The Maratha general Raghoji Bhonsle visited the temple and set up a permanent administration for the conduct of worship in the temple. Among the later rulers who endowed large benefactions were the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.

In 1843, with the coming of the East India Company, the administration of the Shri Venkateshwara temple and a number of shrines was entrusted to Seva Dossji of the Hathiramji Mutt at Tirumala as Vicaranakarta for nearly a century until 1932 when Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was established as a result of T.T.D Act, 1932.

Modern History
Swami Pushkarni of Tirumala
Swami Pushkarni of Tirumala

See TTD's Mandate for more details

TTD is operated by a Board of Trustees has increased in size through adoption of various Acts from five (1951) to fifteen (1987). The daily operation and management of TTD is the responsibility of Executive Officer (EO) who is appointed by the AP government.

Prasadam

Laddu is the most famous prasadam given at Tirumala Temple. Many other delicious prasadams are also available like curd rice, tamarind rice, vada, dosa, sweet pongal etc. Free meals are given daily to the pilgrims, and on Thursdays, Tirupavadai seva occurs, where food items are kept for neivedya to Lord Srinivasa.