Page 684 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

682  SOUTH INDIA

sheds vanity as well. This
offering is usually made
after the fulfilment of a wish.
The hair-offerings are later
exported to the United States
and Japan where they are
made into wigs.
Most pilgrims stop at the
small Ganesha shrine in the
foothills, and at the Govinda­
rajaswamy Temple in Tirupati
town, before driving up the
hill to the Tirumala shrine.
Tirupati, with the gold-gilded vimana of the temple This temple, which dates
to the 16th–17th century,
i Tirupati in the world. He is flanked is dedicated to both Krishna
by his consorts, Sridevi and and Vishnu. Built by the
Chittoor district. 558 km (347 miles) S
of Hyderabad. * 228,202. ~ 12 km Bhudevi. The entrance portico Nayakas, the successors to
(7 miles) S of the city centre, then taxi. has superb life-size images the Vijayanagar rulers, it is
£ @ n Andhra Pradesh Tourism, of the Vijayanagara king and approached through a
Sridevi Complex (0877) 228 9120. queens (see pp534–7), who massive, grey outer gopura
_ Brahmotsavam (Sep/Oct). worshipped Venkateshvara that dominates Tirupati’s
as their protective deity. skyline, and is carved with
The most popular destination The entire complex is built scenes from the Ramayana
for Hindu pilgrims in India, to accommodate the huge (see p31). An exquisite pavilion
Tirupati is the site of the influx of pilgrims, who come in the inner courtyard has
Shri Venkateshvara Temple, to seek favours from Lord carved granite pillars, an ornate
situated in the Tirumala Hills, Venkateshvara. This is one of wooden roof, and impressive
700 m (2,297 ft) above the the few temples in South sculptures of crouching lions.
town. The seven “sacred India where non- The temple has a magnificent
hills” of Tirumala are Hindus are allowed image of the reclining Vishnu,
believed to symbolize into the inner called Ranganatha, coated
the seven-headed sanctum. Devotees with bronze armour. A short
serpent god Adisesha, wait patiently in long distance north of the temple
on whose coils Vishnu queues for a special is the Venkateshvara Museum
sleeps. The temple darshan, and make of Temple Arts, with temple
dates to the 9th offerings of money, models, photographs and
century, although gold and jewellery ritual objects.
it has been expanded that net the temple
and renovated an annual income  Shri Venkateshvara Temple
numerous times Lord Venkateshvara, the of nearly 1.5 billion Open daily. Darshan: 6–11am. Extra
from the 15th presiding deity at Tirupati rupees. The charges to join the shorter queue
century onwards. Tirumala Tirupati for special darshan of the deity.
The aura that surrounds Lord Deva sthanam (TTD), which
Venkateshvara (a form of Lord runs the temple, employs a
Vishnu, who is also known as staff of 6,000 to see to the
Balaji) as the “Bestower of pilgrims’ needs and maintain
Boons” has made his temple the temple premises.
the most visited and the richest The temple complex includes
in India. It eclipses Jerusalem a ritual bathing tank, and a
and Rome in the number of small Art Museum with images
pilgrims it attracts – around of deities, musical instruments
25,000 a day, and up to 100,000 and votive objects. Surrounding
on festival days. The gold vimana it are green valleys and the
and flagpole, and the gold- Akash Ganga waterfall, which
plated doorway into the inner is the source of the holy water
sanctum, proclaim the temple’s used for bathing the deity.
wealth. The jet-black stone A unique feature at Tirupati
image, 2-m (7-ft) high, stands is that many devotees offer
on a lotus and is adorned with their hair to the deity, and there
rubies, diamonds and gold. The are separate enclosures for
deity also wears a diamond this purpose. It is believed that
crown, believed to be the since hair enhances a person’s Main gateway to the Govindarajaswamy
single most precious ornament appearance, shaving it off Temple, Tirupati
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p703 and p719

682-683_EW_India.indd 682 26/04/17 11:50 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm