Dr.Kumar PVHN Annavarapu who is a renowned and prolific long
standing Editor, journalist, author, research scholar and a
sought-after speaker, and his wife Rajeswari Annavarapu have
co-authored an awe-inspiring album on India’s most reputed and
richest iconic Vedic Temple in the hill town of Tiumala near
Tirupati in Chitoor District in Andhra Pradesh.
In the above album with an illuminating historical perspective
and meticulous attention to details, humble and self-effacing
scholar-couple has given a wealth of interesting information
which makes this album a worthy acquisition for devotees, Hindu
and non-Hindu pilgrims and tourists to help them learn and
appreciate this glittering gem among India’s many temples.
Tirupati was built by Tundaman. Later extensions were made by
Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and the Vijayanagar dynasty. The
presiding deity of the temple is Lord Venkateswara, an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple has its origins in
Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of
equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice. It has
acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore.About 75,000
pilgrims visit the Temple daily and more than 500.000 on special
occasions and annual Brahmotsava..
The administration of Tirumala temple is entrusted to a Board of
Trustees and an Executive Officer, under a 1987 Act by the
Andhra Pradesh Govt.
Tirumala hills are nestled in the verdant Eastern Ghats. It
comprises seven peaks-Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri,
Vrushabadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. Tirupati Temple is on
the seventh peak Venkatadri, on the southern bank of Sri Swami
Pushkarini, a holy water tank. The temple can be approached from
the town of Tirupati by a ghat road. On the way to the top of
the hills pilgrims can enjoy the heartwarming scenic beauty of
greenery and cascading waterfalls. The majestic archway called
Alipiri Gate is the gateway to the green hills. The entrance for
darshan is through the Vaikuntam Queue Complex-a series of
inter-connected halls that leads to the main temple.
The exquisite deity called Mulaberam rests beneath the Ananda
Nilaya Divya Vimana.
From the Tirumamani mandapam one can enter the Bangaru Vakili to
reach the inner sanctum sanctorum. Two tall copper idols of the
dwarpalakas Jaya and Vijaya are at the entrance. The doorway is
directly in line with the Padi Kavali and the Vendi Vakili. It
admits devotees to the Snapana Mandapam. The authors have
described the exquisite ornaments of Lord Venkateswara.
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Dr.Kumar Annavarapu,and Rajeswari
Annavarapu and children. |
Inside the Temple: The main stone deity of Lord Venkateswara is
called Dhruva Beram. Kautuka Beram is a tiny silver deity placed
near the left foot of Lord Venkateswara. Snapana Beram idol
represents the anger part of the Lord Venkateswara. Snapana
means cleansing. The idol is cleansed daily with holy
waters.Utsava Beram: This deity is called Malayappa. And his
divine consorts are Bhudevi and Sridevi.They come out during
popular festival processions. Bali Beram: This represents the
main deity. It is the Presiding officer for all activities and
rituals in the temple.
Sampangi Pradakshinam: The path for circumnavigating the temple
is called a pradakshinam. The main temple has three
prakarams.The Sampangi Pradakshinam contains several mandapams
like Aina Mahal and Dhvajastambha Mandapam.
The Aina Mahal has large mirrors, with an unjal (Swing) in the
middle of the room in which the Lord is seated during festivals.
The most famous annual festival is called
‘Brahmotsavam’celebrated on a grand scale for nine days in
September. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are
especially significant in as much as Garudotstavam and
Rathostavam take place on those days.
Garudotsavam: Garuda is the king of birds and is Lord’s mount.
At the commencement of the annual Brahmotsavam, a flag with the
image of Garuda is hoisted on the Dhwajastambha.The authors have
given an elaborate and engrossing description of the Brahmotsava
festival with the daily rituals over nine days, and followed it
up with information on the three temples and Teerthams.
Prasadam: Recently the TTD has taken copyright of world famous
prasadam of laddu given at Tirumala temple. Thousands of
pilgrims are served with free meals of fresh food cooked in POTU
(Main kitchen) and PadiPotu. Rice is cooked in Potu whereas curd
rice, tamarind rice, vada, appam, paayasam, dosa etc. are
prepared in PadiPotu. Food items are also used for Naivedyam to
the Lord.
Head Tonsuring: Many devotees have their heads tonsured as an
offering. The hair is sold to international buyers at periodic
public auctions.
The album has slokas with their meanings in English. This
edifying album has pages and pages of breathtaking pictures of
the architectural grandeur of the Temple; the surrounding
scenery;’sila thoranam’;natural Garuda’;Garbha
Gruham;resplendent idols of the Lord,with Sridevi and Bhudevi
embellished with ornaments; the vimanam; spacious courtyards;
illuminated colorful fountains and dazzling gopurams;awesome
Unjal Seva;circumambulatory processions,etc. The pictures are a
feast for the eyes.
The album will undoubtedly give the readers a deeper
appreciation of this sacred Temple. It will be a treasure to
have and cherish.
This album is now available in America. It was designed
differently in the
form of a gift box. It is now available only for 51 dollars in
America.
Humble and self-effacing, 45 year old Dr.Kumar has an enviable
and blazing academic and professional track record- an
M.A.(History);M.A.(Sociology);M.Philosophy;Ph.D in
Journalism,BL(Law).,and P.G.Diploma in Public Relations.
Multi-linguist Dr.Kumar is fluent in English, Hindi,Telugu and
Sanskrit and has travelled widely to all the countries of
European Union ,Singapore, Malaysia, and parts of USA; and is
the recipient of prestigious Awards and Honors.
Rajeswari Annavarapu, M.A. has played a crucial role in
preparation of these albums by sharing her passions and talents.
She has helped in editing,researching and collating all the
material for these outstanding albums.
The authors are ardent devotees of Lord Shirdi Sai Baba. In
October 2010,they co-authored a lavish 19x13” life-sized 206
pages including 270 invaluable photos album SHIRDI SAI. This
album is also available for fifty one dollars in America.
For copies of TIRUMALA TIRUPATI Album and SHIRDI SAI Album
please contact :
DR.KUMAR ANNAVARAPU
10055 JONES BRIDGE ROAD,#APT;1409
JOHNS CREEK,GA 30022
kumarannavarapu@ymail.com . Phone: U.S.678-64077682 and India
040-23445566
“Venkatadri Samam Sthanam Brahmande Nasti Kinchana, Venkatesa
Samo Devo Na Bhutho Na Bhavishyati”. There is no other holy
place in this universe that could be placed on par with
Venkatadri. No other god, either in the past or in the future,
can be equated with Lord Venkateswara.
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