SRI GOVINDARAJASWAMI TEMPLE

Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple is one the most important and ancient temples located in the heart of the temple city - Tirupati. Renowned Sri Vaishnavaite, Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated this temple in 1130 AD. Before Lord Sri Govindaraja Swamy, Sri Parthasarathi Swamy was the presiding deity of this temple.

The daily rituals in this temple are performed according to “Vaikhanasa Agama”. The rituals, festivals and functions in this temple are conducted in line with the rituals performed at Srivari Temple, Tirumala.

Generally, the temple is opened daily by 5 AM with Suprabhata Seva and closed by 9 PM with Ekantha Seva. The following are the sub-temples situated in the premises of this temple.

01. Sri Partha Sarathi Swamy Temple.
02 Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
03 Sri Choodikudutha Nachiyar Ammavari Temple(SriAndal)
04. Sri Salai Nachiyar Ammavari Temple(Sri Pundarikavalli Temple)
05. Sri Bhasyakarla vari Temple
06. Sri Anajaneya swamy Temple near(opposite) Dwajasthambham
07. Sri Thirumangai Alwar Temple
08. Sri Kurath Alwar Temple
09. Sri Madhurakavi and Ananda Alwar Temple
10. Sri Chakrathalwar Temple
11. Sri Mudal Alwar Temple
12. Sri Manavala Mahamuni Temple
13. Sri Vedantha Desikar Temple
14. Sri Anjaneya Swamy Vari Temple
15. Sri Nammalwar Temple
16. Sri Sanjeevaraya swamy Temple( Mattam Anjaneya Swamy Temple)
17. Sri Tirumala Nambi Sannidhi
18. Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple, G.S. Mada Street, Tirupati(taken over temple)

When South India was invaded by Muslim rulers, the presiding deity of Chidambaram, Sri Govindaraja Swamy was brought and kept safely in Tirupati. After the situation at Chidambaram returned to normalcy, the vigraham of Lord Sri Govindaraja Swamy was taken back to Chidambaram from Tirupati.

One day, Sri Ramanujacharya had a vision of Lord Govindaraja Swamy in his dream. He was advised by the Lord to make arrangements for Him to reside in Tirupati. Sri Ramanujacharya, by then was aware of Sri Govindaraja Swamy’s stay at Tirupati during Muslim invasion. He, with the help of the king visited the place he saw in his dream. To their astonishment, they found the vigraham of Lord Govindaraja Swamy in that place.

Sri Ramanujacharya advised the king to construct a temple for the Lord and houses for the people, who perform kainkaryam in the Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple.

Sri Govindaraja Swamy is the elder brother of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, who accomplished the ever-magnificent marriage between Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Padmavathi Ammavaru. Sri Govindaraja Swamy was the caretaker of massive wealth being obtained from king Kubera for conducting the wedding. He efficiently utilised this wealth to conduct one of the most glorious weddings of the history.

Hence Sri Govindaraja Swamy is considered to be the god who helps you to elevate your wealth and manage the wealth acquired efficiently.

This temple is a remarkable achievement of the ancient south Indian architecture. It's tall and remarkable seven storied outer Gopuram with 11 kalasas was dated back to 14-15th century. This temple is one of the huge temples in Chittoor district. This Gopuram is enriched with the handwork depicting the scenes from Baghavata, Ramayana and Lord Sri Venketeswara swamy's life.

The tall primary Gopuram is followed by a smaller but no less remarkable inner Gopuram. The inner Gopuram holds a decorative courtyard with a spacious inner stone hall, which protects the devotee's even during the busy festival times.

The following are the important festivals that are being conducted in Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Tirupati:
a) Vaisakha Festival (Annual Brahmotsavam )
b) Float Festival
c) Adhyanotsavam
d) Thiruvadipuram
e) Godaparinayam
f) Sri Salai Nachiyar Panguni Uttiram Festival
g) Radhasapthami
h) Jyestabhishekam
i) Anivara Asthanam
j) Neeratotsavam
k) Buggotsavam
l) Pavithrosthavam
m) Pushpayagam ( Introduced in 2014 )

In addition to the above, Parveta Utsavam and Ponna Kalva utsavams are also being conducted every year. Further, Pournami Garudaseva is conducted on the Pournami day of every month for the convenience of the devotees, who fulfill their vows to Lord Sri Govindarja Swamy during processions.

Besides this, each Alwar Sathumorai and Thirunakshatram are conducted for 10 days in each of the 12 Alwar Temples.

1. Suprabhatam 5-00 to 5-30 AM Rs. 10/- per head
2. Thomala Seva 6-30 to 7-00 AM Rs.10/- per head
3. Sahasranamarchana 7-30 to 8-00 AM Rs.10/- per head
4. Archanananthara Darsanam 8-00 to 8-30 AM Rs.10/- per head
5. Ekanthaseva 9-00 PM Rs.10/- per head
6. Spl. Entrance Rs. 5/- per head
7. Quick Dharshan Rs 20/- per head

SRIVARI PADALA MANDAPAM, ALIPIRI

The Srivari Padalamandapam temple located at Alipiri-the Gate Way to Tirumala temple, is under administrative control of Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple.

The unique feature of this temple is that, the pilgrims who trek from Alipiri footpath route, first offer prayers in this ancient temple. Pilgrims carry the holy “Padukalu”- Footwear, which is believed to be worn by Lord Himself over their head. And offer prayers to the presiding deity of Padala Venkateswara Swamy.

The temple legend says that Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, every day after Ekanta Seva in Tirumala, meets His beloved Consort Goddess Padmavathi Devi in Tiruchanoor, trekking down this Alipiri footpath route and leaves His footwear at Alipiri Padalu, hence the name Alipiri Padala Mandapam.

1. Suprabhatham – 5.00 AM to 5.30 AM
2. Padala Seva - 5.30 AM to 7.30 PM - Rs. 5.00 per head
3. Ekantha Seva - 7.30 PM to 8.00 PM - Rs.10.00 per head
4. Abhisekam - 9.30 AM to 12.00 PM - Rs.20.00 per head
(only on Friday)

SRI LAKSHMI NARAYANA SWAMY TEMPLE

This is a sub-temple of Srivari Padalamandapam situated in the eastern side of the Padalamandapam. This temple was renovated and samprokshana was conducted on 30th of January 2005. Two sub-temples namely, Andal and Pariyalwar Temples are attached to this temple.

1. Archana / Harathi - 5.30 AM to 7.30PM – Rs. 5.00 per head
2. Abhisekam(Only on Saturday)- 10.30 AM to 12.00PM – Rs. 20.00 per head
3. Abhiseka Ananthara Dharsan- 12.00 PM to 12.30 PM- Rs.5.00 per head
4. Ekantha Seva - 7.30 PM to 8.00 PM – Rs.10.00 per head

SRI VINAYAKA SWAMY TEMPLE, 2nd GHAT ROAD

This is also a sub-temple of Srivari Padalamandapam, Alipiri. And pilgirms who reach Tirumala by road, offer prayers to this “Ghat Road Vinayaka Swamy” seeking His divine blessings for a safe and pleasant journey.

1. Archana Harathi - 5.30 AM to 7.00 PM – Rs. 5.00 per head
2. Two wheeler Vahana Seva - 6.00 AM to 7.00 PM – Rs. 25.00 per one
3. Four wheller Vahana Seva - 6.00 AM to 7.00 PM – Rs. 50.00 per one

SRI KAPILESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE

According to mythology, this temple derived its name from Maharshi Kapila, who immersed himself in ardent penance of Lord Shiva. With the unswerving devotion of Kapila Muni, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati presented themselves at this location and blessed him.

The Shiva Linga is considered to be self-manifested or Svayambhu form of Lord Shiva and is popularly known as “Sri Kapileswara Swamy”.

In front of Kapila Lingam lies a very sacred Sarovara (lake) and this is the Bilam (cavity) through which Kapila Maharshi came to earth. A spring falls on the temple. Both the temple and the waterfall are considered to be highly pious.

The Pallava kings, Vijayanagara kings, Tirumala Mahants and so many others developed this historically and sacred temple.

Greatness of Lord Sri Kapileswara was mentioned in the Kulothunga Chola inscriptions. These are the most ancient inscriptions among all the inscriptions found in the temple and belong to the 10th century.

On the auspicious occasion of full moon day of the Karthika month, all the teerthas( holy water springs) of the three worlds of heaven, earth and underworld converge in this sacred Kapila Teertham.

SRI KODANDA RAMASWAMY TEMPLE

Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple is one of the local temples situated in heart of Tirupati city and one of the important sub-shrines under the control of TTD. The Idols of Lord Sri Kodandarama Swamy varu, Goddess Sita Ammavaru and Sri Lakshmana Swamy varu were installed during the regime of Chola Emperor. It is an ancient and historic temple. Kainkaryams are being rendered in this temple as per Vaikhanasa Agama.

This temple which has a glorious history of over one thousand years was built by the Chola kings in 10th century A.D. This temple was well developed by various kings especially by Sri Krishna Deva Raya in 15h century.

The symbols and raja mudrikas of Vijaya Nagara dynasty can be seen on the rock walls of the outer mandapas. There is an Anjaneya swamy temple located just opposite to the temple.