Abode of Lord Venkateswara, Tirupati.
Tirumala, a place where the god of this epoch, Sri Venkateswara Swamy, Balaji, or Edukondalavadu, resides in stone form, was positioned above Tirupati, a city in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh near Chennai. The city became a great Vaishnava center during the time of Ramanujacharya in the 11th century, from which Vishistadvaitvam' spread to other parts of Andhra Pradesh. For most of the medieval era, the temple town was part of the Vijayanagara Empire (Karnataka) until the 17th century, and its rulers contributed considerable resources and wealth, notable among Sri Krishna Deva Raya. Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya sang many songs in praise of the holy town in Telugu. Tirumula was saved from demolition by Muslim rulers while accepting to pay Jijiya Tax.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was handed over to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams through the TTD Act of 1932. TTD board members will be appointed by the Andhra Pradesh state government to oversee the maintenance and developmental activities of Tirupati. Seven Hills, part of Seshachalam Forest, is the birthplace of unique species of trees and animals that can’t be seen anywhere on earth, such as red sandal wood trees and golden lizards. Rock formations in Tirupati in the shape of conch and wheels are said to have existed for 5 lakh years, as certified by Australian geologists.
Festivals are celebrated with pomp.
Srivari Brahmotsavam is a nine-day event, celebrated during the months of September–October, witnessed by lakhs of devotees as they feel that watching Brahmotsavams must be done at least once in a lifetime. Lord Venkateswara was to be toured in the streets in those days by selecting one vehicle per day, such as Garuda, Surya, Chandra, Aswa, and others. Ganga Jatara is held during the second week of May every year. Laddu, which is given to pilgrims as consecrated food, is a world-famous sacred sweet and has a patent for this.