• It is also known as the Tirupati Balaji Temple
• It is situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu.
• The renowned sweet, Tirupati Laddu, prasad given at the temple has the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• A popular practice in the temple is the donation of hair and various riches in order to please the god.
• History
  • The temple's origins date back to the Pallava dynasty in the 9th century.
  • The Chola dynasty further developed and supported the temple.
  • The Vijayanagara Empire made significant contributions, reinforcing its religious importance in South India.
  • In the 12^th century, saint Ramanuja revitalized the temple and its rituals.
• Architecture
  • The temple is built in Dravidian architecture, with construction beginning around 300 AD.
  • It has three entrances to the sanctum, the first called Mahadwaram.
  • Two circumambulation (parikrama) paths surround the temple.
  • The main shrine features a gold-plated tower, Ananda Nilayam, housing the main deity.
  • The temple’s courtyards, pillars, and halls are beautifully adorned with intricate sculptures reflecting Hindu spirituality.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam