The Sri Varahaswamy Temple, also called Bhu Varahaswamy Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Varaha, situated at hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati, located in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh state, India. The temple is situated on the northern premises of Venkateshvara Temple, Tirumala, on the north-west corner of Swami Pushkarini.[1][2] This temple is believed to be older than the Venkateshvara shrine.[3]
| Varahaswamy Temple, Tirumala | |
|---|---|
 View of Swami Pushkarni and Sri Bhu Varahaswami Temple (right corner), Tirumala | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Tirupati district |
| Deity | Varaha (Vishnu) and Bhudevi |
| Festivals | Varaha Jayanti, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, |
| Governing body | Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams |
| Location | |
| Location | Tirupati |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Country | India |
.svg)  Location in Andhra Pradesh | |
| Geographic coordinates | 13°41′05.6″N 79°20′51.9″E / 13.684889°N 79.347750°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | 1 |
| Elevation | 853 m (2,799 ft) |
| Website | |
| www | |
Religious significance
editAs per local Hindu legend, after saving the earth from the asura Hiranyaksha, Vishnu's boar avatar Varaha stayed on this hill on the northern bank of Swami Pushkarini. Hence Tirumala Hills is also referred to as Adi Varaha Kshetra.[2] In the beginning of the present Yuga Kali Yuga, Varaha donated land to another form of Vishnu - Venkateshvara on his request. As a gratitude, Venkateshvara offered the right of first bell, puja and naivedyam (food offering) to Varaha before they were offered to him. This is being followed as a tradition even today.[4]
Devotees are prescribed to have darshana ("sight") of Varaha before Venkateshvara. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Tirumala will not be complete without having a darshana of Varaha.[4][1]
History
editThe temple was renovated by Pedda Tirumalacharya in the year 1535 CE.[5]
Administration
editThe temple is part of Tirumala Venkateshvara Temple and is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Architecture
editThe rock temple is situated in the Northern bank of Swami Pushkarini and is accessed from North Mada street of Venkateshvara Temple.[1][2]
Ritual practices
editDaily rituals are held as per the Vaikhanasa Agama. The Chakrasnanam event during annual brahmotsavams, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and Rathasaptami, are held in the mukha mandapa of Varahaswamy Temple.[6] Varaha Jayanti is also celebrated.[1][2]
See also
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Tirumala Brahmotsavams conclude with 'Chakrasnanam'". The Times of India. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ a b c d "'Varaha jayanti' today". The Hindu. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ Balaji-Venkateshwara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer, and Simons. 2003. ISBN 9788187111467.
- ^ a b Flueckiger, Joyce Burkhalter (1 January 2015). Everyday Hinduism. p. 114. ISBN 97-8140-516-0216.
- ^ Rao, V. Kameswara (1986). Temples in and Around Tirupati. V. Jayalakshmamma. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ "Tirumala Brahmotsavams conclude with 'Chakrasnanam'". The Hindu. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.