Varahaswamy Temple

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Varahaswamy Temple, Tirumala
View of Swami Pushkarni of Tirumala at Daytime.jpg
View of Swami Pushkarni and Sri Bhu Varahaswami Temple (right corner), Tirumala
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Tirupati district
Deity Varaha (Vishnu) and Bhudevi
FestivalsVaraha Jayanti, Vaikuntha Ekadashi,
Governing body Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Location
Location Tirupati
State Andhra Pradesh
Country India
India Andhra Pradesh location map (current).svg
Om symbol.svg
Location in Andhra Pradesh
Geographic coordinates 13°41′05.6″N79°20′51.9″E / 13.684889°N 79.347750°E / 13.684889; 79.347750
Architecture
Type Dravidian architecture
Specifications
Temple(s)1
Elevation853 m (2,799 ft)
Website
www.tirumala.org

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]

Contents

Religious significance

As 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

The temple was renovated by Pedda Tirumalacharya in the year 1535 CE. [5]

Administration

The temple is part of Tirumala Venkateshvara Temple and is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Architecture

The 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

Daily 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

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Tirumala Brahmotsavams conclude with 'Chakrasnanam'". The Times of India. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "'Varaha jayanti' today". The Hindu. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  3. Balaji-Venkateshwara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer, and Simons. 2003. ISBN   9788187111467.
  4. 1 2 Flueckiger, Joyce Burkhalter (1 January 2015). Everyday Hinduism. p. 114. ISBN   97-8140-516-0216.
  5. Rao, V. Kameswara (1986). Temples in and Around Tirupati. V. Jayalakshmamma. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  6. "Tirumala Brahmotsavams conclude with 'Chakrasnanam'". The Hindu. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.