Tirumala Venkateswara · तिरुमल वेङ्कटेश्वर

Tradition says Vishnu came to the Seven Hills in Kali Yuga as Venkateswara; inscriptions record royal gifts from Pallava and Chola times, and Vijayanagara kings were great patrons.

[Traditional account]

In the Venkatachala Mahatmya, Vishnu leaves Vaikuntha in search of Lakshmi and settles on the Venkata hill, marrying Padmavati with wealth borrowed from Kubera — the debt devotees help him repay with their offerings.

[Archaeological evidence]

Hundreds of inscriptions survive on the temple walls, from about the 9th century onward. Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara visited several times in the early 16th century; his statue stands in the temple. Today Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) runs the shrine.

• Worship

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• Venkatachala Mahatmya
• TTD epigraphical series