Sri Venkateshwara

Also Balaji, Srinivasa, Govinda. The Lord of the Seven Hills.

A form of Vishnu, taken at Tirumala for the duration of Kali Yuga. Standing posture, four-armed, the chakra and shankha in the upper hands, the lower hands in the gestures of granting boons and of marking the level beyond which devotees need not bow.

Iconography

The form is severe and beautiful. The right hand in varada mudra grants boons. The left hand at the waist, the katya-vilamba, signals that the ocean of samsara reaches only this far for those who have taken refuge. The upper right hand holds the Sudarshana chakra. The upper left holds the Panchajanya shankha. The deity wears a forehead namam (the Sri Vaishnava mark), and on Fridays the form is decorated as Mohini, the female form Vishnu took to deliver the amrita to the devas.

Mythology

The major sources are the Varaha Purana, the Bhavishyottara Purana, the Vamana Purana, and the Skanda Purana, with the Venkatachala Mahatmya as the local sthala compilation. The most often told story is of Vishnu's marriage to Padmavati at Tiruchanur, the debt taken from Kubera, and the standing watch of the Lord at Tirumala through the age of Kali. Another important story is the descent of the Lord at the request of Sage Bhrigu, after the sage struck Vishnu on the chest at Vaikunta in a test of forbearance.

Regional traditions

In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Venkateshwara is widely the kuladevata. Telugu families often visit Tirumala for namakaranam, for the first tonsure of a child (mottai), for the first birthday, and on the occasion of every major life inflection. Tamil families, particularly those of Iyengar lineage, hold Tirumala as central to the Sri Vaishnava tradition and visit on Vaikunta Ekadasi and Brahmotsavam.

In Karnataka, the Lord is often called Tirupati Timmappa, and the regional Madhva tradition (following Sri Madhvacharya) holds the deity in particular reverence.

In the broader pan-Hindu context, Venkateshwara is invoked by families across India for prosperity, for the resolution of difficulties, and for the fulfilment of vows.

Life-event associations

•
Namakaranam: the naming ceremony, often performed at Tirumala for children of devotee families
•
Tonsure: the first tonsure of a child is often offered to the Lord at Tirumala
•
Marriage: the Kalyanotsavam at Tirumala is sponsored before a wedding by many families
•
House purchase or housewarming: a visit to Tirumala or sponsorship of archana is common
•
Resolution of difficulty: the Lord is invoked when a long-pending matter is to be resolved

Mantras and prayers

Venkateshwara Suprabhatam

Kausalya supraja Rama, purva sandhya pravartate;

Uttishtha narashardula, kartavyam daivam ahnikam.

O Rama, fortunate son of Kausalya, the eastern dawn is breaking. Arise, lion among men. The duties of the day await.

The dawn-awakening hymn, composed by Sri Prativadi Bhayankaram Annangaracharya, sung at the temple before dawn each day.

Venkateshwara Stotram

The hymn of praise, recited daily by many households. A short hymn of twelve verses praising the Lord at Tirumala. Devotees often recite the first verse alone as a daily practice.

Festivals

•
Brahmotsavam (October, lunar): the nine-day festival at Tirumala
•
Vaikunta Ekadasi (December or January, lunar)
•
Rathasaptami (February, lunar)

Major temples

•
Tirumala (the principal abode)
•
Tiruchanur (Padmavati, the Lord's consort)
•
Dwaraka Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh
•
Pillalamarri Venkateshwara in Telangana
•
Govindaraja Perumal at Tirupati town, the reclining form of the Lord

Sampradaya notes

The Sri Vaishnava sampradaya (Vadakalai and Tenkalai) holds Venkateshwara as central among the Divya Desam deities. The Madhva sampradaya holds the deity in particular reverence, with Acharya Madhva himself having spent significant time at Tirumala. The Smartha tradition includes Venkateshwara in the worship of Vishnu as one of the six principal deities of the pancayatana puja.