Tirupati Balaji Temple: Here Are Some Interesting Facts About The Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple

Tirupati Balaji Temple, also known as the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a temple located in Andhra Pradesh. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara who is believed to be a form of Lord Vishnu. Tirumala Tirupati Devastham (TTD) is one of the most revered temples in the country. The Tirumala Tirupati temple is the world’s richest Hindu temple with a declared net worth of over ₹2.5 lakh crore (about USD 30 billion).

Here, take a look at some of the interesting facts about the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. The Self-Manifested IdolThe main idol of Lord Venkateswara is believed to be self-manifested (Swayambhu). This means it wasn’t crafted by human hands. Devotees believe the idol appeared by itself, which makes it sacred. Richest Temple in the WorldThe Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is the wealthiest temple in terms of donations received and assets. Devotees offer money, gold and jewellery, thereby, adding to the temple’s immense wealth which is used for charitable and religious activities. The deposits consist of 10.3 tonnes of gold deposits in nationalised banks and a cash deposit of ₹15,938 crores. Hair DonationIt is believed that Lord Venkateswara’s idol in the temple has real hair which is smooth and tangle-free. According to legend, a celestial being donates hair to the Lord every day, maintaining the deity’s eternal youth and beauty. Largest Human CongregationThe temple sees one of the largest gatherings of devotees in the world, with an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people visiting daily. During special festivals, the numbers can surge to over half a million, making it one of the most visited religious sites globally. Chanting of ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya’In the sanctum sanctorum, the chant “Om Namo Venkatesaya” is continuously recited which creates a spiritual atmosphere. It is believed that the chanting started centuries ago and has been ongoing without interruption, adding to the sanctity of the temple. Unexplained Mysteries of the IdolThe idol of Lord Venkateswara always feels mysteriously warm as if a living being is present. Also, the priests claim that they can hear ocean waves when they place an ear close to the idol, despite the temple being located far from the sea.