Saturday, January 5, 2019

Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Govindaraja Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, situated at the heart of the Tirupati city in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh state in India. The temple was built during 12th Century AD and was consecrated in the year 1130 AD by Saint Ramanujacharya. Presiding Deity is called as Govindaraja and Mother is called as Pundarikavalli. Govindaraja is considered as the elder brother of Lord Venkateswara. The temple is one of the earliest structures in Tirupati and also one of the biggest temple complex in Chittoor district. The Tirupati (downhill) city is built around this temple. The temple is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.



Legends
Ramanuja’s vision of Lord Govindaraja:
One day, Sri Ramanujacharya had a vision of Lord Govindaraja Swamy in his dream. He was advised by the Lord to make arrangements for him to reside in Tirupati. Sri Ramanujacharya, by then was aware of Sri Govindaraja Swamy’s stay at Tirupati during Muslim invasion. He, with the help of the king visited the place he saw in his dream. To their astonishment, they found the Idol of Lord Govindaraja Swamy in that place. Sri Ramanujacharya advised the king to construct a temple for the Lord and houses for the people, who perform Kainkaryam in the Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple.
Elder brother of Tirumala Venkateshwara:
Sri Govindaraja Swamy is the elder brother of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, who accomplished the ever-magnificent marriage between Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Padmavathi. Sri Govindaraja Swamy was the caretaker of massive wealth being obtained from king Kubera for conducting the wedding. He efficiently utilized this wealth to conduct one of the most glorious weddings of the history. Hence Sri Govindaraja Swamy is considered to be the god who helps you to elevate your wealth and manage the wealth acquired efficiently.
History
The temple was built during 12th Century AD and was consecrated in the year 1130 AD by Saint Ramanujacharya. However, there are structures inside the temple complex which belong to 9th and 10th centuries. Before consecrating Govindaraja Swamy as presiding deity, Sri Parthasarathy Swamy was the presiding deity of the temple. Kotturu, a village at the foot of Tirumala hills was shifted to the vicinity of Govindaraja Swamy Temple which was later emerged into city of Tirupati.


According to the history of Govindaraja Swamy Temple, a large number of inscriptions found in this temple and in the Sri Venkateswara Temple. The earliest of the records belong to the year 1235 A.D when the Chola King, Raja Raja III was ruling the place. In the year 1239 A.D the queen of Vira Narasinga of Yadavaraya made a gift for decoration of the chariot and carrying necessary repairs.


The temple came in for greater importance in 1506 A.D. during the rule of Saluva dynasty of Vijayanagar and from then onwards different rulers in a different way developed the temple. Nayakas, the successors to the Vijayanagar Empire built it. When South India was invaded by Muslim rulers, the presiding deity of Chidambaram, Govindaraja Swamy was brought and kept safely in Tirupati. After the situation at Chidambaram returned to normalcy, the Utsava Idol of Lord Govindaraja Swamy was taken back to Chidambaram from Tirupati.


The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Pooja Timings
Timings
From
To
Open
5:30 am
9:30 pm
Viswarupa Sarva darshan
5:30 am
6:30 am
Archanantharam darshanam
8:00 am
to 8:45 am
Sarvadarsanam
1:15 pm
4:45 pm
 Sarvadarsanam
6:00 pm
8:00 pm
Festivals
Vaisakha Festival (Annual Brahmotsavam), Float Festival, Adhyanotsavam, Thiruvadipuram, Godaparinayam, Sri Salai Nachiyar Panguni Uttiram Festival, Radha Sapthami, Jyestabhishekam, Anivara Asthanam, Neeratotsavam, Buggotsavam, Pavitrotsavam and Pushpavanam (Introduced in 2014) are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare. In addition to the above, Pariveta Utsavam and Ponna Kalva Utsavams are also being conducted every year. Further, Pournami Garudaseva is conducted on the Pournami day of every month for the convenience of the devotees, who fulfill their vows to Lord Sri Govindaraja Swamy during processions. Besides this, each Alwar Saathumurai and Thirunakhsatrams are conducted for 10 days in each of the 12 Alwar Temples.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 300 meters from Krishnapuram Tanna Bus Stop, 600 meters from Tirupati Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Tirupati Central Bus Station, 11 Kms from Renigunta Railway Junction, 17 Kms from Tirupati Airport, 70 Kms from Chittoor, 134 Kms from Chennai and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The city is well connected to major cities through national and state highwaysAPSRTC is the state-owned service, which operates buses to various destinations from Tirupati bus station complex. Tirupati is in close proximity with the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Hence, buses from KSRTCTNSTC and SETC also operates their services. There is also private transport which operate in the city.
Location

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