Temples in Tirupati
Govindaraja Temple
In this temple there are two main shrines. In the northern shrine is Sri Govindaraja, who is Lord Vishnu lying no Ananta. He is considered to be Lord Venkateswara's brother. The other main shrine has Deities of Sri Parthasarathi (Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna), Rukmini, and Satyabhama (Krishna's wives).
Parts of the inner shrine date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. The original temple had Sri Parthasarathi on the main altar. The Sri Govindaraja Deity was added around 1130 by Sri Ramanuja.
To your left as you enter the first gopuram (gate) of the temple is a temple dedicated to Laksmi (also called Salainachiyar or Pundarikavalli). She is seated on a lotus in her four-armed form, holding a lotus in each of her upper hands, while her other two hands are in poses of abhaya, fearlessness, and varada, benediction. Situated above the door of this temple there is a carving of Laksmi holding a lotus in her hand.
Near the first gopuram there is a shrine dedicated to Vedanta Desika. There is also a memorial for three of the AIwar devotees-Tirumallisai Alwar, Namm AIwar, and Kurattalwar-near the Vahana-mandapa, and another nearby shrine is dedicated to Sri Ramanuja. On the left of the second entrance is a Kurma Deity, Lord Vishnu as a tortoise.
This is a big temple. It has a seven story gopuram, built in 1628. There are carvings depicting the Ramayana and Lord Krishna's pastimes on the second gopuram. This temple is located just off the main road, near the Bhima Hotel and the Tirupati train station. The temple tower is hard to miss, but the rest of the temple is set back from the road.
Kothanda Rama Swami Temple
About two km from Sri Govindaraja temple is the famous Kothanda Rama Swami temple built in 1480-1481. Lord Caitanya had darsana of Lord Sri Ramac0andra Swami. The main festival of the year is in March-April, for Lord Rama's appearance day.
ISKCON (Hare Krishna) Temple
The ISKCON temple, Vinayaka Nagar (Driver's Quarters), is located at the foot of Tirumala Hill, on a piece of land given by the TTD. The Deities here are Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. The temple has a beautiful small garden with many different types of flowers and attractive plants. Even though the temple seems to be in the middle of nowhere, there are many regular visitors during the day. This temple included in the daily bus tours of Tirupati.
There is a good guest house next to the temple, mainly for life members of ISKCON and devotees. It has very nice clean rooms with hot water. It is best to book a room in advance. Prasadam is usually available during main meal times. From the downtown to go to the ISKCON temple and back, with an hour waiting time.
Padmavathi Temple
In Tiruchanur, five km from Tirupati, is this large temple dedicated to goddess Padmavathi (Alamelumanga), the consort of Lord Venkateswara (Balaji). A visit to Tirupati is not considered complete without seeing Sri Padmavathi. Sri Padmavathi is seated in Padmasana, holding a lotus in both of her upper hands. Her lower hands are in abhaya, fearlessness, and varada, benediction. Also in this temple are the Deities of Sri Krishna, Balarama, Sundararaja Swami, and Surya-narayana Swami. It is traditional to first worship Sri Krishna and then to take darsana of Sri Padmavathi.
Non-Hindus are technically not allowed in the temple. To enter you may be asked to sign a paper testifying to being a Hindu. There is a short wait to see the Deity.
Once a year there is a large festival that celebrates the marriage of Lord Venkateswara to Padmavati Devi. The festivities attract tourists from all over India. If you visit during this festival it is definitely worth following the crowds to see the splendor as the wedding takes place. Padmavati Devi arrives at Tirumala on the back of a splendid elephant decorated with tilaka of solid gold as Lord Sri Venkateswara comes out to meet Her. This is one occasion among many during the year when this temple displays the splendor and pageantry of its worship.
The main festival, Brahmotsavam, is in Nov/Dec. The ninth day of this festival is the birthday of Sri Padmavathi. On this day Lord Sri Venkateswara presents His consort birthday gifts, which are brought from Tirumala on a magnificently decorated elephant, covered with jewels and pearls.
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