ASTONISHING WONDERS & MIRACLES OF THIRUPATHI, lord venkateswara miracles, indian god miracles,

                  ASTONISHING WONDERS & MIRACLES OF THIRUPATHI

           

  We go to the SEVEN HILLS-THIRUPATHI.We bow to the Lord of the Seven Hills Lord Balaji
  also known as VENKATACHALAPATHI,the owner of the Hills and the presiding deity and feel
  happy. But there are many a miracles, truths, and practices in vogue of which many of us
  are unaware of.An attempt has been made to cmpile and present some of these hereunder.

   BREATH TAKING ASTONISHING WONDERS AND LEGENDARY MIRACLES OF THIRUPATHI

   Mentioned below are some chilling secrets about the sacred idol of Lord Balaji of
   SEVEN HILLS.

 1.About one KM distance away from the main temple of Balaji, there are few rare stone
   structural formations known as SHILA THORANAM (Stone Decorations).This is the only place
   wherein such stones are seen in this world.The age of these stones is placed around
   250 crores of years(2500 million years).The sacred idol of BALAJI too belongs to these
   types of stone only.
 2.PACHCHA KARPOORAM(Literally means Green Camphor)(a soft white crystals, a type of salt,
   of which a pinch is crushed in hand and added for fragrance to the kalasa theerthams
   as well as sweet preparations like payasam, sakkarai pongal etc, made out of jaggery)
   is applied on the main stone idol of Lord Balaji daily. This is a chemical item.
   A type of acid which may cause itching even. If this chemical item is pasted on any
   black stones like granite etc would result in cracks developing in the stone.But
   surprisingly if this is applied on the stone formations found at Thirupathi they have no
   effect on them. Though this is applied on the idol of Lord Balaji on all the 365 days
   in a year no damage has been done to the idol.

 3.In all granite stone idols of gods and godesses one could see the chipping of the stones
   by the sculptor.Similarly in the case of metallic casting of idols one could detect
   visible marks of the liquid metal having been poured for the casting of the idol at
   place or the other. But in respect of the idol of Lord Balaji no such markings could
   be detected at any part of the idol. Normally one can feel the roughness on the stone
   carvings of any stone or granite  idol.But in the case of idol of Lord Balaji all
   intricate carvings/workmanship appear as a smooth finish and do not appear to be manmade.
   The various decorative ornaments carved on the idol of Lord Balaji, like the CHUTTI
   on  the forehead, the ear rings, the eye brows, the decorative snake formations etc-
   all look bright and spick and span like polished ornaments.

 4.The idol of the Balaji always maintains a temperature of around 110*F. The Thirumala
   Hills is in cold climate at a height of about 3000 feet. ABHISHEGAM(sacred bath) is
   done early in the morning around 4.30AM to the idol with Cold Water,Cold Milk as well
   as other DRAVYAMS. But immediately after the sacred bath fine particles of water,
   appear on the body of the idol just like sweating.The ARCHAKAS,PUROHITS, gently
   swap the sweatings by pressing a silken cloth on the body of the idol.On all
   Thursdays, when the ornaments put on the idol of Balaji are removed just before
   the commencement of the sacred bath they are found to be very warm.
  

   The Temple, the daily rituals of worship, the income from the HUNDI(Donation Box)
   Puja(Worship) procedures, the hystoric events --all are unique and wonderful events.

  1.The kitchen hall at Tirupathi is very big and spacious.Many variety of items are
    prepared daily on massive scale. Say for e.g. PONGAL(a white rice preparation using
    lot of Ghee(melted butter) and pepper),CURD RICE,TAMARIND RICE,DIFFERENT TYPES
    OF MIXED RICE PREPARATIONS, VADAI,MURUKKU,JEELEBHI,ATHIRASAM,POLI,APPAM, MILAGU
    VADAI, LADDU, PAYASAM,DOSAI,RAVA KESARI, BADAM KESARI, CASHEWNUT KESARI etc etc.
   (These are names of items in TAMIL Language and no attempt made to describe it
    in English as it would be futile)

  2. The temple authorities buy a mut pot daily in which curd rice is offered to the
     Lord. Except curd rice, no other cooked or prepared food items will ever cross
     the KULASEKARA STEPS(the name of the steps at the entrance of the sanctum sancto
     rium of Lord Balaji) and enter the sanctum sanctorium.DIAMONDS, VAIDOORIUMS,
     GOLDEN VESSELS etc etc would never ever cross the KULASEKARAN STEPS and enter
     the sanctum sanctorium . It is deemed to be a big blessing indeed if any devotee
     gets the used mud pot and any remnants/left overs of the curd rice offered to Lord
     Balaji.

  3. The length of the Silken saree dress of Lord Balaji is around 21 arm lengths(one
     MUZHAM/ARM Length is roughly one and a half feet) and it weighs around 6 kilograms.
     This cannot be bought from  any shop. Any devotee who is desirous of offering one
     such dress has to remit a sum of INR 12.500 (say US$250) at the Devasthanam(Temple
     Office) towards cost of this dress.(I am not sure of present day cost)
     The new dress is offered to the Lord only once in a week, that is on Fridays only.
     Presently (again not sure as at present) the waiting period for offering the
     weekly new dress is about three years from date of remittance!!!.

  4. One set of ADD ON OUTER  GARMENTS(MEL SATHU VASTRAM) costs around INR 20,000.
     Every Friday about 15 such outer garments are accepted for offerings. Presently
     the weighting period is about 10 years from date of remittance!!!

  5. Other than the clothes offered by the devotees, the Andhra Pradesh Government
     also offers ONE SET of dress twice in a year.

  6. The waiting period for individuals desirous of offering  for ABHISHEGAM of the
     LORD is around 3 years(not sure what it is as on date!!!)

  7. Many of the items required for the ABHISHEGAM(Sacred Bath) are imported from
     abroad. For e.g. SAFFRON from SPAIN, KASTURI( an excretia from the body of
     MUSK deers) from NEPAL, PUNUGU(An excretia from the body of civic cats) from
     CHINA, certain Fragrance materials from PARIS.etc. These items are used to
     mix with sandal paste prepared in a golden plate. 51 small kalasams of milk
     are offered in the Abhishegam.Then they apply KASTURI and PUNUGU on the idol.
     From 4.30AM to 5.30 AM the abhishegam is done. The cost of each ABHISHEGAM
     is around INR ONE LAKH.

  8. Specially packed ROSES are  airfreighted from AMSTERDAM by the devotees.
     Each ROSE costs around INR 80.

  9. Many fragrance items are sent from CHINA to BALAJI. These include the
     Chinese Camphor, AKIL(a scented wood like sandalwood),SANDALWOOD,AMBER
     THAKKOLAM,ILAVANGAM, KUMKUMUM,THAMALAM,NIRYASAM etc etc
     (I am sorry I am unable to give the English equivalents)

  10. The value of the ornaments of Balaji is around INR 1000 crores.(Not sure
      about present day value)Since they have no secured place to keep all the
      ornaments and also they have no time to decorate the idol with all these
      ornaments, all excess ornaments are auctioned  once in a year after open
      advertisement in the news papers.

  11. The SALAGRAMA golden necklace of Lord Balaji weighs around 12 kilograms.Even
      to put it on to the Lord three priests(Archakas)are required.
      SURYA KADARI weighs 500 Kilogramms,PADA KAVASAM(Leg coverings) weighs 375 Kgs,
      The single Blue stone that is in pocession  of the temple is a unique the like
      of which is not to be found anywhere in the world.Its value is around
      INR 100 crores(US$ 20 billion)

  12.  Great kings like RAJENDRA CHOLA, KRISHNA DEVA RAYAR, ACHCHUTHA RAYAR have all
      donated many precious items and have also created permanent endowments/TRUSTS
      (ARAKKATTALAI) for the Lord Balaji and have got them engraved in Stones as well
      as in copper plates as authentic proof of such donations.Even the Chola queen
      had visited the Temple and had offered many a gifts/presentations to the Lord.

  13. A look alike small silver statue (idol), similar to the tall well built prime
      idol of Lord Balaji inside the sanctum sanctorum,was made and got ready on 8th
      June in the year 966 AD, for purpose of doing ABHISHEKAM as well as beautifying
      with all the jewels and jewelleries. The Pallava dynasty king SAKTHI VIDANGAN's  
      wife and queen to the throne called KADAVAN PERUM DEVI had donated a lot of
      ornaments/jewels to this silver idol of Balaji and had also created endowment
      Trusts for the purpose of conducting regular daily worship.The first KULOTHUNGA
      CHOLA KING too had rushed to the temple and had offered many a costly presents.

  14. The paintings/murals at the Tirupathi are over 300 years old.

  15. BILWA LEAVES(a must for worship of Lord Shiva )are used during ARCHANA(worship
      by various names of the Lord) of Lord Balaji on all Fridays. Similarly it is
      also used during Archana in the month of MARGAZHI( 15th Decr to 15 Jany).

  16. On SIVA RATRI DAY (MAHASIVARATRI day occurs once in a year and considered
      sacred for worship of Lord Shiva) a festival called KSHETRA PALIKA is celebrated
      at Thirupathi. On that day the URCHAVA IDOL(idol meant for going around the temple
      streets) is decorated with a flat diamond studded ornament resembling the three
      streaks of VIBHUTHI (Sacred ash applied on foreheads in three lines by worshipers
      Lord Shiva) and taken out in procession on the streets.

      The devotee poet, known as THALAPPAKKAM ANNAMAYYA , had sung songs in praise
      of the Lord Balaji portraying the Lord as PARA BRAHMA, as ESWARA OF SHIVA AMSA
      (part and parcel of Lord Shiva) and also as SHAKTHI SWAROOPA (the consort of
      Lord Shiva) and had got these songs engraved in copper plates.
     
      Tamil poet lauratte ARUNAGIRI NATHAR (known gor his devotional songs on Lord
      Karthik/SHANMUGHA/MURUGAN known as THIRUPUGAZH) had also visited Thirupathi.

      Both Arunagiri Nathar and Annamayya are contemperories.
     
      MUTHUSWAMI DIKSHIDHAR, (0ne of the famous music trinitys of Carnatic Music)
      was a well known SRIVIDHYA UPASAKAR and was also well versed in MANTRA SASTRAS.
      He had sung songs in praise of the hundreds of  Hindu deities/gods. In particular
      he had sung a song in the carnatic raga VARAALI in praise of Lord Balaji
      beginning with the words SESHAACHALA NAMAM.

   17. There is also a traditional belief in vogue that Lord Balaji has a third eye
       which he opens(visible) at the time of ABHISHEGAM.

   18.The STHALA VRIKSHAM (the tree for any particular holy place/temple) of Thirupathi
      is Tamarind Tree.

   19.Normally any Hindu god Idol in SATHVIK AND SHANTHI posture (in a calm and quiet
      posture) would be depicted with atleast one weapon in one of  the hands .But
      in the case Lord Balaji no weapon is held by him in his hands. He is NIRAYUDHA
      PANI (with no weapons in hands). Thats why in ancient Tamil literatures he has
      been described as VERUNGAI VEDAN , a hunter without any arms in hands.

   20. In the year 1781 AD the British Army had camped at a nearby place known as  
      THAKKOLAM (a place near Vellore in Tamil Nadu). A British soldeir by the name
      LEVELLIAN belonging to the 33rd regiments was lying mortally injured. He prayed
      to Lord BaLAJI to save his life . On being fully recovered he sent through an
      indian soldeir what ever he had offered/vowed to send to Lord Balaji.

   21. Britishers like SIR THOMAS MANROE, Col.GEO STRATTEN were also devotees of
       Lord Balaji.

   22. Respecting the sacred nature of the SEVEN HILLS no Britisher attempted to
       climb the hills during the period 1759AD to 1874 AD. European Christian
       Fathers wanted to establish a CROSS at least in one place in the Seven Hills.
       But the British Generals did not give permission for the same. The Britishers
       wanted the daily puja rituals aT the  seven hills to continue uninterrupted .
       They were anxious and worried that if the puja rituals are not held properly
       it may have an adverse effect in their rule of the country.

    23. The inner garments(UL PAVADAI) of the Lord Balajis consort Lordess ALAMELU
        MANGA , are made of cotton at a place called KATHWAAL. The weavers of this
        garment belong to the CHENJU TRIBES and the prepare it with utmost devotion.
        Since this inner garments touches the body of the Lordess, the weavers take
        bath thrice daily during the preparations of this dress. They also do not
        touch liquors or any non vegetarian foods during this period.


        The items for Friday Abhishegam are got prepared on Thursday nights at the
        PARIMALA ROOM. SAFFRON is also added to the mixture for Abhishegam. Devotees
        from abroad continue to despatch various fragrant items to the Lord. Roughly
        materials worth  about INR 50,000  are sent every week.

   
    24. The worship of Lord Balaji is done as MOTHER GODESS(AMBAL) for 4 days, as
        LORD MAHA VISHNU for 2 days and as LORD SHIVA for one day in a week.

    25. The Abhishegam water/liquids are let out through a pipe into the nearby sacred
        tank of the Temple called PUSHKARANI. Hence the water in the tank is also
        considered to be sacred (Even otherwise all temple tanks are considered as
        sacred waters capable of removing ones sins on taking a dip).After taking
        bath in the temple tank the devotees offer ARGYAMS(lift the water in the palms
        keeping both hands as a pouch) to the Lord but the water is allowed to be let
        into the tank itself.This is also considered to be one type of worship.

    26. On all Fridays in the early morning, a special worship is performed before
        the commencement of Abhshegam. One psalm in Tamil beginning with the words
        "VENKATAM YENAP PETRA" and a THANIAN(individual compilation) are sung in the
        VADAKALAI SAMPRADHAYAM (VADAKALAI and THENKALAI are two sets of Vaishnava
        devotees,who wear their white and red symbols on forehead in U and Y form
        respectively). During this special worship the Idol is without any dress or
        flower decorations.(NIRMALYA/VISWAROOOPA DHARSHANAM/DIKAMBARAM). A camphor
        is lighted and shown to the Lord(KARPOORA ARATHI). Then worship in the
        THENKALAI SAMPRADHAYAM is done.(THENKALAI devotees sung more of TAMIL
        songs/Pasurams.).Then NEYVEDHYAM is offered to the Lord.(offering of
        a fruit etc). Once again a lighted camphor(karpoora arathi)is shown.
        The idol of Balaji at that time would be shining beautifully and is a
        treat to the eyes.

    27.In the year 1543 AD the then king of Vijayanagar known as ACHCHUTHA RAYAR
       had built a temple for mother godess PADMAVATHI and also did KUMBHABHISHEGAM
       (Consecration ceremony). But this temple was razed to the grounds by the
       invading muslim battalions under the leadership of NIZAM THOULA. The remnants
       of these destructions can be seen even today.

    28. The flower garland worn by the idol of  female devotee known as SRI AANDAAL
        at SRIVILLIPUTHUR temple of Tamil Nadu is brought daily to the Hills and offered
        once again to Lord Balaji.SRI AANDAAL worshipped Lord Balaji as her GOD.


    29. There are about 1180 stone engravings in the temple at the Seven Hills.
        Of these 236 belongs to the regime periods of the kings of PALLAVA/CHOLA/
        PANDIAs, 169 belongs to the CHALUKYA KINGS dynasty, 229 belongs to the
        period of King KISHNA DEVA RAYAR, 251 belongs to the ACHCHUTHA RAYAR period,
        147 belongs to the SADASIVA RAYAR, 139 belongs to the period of kings of
        KONDAI VEEDU. Right from the period of Pallava king NANDIVARMAN that is
        from the year 830 AD to 1909 AD , these engravings have been made.
        Of these engarvings only 50 are in the TELUGU/KANNADA languages and the
        rest 1130 engravings are in Tamil language only.