Tirupati is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Its Sri Venkateswara Temple sits atop one of the 7 peaks of Tirumala Hills, attracting scores of Hindu pilgrims. It is the richest and one of the most revered shrines in India. Sri Venkateswara National Park, home to the temple, also contains the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park with lions and primates. Nearby, next to a waterfall and cave believed to be sacred, Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva Explore Tirupati Darshan: 10 Interesting Facts You Must Know Before You Go.
10 Interesting Facts about Tirupati Balaji Temple
Tirupathi Laddu has a GI patent, which is only granted to identify a product with specific provenance. The prasad laddu at Tirupati Balaji is arguably the first offering at any place of worship to be recognised as intellectual property, in this case, of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), that manages the temple.
For a complete guide on the Tirumala Tirupati Temple check Darshan Timings, Booking & More.
- Tirumala Tirupati temple is located at a height of 3200 feet, and the surroundings are cool. Irrespective of this fact, the idol of Lord Balaji remains at a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Every morning, after the bath ritual, droplets of sweat appear on the idol of Lord Balaji. On Thursdays, when the priests remove the ornaments of the idol for a holy bath, it is said that they come off with a sensation of warmth.
- The idol of Lord Tirupati Balaji may appear to be standing in the centre of the sanctum sanctorum, but technically, it is not. The idol is placed in the right-hand corner of the shrine. Every morning, after the holy bath known as Abhishekham, droplets of sweat appear on the image of Balaji which have to be wiped off with a silken fabric by the priests. On Thursdays, when the priests remove the ornaments of the idol for a holy bath, they come off with a sensation of warmth.
- Lord Balaji’s image may be carved out of stone, but it is thoroughly infused with life and very much alive if reports are to be believed. The idol of the holy deity maintains a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, even though the surroundings are cool due to the steep location of the temple (3000 feet).
- Despite the priests trying their best, the back of Lord Balaji’s idol at the Venkateshwara Swamy temple stays moist. No one can explain why that is so. Interesting, isn’t it?
- The temple has various stone engravings from different ruling administrations of history. There are about 1180 engravings out of which 139 belong to the ruling period of Kondoi Veedu, 229 belong to King Krishna Deva Rayar, 147 belong to Sadasiva Rayar, 251 belong to the Achchuthan Rayar period, 169 belong to the Chalukya Kings ruling period and 236 belong to the Chola period.
- Tirupati Balaji Temple holds a special significance amongst Hindus. According to the religion, Hinduism says that there are a total of 8 Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras and Tirupati is one of them. Garuda is believed to be the vehicle of Lord Venkateswara. Surprisingly, you find a hill in Tirumala that features a natural rock formation in the form of Garuda.
- Indian Goddess Laxmi still lives in the heart of Balaji—literally! According to the priests in Tirupati Balaji, during NijaRoopa Darshanam every Thursday, the main idol is decorated with white wood paste. After the paste is removed, the imprint of the Goddess is left.
- The hair worn by Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala Balaji Temple is sleek, soft, without tangle, and genuine. The story behind this is that Lord Balaji lost a few of his hair during an unexpected incident during his reign on the earth. However, Neela Devi, one of the Gandharva Princesses noticed the same incident and cut a part of her glorious hair. She offered the chopped locks to Lord Balaji and requested him to plant them on his head.
- Lord Balaji was extremely pleased with Neela Devi after seeing her devotion so, he accepted her kind offer. He also promised to bless all the devotees visiting his shrine and sacrificing their hair at his feet. Since then, shaving off their hair before the deity has become a custom among the Lord Balaji devotees.
- The light of a Thoughtful devotee’s heart for the Divine never gets switched off, and so the earthen lights kept before the idol of the god in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Lord Venkateshwara Temple. There is no reliable evidence about when these lights were ignited and who lit them. All that is known is that they have been glowing for quite a while and will keep on doing as such.

Where to Stay in Tirupati?
If you are planning to visit Tirupati, find Accommodations at Tirupati where you can get the best Hotels, Dharamshala and Guest Houses. You can book through our website YatraDham.org
- Tirupati SrinDakshin ath Dham Sri Vallabh Sadan
- Tirupati Yasodha Krishna Residency
- Tirupati Sri Uttradhi Sri Vaishnav Math
- Tirupati Reddy Bhavanam
- Tirupati Srinivasa Dhama Pejawar Mutt
FAQs
Wearing Indian Attire in the temple will be good for your visit.
The Darshan Timings are from 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
There are fewer people during the monsoon season because of the moderate to heavy rainfall.
The Tirupati Temple offers Laddu Prashadam to all the devotees.
The temple is believed to be a place where Lord Vishnu descended to alleviate the sufferings of humanity during the Kali Yuga