There is an interesting story that Kubera has granted a huge amount of loan to Lord Balaji, the highest diety in kaliyug, for his marriage and Lord Balaji agreed to repay the interest from the collections of temple at Tirupati, Andra Pradesh State, India. We don't know how far the story is true. But, Hindu people have got much faith on Lord Balaji who is also known as Lord Venkateshwara. It is said that a turning point will come in the life of a suffering person, if he visits this temple once. Many people regularly visit the temple before performing a good deed or before starting a new business. Common people will also make a visit to this temple with a hope that something good will happen in their life. The tourists from all the countries and all the parts of India come to Tirupati and like to have the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara.
Many businessmen give a share of profit to this temple, on a regular basis. By the grace of Lord Balaji, the impossible things are made possible and the delighted people want to thank him in the form of putting some money in the Hundi at the temple. The daily Hundi collections exceed Rupee one crore and some people put gold, silver coins and jewellery also in the Hundi. The people stand in long queues patiently, to have the darshan for few seconds. People believe that Lord Venkateshwara will come to our rescue if we give him a call and relieve us from our problems, whether we are a strong devotee or not. Many people give a vow to the Lord that they will visit Tirupati temple and leave the ego by tonsure, that is giving away the prestigious hair. Some people engage in fasting and do prayers to Lord venkateshwara to win his grace.
Some people like to walk from foot of the Tirupati hills. Some people visit tirupati, before starting arrangement for marriage, to submit the wedding card at the lotus feet of Lord Balaji. Special types of darshan facilities are also available. The VIPs and rich people make use of these to have the sacred darshan of Lord Balaji. On holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, there will be heavy rush. Special transport facilities are available from all parts of India, for visiting Tirupati. Also, advance booking for darshan can be made from many places and online booking facilities are also available. The most auspicious function in Tirupati is the brahmotsavam festival and devotees from all over India and even from foreign countries, will be awaiting eagerly, to visit Tirupati at the time of this festival. It is believed that the creator of mankind the Lord Brahma first conducted this festival and hence, named as brahmotsavam. Normally, in the month of October, brahmotsavam is celebrated for a period of nine days. The rite of ankurarpana, that is sowing of seeds is performed in the evening, with a puja for Sri Vishvaksena, who removes obstacles, before commencement of brahmotsavam.
On the first day, the commencement of brahmotsavam is marked by hoisting of the garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. By this, Garuda will reach devalokam to invite all devas for this function. Daily homas and procession of utsava murthi on different chariots are performed on all the nine days. The last day is the Birth star of Lord Balaji and so, it is celebrated very grandly with special alankarams and abishekams. The sudharshana chakra is bathed in pushkarani and the devotees are blessed with the holy water dripping down from this chakra which is placed on a high platform. The lowering of garuda flag is known as dhvajavarohanam, which marks the end of the festival. The common people join with the priests and pay respects to Gods and Sages. Ther Veda Mantras are chanted by all. The festival is really a feast for millions of devotees.
source : www.saching.com
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