Venkateshwara

Venkateshwara, also known as Lord Vishnu, is a deity in Hinduism worshipped at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is one of the most revered Shiva temples in India and is said to be the home of the deity Vishnu, who is also revered by the name Venkateshwara.

The name "Venkateshwara" is derived from the Tamil language, where "Venkat" means mount or hill and "Esvara" means lord. The deity is referred to as Venkateshwara because he is believed to reside on the Venkata Hill, where the Tirumala Temple is located.

According to Hindu scriptures, Venkateshwara is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu and is associated with the other three deities, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva. The temple at Tirupati is said to have been built by the Pallava king, Nandivaramman Pallava II, in the 9th century AD and has been a major pilgrim destination for devotees from all over India.

The Venkateshwara deity is often depicted as a Yogiraj, a yogi king, in the Padmasana, seated position, holding a conch, a wheel, and a lotus in his hands. The deity is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, said to be one of the seven bhagyasthalams, or sacred places, in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Each day, thousands of devotees visit the temple, offering prayers and worship to Venkateshwara. The temple also holds significant cultural and educational importance, with various institutions and educational foundations established nearby.