Temples of the Hoysala

The Hoysala Empire was a Southern mighty Indian empire that ruled from 10^th and 14^th centuries A.D. Belur was initial capital of the Hoysala Empire later moved to Halebidu.
During the reign, the Hoysalas built over 1500 temples throughout their empire. Today, however, only a little over a hundred of these monuments survive.Hoysalas promoted  tolerance, with Shaivite, Vaishnavite, Jainism .They were meant to be expressions of spiritual purpose and vehicles of spiritual practice and attainment.

Stone Chariot at Vittala Temple displays the magnificence of the Hoysala architecture. Photo source.

Hoysala temples were built on platforms and had a star-shaped plan ,hybrid of the nagara style from northern India and the Dravidian style The intricate decorations  cover the exterior walls  include depictions of deities, dance and music, hunting, the daily life of the peoples, and scenes from three of Hinduism’s greatest literary works – the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavatham.  

A section from the world famous hoysala architecture in India. Source: BigStockPhoto

At the first capital of the Hoysalas, Belur is the Chennakeshava Temple Complex. This is situated at the centre of the old walled town on the banks of the Yagachi River. It was dedicated to the god Vishnu, and Shiva. There are  118 stone inscriptions covering the period from A.D. 1117 to the 18^th century have been found there. These inscriptions provide us with fascinating details about the artists who were employed, grants made to the temple, and the renovations that were done.

Carvings of worshippers lined up along a wall at Hampi. Source: BigStockPhoto

Belur city was attacked numerous times,finally succeeded in sacking the capital in A.D. 1310. This resulted in the destruction of the main temple in the centre of the city as well as numerous other smaller temples, shrines and palace buildings. One of these remaining temples is the Hoysaleshwara Temple. This temple was built in A.D. 1121 during the reign of King Vishnuvardhana Hoysalas, and was dedicated to Shiva. While it was the kings who usually sponsored the grandest temples in Southern India, this one was dedicated by the wealthy citizens and merchants of Halebidu.  

The intricate carvings on the Hoysaleshwara Temple. Source: BigStockPhoto

On the occasion of World Heritage Day 2014 (18 April 2014), UNESCO granted India another 15 sites on its tentative World Heritage Sites. This meant that India now has a total of 48 sites on this tentative list. Of these sites, 3 of them are from Southern India, and one of these is the Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala.
Featured image: The Chennakeshava Temple built in 1117 AD by the Hoysalas at Belur Karnataka India. Source: BigStockPhoto
chennakesava temple 
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References
Drishti The Vision Foundation, 2014. World Heritage Day. [Online]
Available at: http://www.drishtiias.com/upsc-current-affairs-article-World-Heritage-Day
Government of Karnataka, Department of Tourism, 2014. Blazing Trail of Golden Era... Tourist Guide of Hassan District. [Online]
Available at: http://www.hassan.nic.in/pdfs/tourism/Hassan-District-Tourism-Golden%20Era.pdf
The New India Press, 2014. 3 Sites on Tentative Heritage List. [Online]
Available at: http://m.newindianexpress.com/karnataka/313147
UNESCO, 2014. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala. [Online]
Available at: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5898/
Wikipedia, 2014. Chennakesava Temple. [Online]
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennakesava_Temple
Wikipedia, 2014. Hoysala Empire. [Online]
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoysala_Empire
Wikipedia, 2014. Hoysaleswara Temple. [Online]
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoysaleswara_temple

Miraculous Bhuteshwar Shivling That Is Growing Every Year On Its Own

1. The land of miracles

When it comes to religious miracles, India is no stranger to them. Whether it was about a man claiming he had sighted “Lord Hanuman” in a cave or idols in a temple drinking milk a decade back, there have been such instances which have no logical explanation. Here’s another one that is bound to make your eyes open with amazement.

2. What is it?

At a distance of 90 km from Chattisgarh’s capital Raipur there is a district situated named Gariabandh. Around 3 kms from there - in a district called Mukhyalya there is a forest named Gram Maroda where there is a shivling called 'Bhuteshwar Mahadev’ .

3. One of a kind

All over the world the Shivling is famous as the ‘ worlds only Shivling that grows every year’ . This Shivling is also known as ‘ Bakurra Mahadev ‘ .

4. On its own

The surprising feature of this Shivling is that it keeps on increasing in height and width on its own. It is about 18 feet tall and the width of the spherical surface of the Shivling is about 20 feet.

5. Word of mouth

According to the priests at the temple, the size of the Shivling is to be measured every year at the occasion of Mahashivratri.

6. Huge number of devotees

The priest at the temple said that the temple attracts lakhs of people every year, specially between the months of July and August.

7. How is it measured?

The Shivling's length is measured recorded every year by the Revenue department.

8. The story behind it

According to the villagers, the story behind this Shivling is that several years ago, a zamindar had a field in this place and there was a mound in his field from where people could hear the roaring of a lion.

9. The story behind it

When he informed the others of this development, they also flocked to the mound and heard the roaring. From then onwards, people started worshipping this mound.

10. The story behind it

This small mound eventually started increasing in size and increases till date.

11. The best time to visit

During the auspicious month of Sawan, people wait in long queues to get a glimpse of the Shivling. It is said that to please the lord, just a jug of water is enough.

12. The biggest natural shivling

Bhuteshwar Shivling is the world's biggest natural Shivling in Chhattisgarh, India.

13. Some statistics

People from 17 villages combined together to work as one in the welfare of the shivling. Initially, the size of the shivling was measured 1952 and recorded as 35 ft. And after that, every year the height and area of the Shivling kept on increasing

14. The only one in the world

Manohar Lal Devangan, a member of the welfare committee of the Shivling has said that ‘ Bhuteshwar Mahadev ‘ is the only Shivling in the world whose height increases every year.

15. The mystery continues

The temple has now joined the list of miracle temples in India and the mystery behind it keeps on baffling those around it.

Erotic Indian temples

1. These erotic Indian temples

From Sun to Moon, and Soul to Sex, we Indians have god for almost everything. Lord Kamadeva also known as Mara is a Hindu god of human love and desire. A few might take his name in a hush-hush manner, others would rather pretend they do not worship him; on the other hand they praise him the most for enlightening them. So, it is but natural to explain why we Indians connect sex to spirituality!

2. Beautiful Indian temples

Many ancient Indian temples are decorated with sexual imageries depicting that sex was considered to be a spiritual pathway and not a hedonistic activity. Unlike people of today’s time, who would rather not accept an artist displaying his nude work, we have come to believe that ancient India was quite open-minded. And, these carvings are a stark proof.

3. Temple famous for their carvings

You will be surprised to know that many Indian temples that are bombarded by devotees’ and visitors are known for their erotic sculptures than the deities. We are going to take you through some of the most beautiful and erotic Indian temples that have been worshipped since centuries.

4. Markandeshwar, Maharashtra

The Shiva temple built on the banks of river is believed to have been mysteriously created within one night by the demon, who worshiped Lord Shiva. The sexual carvings on the walls outside are believed to be the work of demons.

5. Virupaksha, Hampi

The Shiva temple is a declared UNESCO World Heritage, and is located on the banks of Tungabhadra River. Apart from the sexual imageries on its out walls, the temple is widely appreciated and praised for impeccable construction including the sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and an open pillared hall.

6. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

It is not one but a group of small temples, which are believed to have been built in honor of Lord Shiva and other deities, who had once come to visit the city. The temple attracts hordes of tourists worldwide especially for its sculptures and depiction of the four goals of Hinduism- Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

7. Padawali, Madhya Pradesh

Though at present, most of the temple lies in ruins thanks to the wild greenery alongside Chambal River, but its beauty till date remains unmatched. The Padawali temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, attract locals and travelers. Despite the temple being in such rugged conditions, the carvings and statues on top walls and stairs remain intact. The temple is famous for its wild erotic carvings.

8. Sun Temple, Konark

Dedicated to Lord Sun, the temple is also known as ‘Black Pagoda’ and was created in the early 13th century. It is sculpted in a form of giant chariot with stone wheels, walls and pillars. The carvings on its walls have for long being the talked for its eroticism. Britishers during their rule called this the “'most beautiful and yet the most obscene.”

9. Bhoramdeo, Chattisgarh

This group of four temples has been described as a "scintillating poetry in stone". The erotic was created under the reign of kings who are believed to have practised Tantrism and Occult.

10. Jagdish Mandir, Udaipur

The Jagannath Rai temple of Udaipur, Rajasthan is famously called Jagdish Mandir. This three-story temple built with black stone have has structures on the inside built with brass. It also has writings belonging to the time Maharana Jagat Singh, under whose reign it was constructed. Though the temple too has some erotic structures built on the outside walls, but has logic behind it. According to it, humans must give up all sorts of worldly pleasure before entering the holy inner sanctum.

11. Sun Temple, Gujarat

The temple as of now does not hold any religious practice like, prayers or offerings to the idol, but it still draws in a lot of tourists. Listed under the Archaeological Survey of India, the Sun temple was constructed in the 11th century. The erotic carvings on its walls have a fairly good reason defended by locals, “Sex back then was not impure or immoral, but was a pathway to birth.”

12. Osian, Rajasthan

This Jain temple is located in the Osian village on the outskirts of Jodhpur. Local villagers explain that the sexual imageries were created because sex was considered equivalent to other worldly pleasure. And, teaching to imbibe what makes one feel good.

13. Ranakpur, Rajasthan

This Jain temple is a dedication to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar. It is widely appreciated for its serene and elaborate sculptures. It is a surprising fact that no two carvings are alike.

14. Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneshwar

The temple on regular basis sees minimum 6000 tourists per day. It is quite famous for mythological sculptures and erotic art, along with sacred Hindu text on sex.

15. Tripurantaka Temple, Karnataka

Constructed back in 1070 CE, the temple is in today’s time known as Shivamogga. In addition to the famous intricate stone carvings, the temple has a lot of sculptures from the Kamasutra carved on the outer walls.

16. Kailasa, Ellora

World famous Kailasa temple was created to give an exact feel of Lord Shiva’s residence Mount Kailasa, and was dedicated to him. What’s intriguing about its construction is that this temple was built in downward position i.e. started from top of the rock and constructed downwards. The erotic carvings on its walls have for so long being talked about.

17. Nanda Devi Temple, Almora

Nanda Devi was a consort of Lord Shiva and this temple was a dedication to her, built in the idyllic valley of flowers, Uttarakhand. Though the temple is quite simple but has numerous erotic carvings on its walls.

Jain temple in Ajmer

अजमेर जैन मंदिर स्थापत्य कला की दृष्टि से एक भव्य जैन मंदिर है। इसे सोनीजी की णसियन के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। इसका निर्माण १९वीं शताब्दी के उत्तरार्द्ध में हुआ। इसके मुख्य कक्ष को 'स्वर्ण नगरी' (भगवान का नगर) कहा जाता है। इस कक्ष में सोने से परिरक्षित लकड़ी की रचनायें हैं।

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The Druids : Brahmins of Ancient Europe

The celtic people spread from their homeland in what is now Germany across Europe in the first millennium bce. Iron tools and weapons rendered them superior to their neighbors. They were also skilled farmers, road builders, traders and inventors of a fast two-wheeled chariot. They declined in the face of Roman, Germanic and Slavic ascendency by the second centuries bce.
Here Peter Berresford Ellis, one of Europe’s foremost experts of the Celts, explains how modern research has revealed the amazing similarities between ancient Celt and Vedic culture. The Celt’s priestly caste, the Druids, has become a part of modern folklore. Their identity is claimed by New Age enthusiasts likely to appear at annual solstice gatherings around the ancient megaliths of northwest Europe. While sincerely motivated by a desire to resurrect Europe’s ancient spiritual ways, Ellis says these modern Druids draw more upon fanciful reconstructions of the 18th century than actual scholarship.
The Druids of the ancient Celtic world have a startling kinship with the brahmins of the Hindu religion and were, indeed, a parallel development from their common Indo-European cultural root which began to branch out probably five thousand years ago. It has been only in recent decades that Celtic scholars have begun to reveal the full extent of the parallels and cognates between ancient Celtic society and Vedic culture.

The Celts were the first civilization north of the European Alps to emerge into recorded history. At the time of their greatest expansion, in the 3rd century bce, the Celts stretched from Ireland in the west, through to the central plain of Turkey in the east; north from Belgium, down to Cadiz in southern Spain and across the Alps into the Po Valley of Italy. They even impinged on areas of Poland and the Ukraine and, if the amazing recent discoveries of mummies in China’s province of Xinjiang are linked with the Tocharian texts, they even moved as far east as the area north of Tibet.
The once great Celtic civilization is today represented only by the modern Irish, Manx and Scots, and the Welsh, Cornish and Bretons. Today on the northwest fringes of Europe cling the survivors of centuries of attempted conquest and “ethnic cleansing” by Rome and its imperial descendants. But of the sixteen million people who make up those populations, only 2.5 million now speak a Celtic language as their mother tongue.

The Druids were not simply priesthood. They were the intellectual caste of ancient Celtic society, incorporating all the professions: judges, lawyers, medical doctors, ambassadors, historians and so forth, just as does the brahmin caste. In fact, other names designate the specific role of the “priests.” Only Roman and later Christian propaganda turned them into “shamans,” “wizards” and “magicians.” The scholars of the Greek Alexandrian school clearly described them as a parallel caste to the brahmins of Vedic society.
The very name Druid is composed of two Celtic word roots which have parallels in Sanskrit. Indeed, the root vid for knowledge, which also emerges in the Sanskrit word Veda, demonstrates the similarity. The Celtic root dru which means “immersion” also appears in Sanskrit. So a Druid was one “immersed in knowledge.”
Because Ireland was one of the few areas of the Celtic world that was not conquered by Rome and therefore not influenced by Latin culture until the time of its Christianization in the 5th century ce, its ancient Irish culture has retained the most clear and startling parallels to Hindu society.
Professor Calvert Watkins of Harvard, one of the leading linguistic experts in his field, has pointed out that of all the Celtic linguistic remains, Old Irish represents an extraordinarily archaic and conservative tradition within the Indo-European family. Its nominal and verbal systems are a far truer reflection of the hypothesized parent tongue, from which all Indo-European languages developed, than are Classical Greek or Latin. The structure of Old Irish, says Professor Watkins, can be compared only with that of Vedic Sanskrit or Hittite of the Old Kingdom.
The vocabulary is amazingly similar. The following are just a few examples:
Old Irish – arya (freeman),Sanskrit – aire (noble)
Old Irish – naib (good), Sanskrit – noeib (holy)
Old Irish – badhira (deaf), Sanskrit – bodhar (deaf)
Old Irish – names (respect), Sanskrit – nemed (respect)
Old Irish – righ (king), Sanskrit – raja (king)

This applies not only in the field of linguistics but in law and social custom, in mythology, in folk custom and in traditional musical form. The ancient Irish law system, the Laws of the Fénechus, is closely parallel to the Laws of Manu. Many surviving Irish myths, and some Welsh ones, show remarkable resemblances to the themes, stories and even names in the sagas of the Indian Vedas.
Comparisons are almost endless. Among the ancient Celts, Danu was regarded as the “Mother Goddess.” The Irish Gods and Goddesses were the Tuatha De Danaan (“Children of Danu”). Danu was the “divine waters” falling from heaven and nurturing Bíle, the sacred oak from whose acorns their children sprang. Moreover, the waters of Danu went on to create the great Celtic sacred river–Danuvius, today called the Danube. Many European rivers bear the name of Danu–the Rhône (ro- Dhanu, “Great Danu”) and several rivers called Don. Rivers were sacred in the Celtic world, and places where votive offerings were deposited and burials often conducted. The Thames, which flows through London, still bears its Celtic name, from Tamesis, the dark river, which is the same name as Tamesa, a tributary of the Ganges.
Not only is the story of Danu and the Danube a parallel to that of Ganga and the Ganges but a Hindu Danu appears in the Vedic story “The Churning of the Oceans,” a story with parallels in Irish and Welsh mytholgy. Danu in Sanskrit also means “divine waters” and “moisture.”
In ancient Ireland, as in ancient Hindu society, there was a class of poets who acted as charioteers to the warriors They were also their intimates and friends. In Irish sagas these charioteers extolled the prowess of the warriors. The Sanskrit Satapatha Brahmana says that on the evening of the first day of the horse sacrifice (and horse sacrifice was known in ancient Irish kingship rituals, recorded as late as the 12th century) the poets had to chant a praise poem in honor of the king or his warriors, usually extolling their genealogy
and deeds.
Such praise poems are found in the Rig Veda and are called narasamsi. The earliest surviving poems in old Irish are also praise poems, called fursundud, which trace back the genealogy of the kings of Ireland to Golamh or Mile Easpain, whose sons landed in Ireland at the end of the second millennium bce. When Amairgen, Golamh’s son, who later traditions hail as the “first Druid,” set foot in Ireland, he cried out an extraordinary incantation that could have come from the Bhagavad Gita, subsuming all things into his being
Celtic cosmology is a parallel to Vedic cosmology. Ancient Celtic astrologers used a similar system based on twenty-seven lunar mansions, called nakshatras in Vedic Sanskrit. Like the Hindu Soma, King Ailill of Connacht, Ireland, had a circular palace constructed with twenty-seven windows through which he could gaze on his twenty-seven “star wives.”


There survives the famous first century bce Celtic calendar (the Coligny Calendar) which, as soon as it was first discovered in 1897, was seen to have parallels to Vedic calendrical computations. In the most recent study of it, Dr. Garret Olmsted, an astronomer as well as Celtic scholar, points out the startling fact that while the surviving calendar was manufactured in the first century bce, astronomical calculus shows that it must have been computed in 1100 bce.
One fascinating parallel is that the ancient Irish and Hindus used the name Budh for the planet Mercury. The stem budh appears in all the Celtic languages, as it does in Sanskrit, as meaning “all victorious,” “gift of teaching,” “accomplished,” “enlightened,” “exalted” and so on. The names of the famous Celtic queen Boudicca, of ancient Britain (1st century ce), and of Jim Bowie (1796-1836), of the Texas Alamo fame, contain the same root. Buddha is the past participle of the same Sanskrit word–“one who is enlightened.”
For Celtic scholars, the world of the Druids of reality is far more revealing and exciting, and showing of the amazingly close common bond with its sister Vedic culture, than the inventions of those who have now taken on the mantle of modern “Druids,” even when done so with great sincerity.

If we are all truly wedded to living in harmony with one another, with nature, and seeking to protect endangered species of animal and plant life, let us remember that language and culture can also be in ecological danger. The Celtic languages and cultures today stand on the verge of extinction. That is no natural phenomenon but the result of centuries of politically directed ethnocide. What price a “spiritual awareness” with the ancient Celts when their culture is in the process of being destroyed or reinvented? Far better we seek to understand and preserve intact the Celt’s ancient wisdom. In this, Hindus may prove good allies.
The Song of Amairgen the Druid I am the wind that blows across the sea; I am the wave of the ocean; I am the murmur of the billows; I am the bull of the seven combats; I am the vulture on the rock; I am a ray of the sun; I am the fairest of flowers; I am a wild boar in valor; I am a salmon in the pool; I am a lake on the plain; I am the skill of the craftsman; I am a word of science; I am the spearpoint that gives battle; I am the God who creates in the head of man the fire of thought. Who is it that enlightens the assembly upon the mountain, if not I? Who tells the ages of the moon, if not I? Who shows the place where the sun goes to rest, if not I? Who is the God that fashions enchantments– The enchantment of battle and the wind of change?
Amairgen was the first Druid to arrive in Ireland. Ellis states, “In this song Amairgen subsumes everything into his own being with a philosophic outlook that parallels the declaration of Krishna in the Hindu Bhagavad-Gita.” It also is quite similar in style and content to the more ancient Sri Rudra chant of the Yajur Veda.

Original Article

Buddhism in China

ANCIENT BAUDDISM RAWAK STUPA KHOTAN SILK ROAD CHINA

The Rawak Stupa exemplifies a development from the stupa on a square base that emerges in and is seen elsewhere in the region, such as at Niya, to one on a cruciform-shaped base owing to the addition of staircases protruding out from the base on each side. This is seen in the Kanishka stupa dating to the Kushan and to Top-i-Rustam in Balkh. The form follows a scriptural description found in the Divyavadana, that describes a stupa as having four staircases, three platforms and an egg-like dome, as well as the other usual elements. Rawak is dated by several scholars to the fourth to fifth centuries, supported by finds, including coins, and stylistic considerations of the statues in the rectangular ambulatory, but also suggested by features such as the relic chamber placed high in the dome. This feature is common from the fourth and fifth centuries in stupas at Taxila and also seen in the Maura-Tim stupa at Kashgar. Stein suggested a possible late third to early fourth century date, based on the style of the stupa itself and the sculptures and paintings.[

Amazing Tirupati Balaji temple facts

1. At the entrance of the main door, to the right side, a stick which was used by Ananthaalvar to hit Venkateshwara Swamy is present. When this stick was used to hit the ‘small boy’ Venkateshwara, his chin was hurt. Since then, the practice and tradition of applying Sandalwood paste on Swamy’s chin began.

2. There is real hair on the main idol of Venkateshwara Swamy. They say that this hair never tangles and is silky smooth always.

3. There is a village, approximately 23 Kms from the temple in Tirumala.

The entry to this village is only for the villagers. The people are said to be living with strict practices and tradition. It is from this village, that all the flowers, milk, ghee, butter are sourced for the God.

4. Venkateshwara Swamy appears to be standing in the middle of the garba gudi. Actually, Swamy stands at the right side corner of the garba gudi. This can be noticed from standing outside.

5. Every day a new & sacred dhoti (bottom) and saree (top) are used to decorate Swamy. Blessing newly married Couples who perform a spl seva are given this.

6. All the flowers used in the garba gudi are in no condition brought out. There is a waterfall behind Swamy’s behind. All flowers are thrown in this water fall.

7. No matter how many times, the back of Swamy is dried, it remains wet always. If you carefully keep your ear and listen against Swamy’s back, sound of an ocean is heard.

8. Lakshmi Devi is on the heart of Swamy. On Thursdays, during Nija Roopa Darshanam, Swamy is decorated with white wood paste. When this decoration is taken out, the imprint on Lakshmi Devi remains. This imprint is sold by the temple authorities.

9. When someone dies how one does not see behind and lights the fire, similarly, the flowers removed from Swamy are thrown at the back of Swamy. It is said that the pujaris do not look at the back of the Swamy that entire day. All these flowers can be seen coming out at a place called Verpedu, 20 kms from Tirupati (on way to Kalahaasti).

10. The lights (deepa) lighted in front of the Swamy is said to be lit since thousands of years. And no one exactly knows since when these lights are lit.

11. In 1800, the temple was said to be closed for 12 years. One King is said to have punished. 12 people (who committed some crime) by killing them and hanging them on the walls of the temple. They say that, it was at this time that Vimana Venkateshwara Swamy appeared..!

13. The Arch at the entrance ofTirumala Hills is unique in the world.

14. The Idol of Balaji is adorned with ‘Pachai Karpooram’, from Cinnamomum camphora, which is a highly volatile substance,daily.      If applied to a stone, it will form Cracks. But not so in Lord Balaji’s case.

15.There is no mark of the Chisel in the Idol.

16. The Idol is always at 110 Degree F, despite being bathed in Water, Milk at the early hours, 4.30am. After bathing the Deity Sweat forms every day and it is wiped off.

17. Lord Balaji is worshiped as Goddess Uma (Ambal) on four days , as Vishnu for two days and Shiva as One day in a week.

18. This Place is known for its amazing literacy rate (87.55%).  What’s even more remarkable is that this is significantly higher than the national average of 73%

19. It has the second largest zoo in Asia.

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park covers an area of 5,532 acres (22 square kilometers). It is said to have been built on the concepts of the Hindu Mythology, and is home to some of the animals that exist in ancient texts like Ramayana and Mahabharata.

20.The Local National Park is home to some rare birds and animals and has won accolades from several bio reserves. About 178 species of birds have been identified here, which also includes the globally threatened “Yellow-throated bulbul”, the critically dangered “Oriental white-backed vulture”, Loten’s Sunbird etc.

The “Gliding Lizard” and “Golden Gecko” are famous reptiles.

21. It has one of the richest temple administration, TTD (Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam)The major source of its income is Kanuka or Hundi offerings. Besides this, the sale of prasadam, darshan tickets, sale of seva tickets, sale of human hair, and receipts from choultries (places of accommodation) are the other significant sources of income.

The gross income of TTD for the current year (2014-15) is estimated to be Rs.2359.2 crores($385.33 mn). So, that is about Rs.6.34 crores($1.036 mn) per day.

23. It has free transport.The free bus services operated by TTD in Tirumala are known as “Dharma Radhams”. There are 12 such buses that pass through cottages, choultries, temples and other places in Tirumala, at a frequency of every 3 minutes in the prescribed time slots.

24.The Garuda Hill in Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, features a natural rock formation that is in the form of Garuda (the eagle).

Incidentally, it turns out that Garuda is also the vehicle of Lord Venkateswara.

25. 300 years old "TIRUPATI LADDU" has a global patent.

It got the patent rights under theGeographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act; to counter the black market that was developing. Around 150,000 laddus are made daily. Each laddu weighs around 100gms, and is said to be made by a group of priests called “Archakas” in a special temple kitchen called “poku”.

26. The ambulance, a specially outfitted truck costing Rs. 13 lakh, has been funded by the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust of Scotland. It uses a hydraulic system to haul animals into its stalls and can also be used for shifting stray dogs.

27. The most visited place of worship of the world.Visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily; while on special occasions and festivals like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000 and more, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.

28. Tirumala temple has gold reserves and 52 tonnes of gold ornaments ( including antique gold ornaments and vessels of deity donated by kings and even British rulers since over 1000 years) which are worth over Rs 37,000 crore as per latest estimates. Every year it converts over 3000 kg of gold received in hundi from pilgrims as gold reserve deposits with nationalised banks.

29. The Tirumala Hill is 853m above sea level and is about 10.33 square miles (27 km2) in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha thus earning the name Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.

30. Tirumala Tirupati is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and wealth, and the most-visited place of worship in the world.The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually on average), while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.

31.Lord Vishnu is worshiped in the Temple as per Vaikhanasa traditions. The ancient texts of the sage Marichi (the Bhagvad Shastram and Vimanarchana Kalpam) state that Lord Vishnu here should be worshipped six times a day.

UshaKala Aradhana — worship (or Aradhana) should start and finish before sunrise

Prathakala Aradhana — worship should start after sunrise and finish before noon

Madhyanika Aradhana — worship should start and finish at noon

Aparahana Aradhana — worship should start when the sun starts to descend

SandhyaKala Aradhana — worship should start and finish around the sunset

Ardharatri Aradhana — worship should start after the horizon is completely dark.

32. Many devotees have their head tonsured as "Mokku", an offering to God. The daily amount of hair collected is over a ton. The hair thus gathered is sold by the temple organisation a few times a year by Public Auction to international buyers for use as hair extension and in cosmetics, bringing over $6 million to the temple's treasury.This is the second highest income generating activity in the temple next to the Hundi Collection.

Nitya Anna Danam is a daily programme conducted by TTD about 1,20,000 People will be served daily.

33. A Cowherd or " Sannidhi Golla" is the first person to open doors and enter the girbagriha and light the lamps. The family line of Cowherd has maintained the legacy all these years by blessing of lord Tirumala.