Situated on the eastern coast along the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, Orissa offers to the world magnificent temples, sunny beaches, colourful wildlife, traditional tribal culture and a rich heritage. While several temples have vanished or have declined in importance, the great temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri is still a living and vibrant temple. Over the centuries it has attracted kings, conquerors, religious teachers, devotees and pilgrims. In the minds of the millions of Indians, Orissa is the land of Jagannath. This temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in India, one of the four abodes (dhamas) of the divine that lie on the four directions of the compass.

The present temple is a rekha deula with curviliner tower on a Pancha Ratha plan. It was built by Ananta Barma Chodaganga Dev during 12th century A.D and was completed by his grandson Ananga Bhima Dev. This temple is one of the tallest monuments in the country, the height of which is about 214 feet from the ground level. It stands on an elevated platform of stone measuring about 10 acres, located in the heart of the town and presents an imposing sight. The temple is bounded by two enclosures. The inner enclosure is 400' x 278 'size and known as Kurma Bedha. The outer enclosure is of 665' x 644' size with the height varying from 20 'to 24 ' is and popularly known as Meghanad Prachir. The temple has four gates, the eastern, southern, western, and northern midpoints of the Meghanad Prachir and is called Lions gate, Horse gate, Tiger gate and the Elephant gate respectively. The temple has got four halls in a row such as Viman (main temple where Lord Jagannath is worshipped with brother Balabhadra, sister Subhadra and Sudarshan), Jagamohan (Audience hall), Natamandap (Dance hall) and the Bhoga Mandap (offering hall).

Tour Planner

Puri - Konarak - Bhubaneshwar : 5 Nights / 6 Days

Day 01: Bhubaneshwar
Arrive in Bhubaneshwar and check into hotel. In the afternoon take city tour covering Parasurameswara Temple, Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Lingraja Temple and stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Bhubaneshwar
Go for a full day excursion to Buddhist triangle of Udaigiri, Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri and stay overnight at hotel in Bhubaneshwar.

Day 03: Bhubaneshwar - Puri
Proceed to Puri, the pious Indian town, by surface and check into the hotel. Afternoon is free to relax at the beach or explore the town on your own.

Day 04: Puri
Today we will see famous temple of Lord Jagannath, and Loknath Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Puri - Konarak - Bhubaneshwar
After breakfast drive to Bhubaneshwar, enroute you will see famous sun Temple at Konark - known as crowning glory of Orissan temple art. Arrive and check into hotel at Bhubaneshwar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Depart - Bhubaneshwar
Transfer to airport to take the flight to your onward destination.

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. It is by the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara. The benefits acquired by a piligrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.

The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice. The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.

Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya is referred to in several Puranas, of which the most important are the Varaha Purana and the Bhavishyottara Purana. The printed work contains extracts from the Varaha Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Harivamsa, Vamana Purana, Brahma Purana, Brahmottara Purana, Aditya Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana. Most of these extracts describe the sanctity and antiquity of the hills around Tirumala and the numerous teerthams situated on them.

The legends taken from the Venkatachala Mahatmya and the Varaha Purana, pertaining to the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala, are of particular interest. According to the Varaha Purana, Adi Varaha manifested Himself on the western bank of the Swami Pushkarini, while Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara came to reside on the southern bank of the Swami Pushkarini. One day, Rangadasa, a staunch devotee of Vishnu, in the course of his pilgrimage, joined Vaikhanasa Gopinatha, who was going up the Tirumala Hill for the daily worship of Lord Venkateswara. After bathing in the Swami Pushkarini, he beheld the lotus-eyed and blue-bodied Vishnu beneath a tamarind tree. Vishnu was exposed to the sun, wind and rain and was only protected by the extended wings of Garuda. Rangadasa was astounded by the wonderful sight. He raised a rough wall of stones around the deity, and started supplying flowers faithfully to Gopinatha everyday for Vishnu's worship. One day, Rangadasa was distracted by a Gandharva king and his ladies. Consequently, he forgot to supply flowers to Gopinatha for Vishnu's worship. The Lord then revealed Himself and told Rangadasa that He had been testing the latter's continence, but Rangadasa had not been steadfast and had succumbed to temptation.

However, the Lord accepted and appreciated Rangadasa's devoted service to Him till then, and blessed Rangadasa that he would be reborn as an affluent ruler of a province and would enjoy the earthly pleasures. He would continue to serve the Lord, construct a beautiful temple with a vimana and high surrounding walls, and thereby earn eternal glory. Rangadasa was reborn as Tondaman, the son of the royal couple, Suvira and Nandini. Tondaman enjoyed a pleasurable life as a young man. One day, he set out on a hunting expedition on the Tirumala Hill, and with the help of a forester, saw Vishnu under the tamarind tree. Tondaman returned home, deeply affected by the vision of Vishnu. Tondaman later inherited his father's kingdom, Tondamandalam. In accordance with the directions given by Adi Varaha to a forester, Tondaman constructed a prakaram and dvara gopura, and arranged for regular worship of the Lord (according to Vaikhanasa Agama).

In the Kali Yuga, Akasaraja came to rule over Tondamandalam. His daughter Padmavathi was married to Venkateswara. The marriage, officiated by Brahma, was celebrated with great pomp and splendour. All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions. It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple. After the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.

ITINERARY OF TIRUPATI TOUR IN INDIA

Tour Planner

Chennai-Tirupati-Chennai-Delhi : 3 Nights / 4 Days

Day01: Delhi - Chennai
Arrive in Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu in India, and check in at the hotel. Afternoon is free for sightseeing tour in Chennai. Overnight at hotel.

Day02: Chennai
Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Overnight at the hotel in Chennai.

Day03: Chennai - Tirupati
Departure by surface to Tirupati. On arrival check in at the hotel. After lunch, proceed to visit the Tirupati Temple. Overnight Stay and dinner at hotel.

Day04: Tirupati - Chennai
After breakfast leave by surface to Chennai airport to take a flight to your next destination.