Significance:
This is a modern temple (consecrated in 1976) built
of white marble on top of a hill, dominating the skyline of Hyderabad. The Birlas (industrialists
who have also built several temples in India in this century) built this temple. The
presiding deity here is Venkateswara (Vishnu).
Architecture: This temple displays a mixture of architectural styles. A
Rajagopuram built in the South Indian style greets the visitors. The tower over the main
shrine of Venkateswara called the Jagadananda vimanam
is built in the Orissan style while the towers over the shrines of the consorts are built
in the South Indian style. The brass flagstaff rises to a height of 42 feet.
The granite image of
the presiding deity is about 11 feet tall and a carved lotus forms an umbrella for this
image. There are several carvings in marble, in the adjoining mukha mandapam - depicting
scenes from Indian mythology. The temple is floodlit at nights.
Other
shrines in the temple:The consorts of
Venkateswara Padmavathi and Andal are housed in separate shrines.
Worship
and festivals: Although modern in
construction worship is carried out as per the traditional Agama rules, the Pancharatra
Agama in particular.
See Also:
Tirupati
The Ten Incarnations of Vishnu
Indian Temple Architecture
Birla Mandir - New Delhi